EVENTS

The Federal government has announced that they have assigned government lawyers to try to prevent seriously and incurably ill Canadians from seeking the assistance of a physician in a medically assisted death. Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P., posted the announcement that the government would appeal the BCCLA�s successful �death with dignity� case on the Attorney General�s website....more

The BCCLA says three families who called the RCMP for assistance with family members over a five week period are now coping with major injuries caused during the RCMP intervention. The injured include a 15 year old girl in Prince Rupert whose arm was broken by an RCMP officer; Robert Wright who suffered a serious head and brain injury while in Terrace RCMP cells after his wife called police out of concern for his safety; and, William Watts, who received serious head injuries in Terrace when he was arrested after calling police for assistance with his sister. ...more

The Military Police Complaints Commission released its Final Report following its inquiry into the conduct of the military police relating to the transfer of detainees captured by Canadian Forces in Afghanistan to risk of torture in Afghan prisons. The Commission�s public interest hearing was established in response to complaints filed by Amnesty International Canada and the BCCLA in 2007. These complaints were filed as part of an effort by the two human rights organizations to have the legalities of the policy and practice of Afghan prisoner transfers examined. ...more

The BCCLA is pleased that the Province and BC�s police oversight bodies have reversed their previously dismissive attitudes towards the organization�s concerns about the Paul Boyd case. After the release of the Paul Boyd shooting video, the BCCLA called for the Boyd file to be re-opened, marking the BCCLA�s third such call for review. But unlike previous requests, the BCCLA received notice that the Coroners� Service of B.C. was re-opening their file on the death. In addition, the BCCLA was notified that the Police Complaint Commissioner, Minister of Justice and Vancouver Police Department had asked an outside police agency, Alberta�s �ASIRT� team, to re-investigate the file. ...more

The BCCLA is excited to announce that lawyer Lindsay Lyster is the organization�s new President. Lindsay, who practices labour law with Vancouver firm Moore Edgar Lyster, was previously the Association�s Vice-President. She replaces Robert Holmes, Q.C., who stepped down after five years in the role. The Association�s Board and staff thank Rob for his years of work for our organization, and welcome Lindsay into her new responsibilities as head of the BCCLA. ...more

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