The BCCLA took on the issue of police street checks in 2018. A police street check is a discretionary police practice where police stop a person in public, question them outside the context of an arrest or detention, and often … Read More
Features Blog
Letter from the Board President to the Community
Posted onWords matter. Context matters. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association supports the cherished right to free expression, and as an organization we want our messages to be clear. A tweet by our executive director on her personal account failed in … Read More
Announcement from the BCCLA Board of Directors
Posted onIt is with heavy hearts that the Board of Directors of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has accepted the resignation of our executive director, Harsha Walia. The Board and Staff thank her for her bold, skillful, and compassionate … Read More
Thank you to our Communications and Development Volunteers!
Posted onJoin us in saying thank you to Tomila and Alexandra who have been supporting us in virtual engagement, outreach, and event planning over the last few months. We are sad to see them go but excited to see what they … Read More
Announcing our 2020 Liberty Awards Winners
Posted onThe Liberty Awards celebrate exceptional individuals and organizations who have made contributions to advancing civil liberties and human rights in Canada. Winners are selected from a list of nominations made by the BCCLA’s supporters and members of the public. We’re … Read More
Challenging Anti-Asian Racism at the Cullen Commission
Posted onAnti-Asian racism has played a significant role in public discourse about money laundering in British Columbia. There is a disproportionate focus on money from China in news stories about money laundering and a strong tendency to conflate foreign money with … Read More
Bill C-15 & Implementing UNDRIP: What should this mean for the First Nations, Inuit and the Métis in relationship to Canada?
Posted onThe answer to that question ultimately lies with the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis rights holders. However, the government of Canada is once again debating the application of United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ (UNDRIP) in Canada, … Read More
Proposed property seizure law erodes civil rights
Posted onImagine a future in which the government can force you to explain how you obtained any piece of property you own, without needing to show any link to criminal activity. That’s exactly what “unexplained wealth orders” could do, allowing the … Read More
Bill C-22 Aims to Address Systemic Overrepresentation in the Criminal Legal System, but Does it Go Far Enough?
Posted onLast month, the federal government tabled Bill C-22, proposing several amendments to Canada’s criminal law and drug laws. The bill proposes removing mandatory minimums for all drug offences under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) and for some offences … Read More
Stopping Alberta’s Assault on Democracy During the Pandemic
Posted onWhat is happening? Alberta’s Bill 10 is one of the most far-reaching responses to the COVID-19 pandemic made by a provincial government. The Alberta government, led by Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party, rushed this bill into law after only two days … Read More
