The BCCLA announced the winners from their first-ever Mary McDonald student essay contest. The contest awards the best post-secondary student essay on a human rights or civil liberties topic that is a focus of the BCCLA. The winners of the 2009 essay contest were:

First place: University of Victoria student Laura Atkinson for her essay: “Finding a Home for Social and Economic Rights in Canada”

Second place: University of British Columbia student Laura Best for her essay: “Standing Against Justice? A Critique of the Canadian Approach to Public Interest Standing”

Third place: University of British Columbia student Vandana Sood for her essay: “Civil Liberties in Conflict: The Niqab in the Courtroom”

“We were very pleased to see such strong essays competing in the first year of this contest,” said David Eby, Executive Director of the BCCLA. “All of the essays were of the highest calibre and reflect cutting edge issues in human rights and civil liberties.”

The 2010 Mary McDonald Essay Contest deadline is June 1, 2010. This prize was established by the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) in 2009 to honour the memory of Mary B. McDonald, a director of the board and retired librarian, in recognition of her personal dedication to protecting civil liberties and human rights.

The best post-secondary essay on a human rights or civil liberties topic that is a current focus of the BCCLA will receive a prize of $500. The intent of this Essay Prize is to promote student interest in current civil liberties and human rights issues in Canada. Essays should be sent, along with contact information for the author, to [email protected] .

MEDIA CONTACTS:
David Eby, Executive Director, 778-865-7997