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On March 31, 2003, amendments to the B.C. Human Rights Code came into effect. Formal complaints of discrimination are now filed directly with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.  Further amendments come into effect on January 1, 2008 which will provide more protection against age-based discrimination.  The News section of the Tribunal's website explains the changes and more information is available on the Attorney General's website. 

Assistance and Representation

In partnership with the Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS), we run a provincial human rights clinic that provides assistance and representation to those who need help with a provincial human rights complaint.  Our Clinic page provides detail on this service and its intake procedures.

In addition to the above, every Monday between 10 and 4 an Advocate is on-site at the Tribunal's offices in Vancouver to provide additional assistance to those who have difficulty framing complaints or replying to applications. This onsite service is on a first come first serve basis.  

Education

We have a comphrensive education program which is offered province wide.  We also provide consultation services to those designing and implementing human rights policies and procedures. Our Education Section outlines options or you may contact us directly. 

Information

Information about human rights, the Human Rights Code, and how to file a complaint is available on this site, from the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, the Ministry of the Attorney General, and through Government Agent offices across BC.  If you can't find something, call us. 

Looking for online resources regarding human rights?  We've compiled a listing of fact sheets, guides and policies from sources across the country.  The materials are sorted by issue with brief descriptions and links to the source document.  A pdf version is availabe here.

What's New:

2008-04-16  Job Posting - Lay Advocate 2008

2008-01-14  Amendments to BC's Human Rights Code came into effect on January 1, 2008 which provide more protection against age-based discrimination.  The News section of the Tribunal's website explains the changes and more information is available on the Attorney General's website. 

2007-12-06  A new edition of our Newsletter outlines the changes to BC's Human Rights Code, highlights a case that has increased injury to dignity awards in BC, provides a summary of our Bias Free Security Project and talks about this years Renate Shearer Award recipient. 

2007-11-21  Join us for our annual celebration of International Human Rights Day.  This year's event takes place at the Law Courts Inn, 4th Floor - 800 Smithe Street in Vancouver on Monday, December 10th, 2007 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.  The Renate Shearer Award will be presented to Frances Kelly of the Community Legal Assistance Society for the outstanding contribution she has made in terms of advancing the equality rights of disadvantaged groups.  The evening will also include a special presentation of Sharon McIvor's flagship case on Aboriginal women's rights.    View an online invitation.

2007-09-24  The Coalition's most recent Annual Report for the period ending March 31, 2007 is now available online. 

2007-09-17  Security and You:  Know Your Rights.  The Coalition has launched a rights kit that raises awareness and increases public knowledge of rights and responsibilities when interacting with private security guards.  A wallet sized rights card, a brochure and a supplementary website – www.securityandyou.ca - explain what guards can and cannot do, what the public’s rights are when interacting with guards and how to make a complaint against a guard.  Cards and brochures can be downloaded from www.securityandyou.ca or you can contact the Coalition directly. 

2007-06-01  Amendments to the Human Rights Code were passed yesterday and will take effect January 1, 2008.  The amendments effectively abolish mandatory retirement for those wanting to work past age 65 and extend protection against age discrimination into the area of the Code that applies to services and facilities.  Read our press release here and refer to the further information below. 

2007-04-25  The Ministry of the Attorney General proposed amendments to the Human Rights Code today that would eliminate mandatory retirement.  Bill 31 proposes both an expanded definition of age to include protection to those over age 64 as well as extending age protection into an area of the Code where it is not currently available.  A Ministry news release and backgrounder with FAQ’s is available.  The Coalition is reviewing the proposed changes and will detail a position soon.  You can review our submission to the Premiers Senior’s Council on Aging and Senior’s Issues, our February and July 2005 newsletters and the law reform section of our website for general positions on many of these issues. 

2007-04-23  The Ministry of the Attorney General has revised their series of information pamphlets on human rights protections in British Columbia.  Seven separate pamphlets are available in English, Mandarin, and Punjabi. 

2007-03-28  Angela Schira, this year's recipient of the Rosemary Brown Award for Women, will be honoured in a ceremony at Government House in Victoria on Wednesday, April 4, 2007.  Read the full media release. 

2007-01-12  The Coalition is seeking to fill hire an Advocate to work in our human rights clinic program.  Applications are invited and will be accepted by qualified applicants until 5 pm January 22, 2007.  A full job description is provided here. 

2006-11-27  Join us for our annual celebration of International Human Rights Day.  This year's event takes place at JJ's Dining Room, Vancouver Community College on Wednesday, December 6th, 2006 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.  An invitation is available here and a media advisory provides detail on this year's Award recipient.

2006-10-17  Our October 2006 Newsletter with a separate FAQ section on sexual harassment is now available.  Link to past issues here. 

2006-09-29  The Coalition's most recent Annual Report for the period ending March 31, 2006 is now available online. 

2006-09-27  The Coalition has been awarded project funding from the Law Foundation of British Columbia to implement a three-pronged approach towards bias-free security.  Read the press release here for further details. 

