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BC Civil Liberties Association

@bccla.bsky.social
1.6K followers 404 following 238 posts

Equality. Liberty. Freedom. Justice. Fighting for civil liberties and human rights since 1962 through Litigation, Law Reform & Public Legal Education. bccla.org/donate

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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Press Release: BCCLA celebrates Supreme Court of Canada decision to require disclosure of police misconduct to accused persons Read the Full Release: ow.ly/wbg850ZhGgp
Quote reads over a purple background: “This is a big win for the rights of the accused and police accountability. Instead of sweeping past misconduct under the rug, police forces will have to take meaningful action to reform their accountability measures.” -Vibert Jack, BCCLA Litigation Director

A photo of Vibert smiling is in the bottom right corner.
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
For 21 years, BCCLA has gathered students from across the Lower Mainland to come together & critically engage in emerging civil liberty issues and learn about their rights. This April, BCCLA held our biggest Youth Conference yet! Check it out: bit.ly/4e4PcM7
a group of students sitting around a table laughinga group of students raising red and green flags in response to a question on a projector at the front of the room that reads "Question #16: The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable is protected by our constitution" a teacher and five students
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Have you had a negative interaction with police in BC? Check out our new Pathways to Police Accountability toolkit for what you can do after the police have violated your rights. Download the toolkit today: bccla.org/resource/pat...
Multiple white, gray and purple arrows pointing at the title "Pathways to Police Accountability Toolkit" with the BC Civil Liberties Association's logo in the top right corner. All over a purple background.
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
BCCLA Reacts: Fairy Creek Class Action Recognized as Preferable to RCMP Oversight Body for Charter Violations Read our Full Response: bccla.org/2026/05/bccl...
"The Court confirmed the important role a class action can play in providing access to justice in cases of police overreach during protests and acts of civil disobedience." - Katie Duke, Counsel for BCCLA
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Media Advisory: BCCLA at Alberta Court of Appeal to Defend Lifesaving Overdose Prevention Services Read the Media Advisory: ow.ly/Oa6q50YVM5U
“When governments choose to provide lifesaving health services to vulnerable people, and those individuals come to rely on them for survival, withdrawing that support is not neutral; it is state action with real consequences. This challenge is about preventing Governments from sidestepping Charter scrutiny by reframing their duties through the ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ right lens.” - Jerome Igbokwe, BCCLA Staff Counsel
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
BCCLA has joined over 80+ civil society leaders from faith, labour, enviro, legal, academic & arts communities to stand together for human rights and reconciliation – calling on #BCgov to recommit to implementing not amending #DRIPA. Read the statement: www.wcel.org/DeclarationAct
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
BCCLA strongly condemns the reported use of force by Durham Regional Police Service officers against Sudine Riley, a Black defence lawyer, inside the Oshawa Courthouse while she was performing her professional duties. Read our Full Commentary: ow.ly/qi4h50Y7Wrx
White text on purple background: 
"Given the extraordinary powers vested in police officers, the public is entitled to a system of oversight that is transparent, independent, and beyond reproach."
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Everyone has the right to the safety and dignity of shelter. As the cold weather sets in, shelter is an undeniable necessity—whether you live in an apartment or a tent. We’re counting on your support as we fight against the ban on daytime sheltering. 📌 give-can.keela.co/donate-dayti...
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
BCCLA needs your help. Alongside three individual plaintiffs, we are challenging the City of Vancouver's cruel and deadly ban on daytime sheltering. Will you answer our call and donate today? 📌 give-can.keela.co/donate-dayti...
White text on red background reads: HELP BCCLA TAKE THE CITY TO COURT. BCCLA and three individual plaintiffs are challenging the cruel and deadly ban on daytime sheltering.
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Our DEMCOM: Volume 60 is here! With a new look and feel, this expanded edition will bring you analysis, experiences, and action that brings our time’s pressing social issues to life. Dive right in today 👀➡️: ow.ly/KyhT50XyOEl
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Today is Trans Day of Remembrance. In love, grief, and rage we honour the lives of those who we’ve lost to the violence of transphobia - including violence enacted through policy. We encourage people to join Momentum Canada’s national strategy webinar on Nov.26.
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Smith’s brazen use of the notwithstanding clause should raise alarm not only for workers but for everyone in Canada. Charter rights are OURS to protect. Sign BCCLA’s People’s Pledge: ow.ly/fJaQ50XjYTC
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
After a BCCLA complaint, RCMP admits Fairy Creek exclusion zone “was beyond the scope of [their] authority”. Yet the controversial unit CRU-BC are still lined up to protect "fast tracked" infrastructure projects & suppress Indigenous resistance Read more: ow.ly/4QVg50XenGG
RCMP admits to BCCLA: Fairy Creek exclusion zone “was beyond the scope of [their] authority”

