Searching for “normal”: A report from a first time mental health advocate
This week I had my first Mental Health Review Board hearing as a legal advocate. As tends to happen with firsts, the experience left a strong impression on me. So much about the hearing process is new to me – the […]
CLAS successfully defends access to justice at the BC Court of Appeal
In a recent BC Court of Appeal decision engaging significant access to justice and freedom of religion issues, CLAS was successful in defending our client’s rights.
Our client filed a human rights complaint against the Province of BC, specifically the […]
Complaint seeking access to life saving health care for prisoners can proceed
Is it in the public interest to ensure that prisoners have access to life saving medication? That was the situation faced by our client. He was denied his HIV medication 36 times over a two year period. His doctor thought it […]
The main obstacle for our mental health program clients is often not their health; it’s housing
As an Advocate, I work closely with my clients while they challenge their certification under the Mental Health Act. A common concern repeatedly raised by clients is about access to and the quality of affordable housing moving forward from hospitalization. A common […]
CLAS defends tenants against extraordinary rent increase
CLAS is representing several tenants of Crest Estates manufactured home park in Nanaimo in a judicial review about whether their landlord is entitled to increase their rent by up to 76%. Many of the tenants have lived at Crest Estates for […]
Tim Hortons denies responsibility for working conditions of temporary foreign workers
For Immediate Release
Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories
In recent media releases, Tim Hortons has defended its use of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in its franchises, and affirmed a commitment to “create a positive, fair work environment for all of [its] team members”.
Why, […]
CLAS applauds Privacy Commissioner’s recommendations to fix employment related record checks
The Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) endorses the recommendations made today by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, calling on government and police boards to immediately stop disclosing non-conviction information as part of employment – related record checks outside […]
CLAS heads to the Court of Appeal to defend access to justice at the BC Human Rights Tribunal
CLAS will be heading to the BC Court of Appeal seeking to uphold a decision of the BC Human Rights Tribunal that engages freedom of religion and access to justice rights.
By way of background, our client had been charged with criminal […]
CLAS successfully defends injured workers’ rights to benefits and a safe return to work
In March, I argued a judicial review about whether an injured worker was entitled to continue collecting temporary wage loss benefits after an attempted return to work worsened his workplace injury.
Anthony Sooke was injured at work in 2011. Like most people […]