50 Years
29th March 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of CLAS.
SHARP Workplaces
The Department of Justice Canada (DOJ) approves funding of $2.3 million for a 4.5-Year project to provide province-wide legal advice, ancillary referrals and educational services to persons alleging Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (SHARP Workplaces) in partnership with the Ending Violence […]
Growth
With the LSS funding increases and a funding boost from the Law Foundation, we reach a staffing level of over 40 staff and an operating budget of over $3.8 million.
Demand for Representation
LSS conducted a review of our Mental Health Law Program to address the ongoing increase demand for representation for persons detained under the Mental Health Act in or through psychiatric facilities throughout the province. As a result of the review, LSS […]
BC Human Rights Coalition Merger
Our partner organization, the BC Human Rights Coalition, merges with CLAS, and since April 2015 the BC Human Rights Clinic has operated under the management of CLAS. Seven of the Coalition’s staff joined CLAS and the Coalition’s budget of $540,000 was […]
Funding Cut
A significant funding cut from the Law Foundation, and, to a lesser degree, from the Ministry of Attorney General, resulted in a reduction to 31 staff. To keep operating, we reduced the salaries of senior lawyers, restructured staff positions and we […]
Community Advocate Support Line
The Community Advocate Support Line (CASL) is transferred from LSS to being operated under the CLAS umbrella.
Poverty Law Services
The Poverty Law Services Project was expanded by two more lawyers and the requisite support staff. This brought our staffing level to 37.
Late 2008 marked the beginning of a global economic recession that impacted CLAS for the next decade and beyond.
Permanent Funding
Received what has since become permanent funding for an Articling Fellowship, which allowed us to hire an articling student each year. The Fellowship became the “David Mossop, QC, Public Interest Articling Fellowship”, in recognition of David Mossop, who has been a […]
Increased Funding
Received increased funding for a new Poverty Law Services Project, staffed by one lawyer and one support staff.