2006-09-08  The Coalition's Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at People's Law School (150-900 Howe Street Vancouver).  We are pleased to announce, The Honourable Wally Oppal, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, as our special guest.  Please call for more information.

2006-08-31  Read our submission to the Premier's Council on Aging and Seniors' Issues.  We recommend our human rights legislation ought to be strengthened in a number of areas in order to adequately reflect the needs of older British Columbians. 

2006-06-08  Our June 2006 Newsletter is now available.  Link to past issues here.

2006-06-08  View a brief position statement on the Direct Access Tribunal.

2006-03-15  Our March 2006 Newsletter is now available.  Link to past issues here.

2005-12-15  Read our submission to the Federal Labour Standards Review Committee.  We suggest current provision's within the Code should be extended to include all grounds and all forms of workplace discrimination.

2005-11-25  November 2005 Newsletter.  Separate Q & A Section looks at Pre-Employment Practises.   Link to past issues here.

2005-11-14  Join us for our annual celebration of International Human Rights Day.  This year's event takes place at JJ's Dining Room, Vancouver Community College on Thursday, December 8th, 2005 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm.  An invitation is available here and a media advisory provides detail on this year's Award recipient.

2005-09-28  The Coalition's most recent annual report is available.  An online pdf version is available, or call us and we'll send one out to you. 

2005-09-19  The Annual General Meeting of the B.C. Human Rights Coalition will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 at 6:00 p.m at the Blue Horizon Hotel in downtown Vancouver.  Please call for information.

2005-07-06  July 2005 Newsletter.  Separate Q & A Section looks at Harassment.  Link to past issues.

2005-04-11 Law Reform Issues as presented in four page newsletter style.  First of a series of Issues to be presented by our Law Reform Committee. PDF version. 

2005-03-30  Check out our new FAQ section.  Quick answers to frequent questions.

2005-02-25  February 2005 Newsletter.  Separate Q & A Section looks at Employer / Employee Accommodation obligations and responsibilities.  Link to past issues.

2005-01-14  New section on Grounds of Protection under the B.C. Human Rights Code.  Includes definitions, caselaw and examples of each ground of protection.

2004-12-01  Join us in celebrating International Human Rights Day at the Blue Horizon Hotel, Garibaldi Room, December 9th from 6 pm - 8:30 pm.  The United Nations Association will be presenting the Renate Shearer Award to Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada this year. 

2004-11-19  Read our submission to the Canadian Human Rights Commission in response to their Looking Ahead document. 

2004-11-01  The Coalition joins with others in calling on the B.C. Hate Crimes team to conduct an investigation as to whether recent Anti-Semitic remarks may contravene Canada's anit-hate crime laws.  Read the full release.

2004-10-15  Effective today, The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal announced changes to their Rules of Practice and Procedure, a number of Tribunal Forms, and Information sheets.  In addition, the Chair announced a new Practice Direction.  Link directly to the announcement here.  This annoucement also informed us that the B.C. Human Rights Code has been amended in order to incorporate certain sections of the Administrative Tribunals Act that now apply to the Human Rights Tribunal. 

2004-10-15  Download a pdf version of our October 2004 Newsletter.  All Newsletters can be found by following this link.

2004-09-27  The Canadian Human Rights Commission is inviting comments from stakeholders in relation to recent reforms it has implemented and in its plans for continued improvement.  Their document, "Looking Ahead," sets the framework and provides the context of discussion and should be referred to by those wishing to comment.  Submissions are due at the Canadian Commission November 1, 2004.  We will post our submission in mid to late October. 

2004-06-15  Download a pdf version of our June 2004 Newsletter.  All Newsletters can be found by following this link.

2004-06-08  Looking for online resources regarding human rights?  We've compiled a listing of fact sheets, guides and policies from sources across the country.  The materials are sorted by issue with brief descriptions and links to the source document.  A pdf version is availabe here.

2004-06-07   The Coalition's most recent annual report is available.  An online pdf version is available, or call us and we'll send one out to you. 

2004-03-26  Earlier this week, the third reading of Bill 3, the Cremation, Internment, and Funeral Services Act, resulted in the government repealing the right of same-sex couples to control the remains of their loved ones.  Read our letter urging the government to reconsider its decision. 

The Coalition has produced an updated version of our "Human Rights, Your Rights To Know" booklet.  The booklet is written in plain language and explains what protections the provincial human rights law provides, how you can make a complaint and who can help you.  An online pdf version is available or call in your request.

Information on this site is meant for general purposes only. If you require specific advice regarding a human rights situation, please contact us directly.

In accordance with the provisions of the Personal Information Protection Act, as of January 1, 2004 Ms. Marilyn Minkler will be the BC Human Rights Coalition's Privacy Officer.  For any requests or inquiries on privacy matters, Ms. Minkler may be contacted at the Coalition or through email at marilyn@bchrcoalition.org.

For information on privacy generally, or to obtain a copy of the Personal Information Protection Act, please access the Privacy Commissioner of BC website at www.oipc.bc.ca.

The Coalition gratefully acknowledges special funding received from the Law Foundation of BC and the Notary Foundation of BC for the creation and maintenance of this site.