"When I was at camp with Indigenous land defenders, I heard stories about people being stopped by the RCMP. So, when I encountered the RCMP checkpoint for myself I felt compelled to confront the officers and challenge the exclusion zone, as I was sure they did not have the legal authority to block access to the road or the area based on the terms of the injunction order." - Veronica Martisius, BCCLA Staff Counsel
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Canada’s Civil Liberties Organizations - @bccla.bsky.social , @cancivlib.bsky.social and @liguedesdroits.bsky.social - have come together to take a stand against the Alberta government's proposed use of the notwithstanding clause to attack trans rights. Read our Full Letter Today: bit.ly/46MAtDi
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith plans to use the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to pass not one, not two, but three bills to override the rights of Albertans. Take 2 mins to tell her: our rights are off limits! Alberta: bit.ly/46EVnCM Outside Alberta: bit.ly/48whr55
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
BCCLA condemns the Liberal government’s unfounded, biased, and authoritarian decision to bar Irish-language rap group @kneecapceol.bsky.social from Canada, preventing them from performing their October shows. Email your MP and tell them to Reverse Kneecap's Travel Ban! bit.ly/ReverseKneec...
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Canadian governments have started using the notwithstanding clause as if it’s a hall pass to violate our rights without any accountability. We’re not(with)standing for this! Charter rights are ours to protect. ✏️Sign the People's Pledge: bccla.org/campaign/wer...
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
A new research paper shows that an inability to access health and social services, as well non-fatal overdose, was a positively tied to street sweeps. Read the report : www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Lawyers Against Transphobia are holding a conference this September! The conference will be a national, trans-led gathering for lawyers, organizers, and frontline advocates building justice beyond the courtroom. #LaTConference Learn More and Register: ow.ly/1gIz50WRp0a
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Lowering the voting age to 16, expanding the vote to permanent residents, and allowing for electoral reform without a referendum are all changes BCCLA has said to BCs can make to have a more equitable democratic system. Read our submission: bccla.org/policy-submi...
[Title] Advancing Voting Rights in BC

This month, BCCLA called on the BC government to:
Give voting rights to permanent residents.
Lower the voting age to 16.
Make electoral reform without referenda.
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
BCCLA stands with striking Air Canada workers. Read the Air Canada Component of CUPE’s full statement: cupe.ca/liberals-rew...
BCCLA supports striking AIR CANADA workers

“As a proudly unionized workplace, BCCLA stands with striking workers and opposes the government’s heavy-handed approach. The right to strike is a core component of freedom of association protected by the Charter. 

The government’s repeated reliance on Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to order workers to cease strike action undermines these rights, sets a dangerous precedent in collective bargaining, and threatens the dignity and equality of working people. 

At a time when working people are mobilizing to defend their interests, it is essential to protect - not erode - their civil liberties.”

-Hasan Alam, BCCLA President
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
@pivotlegalsociety.bsky.social and BCCLA have developed a resources that explains how to access police information about yourself through a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request. View the resource: bccla.org/resource/a-t...
How to Access Police Information about Yourself through a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request
This guide is specific to municipal police departments in BC and does not apply to the RCMP.
An FOI is a request submitted to a public body asking them to send you any information that they have recorded about a particular topic. 
You can ask specific police departments for any information they have ever collected about you, even if you haven’t been charged with a crime.

What is a Freedom of Information (FOI) request? 
The police have to give you this information about yourself because: 
1.	The police are a public body and,
2.	Public bodies are legally required to respond to requests from the public for their personal information. 
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) entitles you to access and review BC government records, including records that have been collected about you.How to Access Police Information about Yourself through a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request
When can I make an FOI request ?
You can request your information at any time. 
The information you receive through an FOI request from the police includes things like:
Bodycam footage of you, photos and videos that the police took of you and your belongings, police officer’s written notes about you, which departments your information was shared with (e.g. hate crimes unit, graffiti unit, etc.) 
How to Access Police Information about Yourself through a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request:
In-Person (requires printed copy of FOI request form and your photo ID card) or electronically/Email (requires access to technology to fill out form online and ability to take picture of your ID card)
*Note: If you have a limited ability to write in English or a physical disability that interferes with making a written request, you can submit an oral request. 
Filling an FOI Request and application options:
Check out the full guide for templates and help with what to say when filing a request both for specific information requests and broad information requests
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
Tomorrow is the People's Tribunal which is seeking justice for the police killings of Indigenous Peoples. Come together on International Day Against Police Brutality to hold space for what community power and justice can look like!
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
We’re taking the City to court!⚖️Today, BCCLA alongside three individual plaintiffs are filing a lawsuit against the City of Vancouver in a Charter challenge against the ban on sheltering during the day. Read More: bccla.org/campaign/she...
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
Today, the Minister of Education is expected to make an announcement about the Greater Victoria School District (GVSD). Join @PolicingFreeSch at 620 Superior St, Victoria, from 12pm to 1pm in saying NO to SPLOs! Unable to attend? Take remote Zap Action: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Urgent Action! 

Say No to SLPOs in SD61 

Join us tomorrow at the Ministry of Education Office 620 Superior St, Victoria, BC, 12-1 PM to stand in solidarity with the SD61 School Board an their decision to keep SPLOs out of schools!
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
At BCCLA, we're working tirelessly to fight against the rollback of precious, hard-won rights that we’re seeing today in Canada. If liberty, equality, justice, and freedom matter to you, please donate to BCCLA this Giving Tuesday: act.bccla.org/givingtuesda...
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
It's no secret that civil liberties are under attack. BCCLA has spent decades working to safeguard and expand civil liberties and human rights in Canada. We are ready for the fight to protect them, but we need your support. Donate today: act.bccla.org/givingtuesda...
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
This week, our Litigation Staff Counsel, Ga Grant, spoke to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage regarding Indigenous and Palestinian human rights and the violation of those rights through police surveillance and violence. Watch the whole video: youtube.com/watch?v=pux0...
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
BCCLA has always emphasized the importance of choice and agency over bodily autonomy. Individual decisions regarding sexual activity are a decision over one’s body, remuneration or not.
“Sex work must be regarded as part of our fundamental personal autonomy and dignity." Ga Grant, BCCLA Staff Counsel
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Today, BCCLA is in court intervening in Kloubakov v R., challenging the constitutionality of provisions in the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (“PCEPA”) that prevent the procuring and material benefitting from sexual services.
Red umbrella on cobblestone street. The street is in black and white.
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 24/09/2024
Bill C-70, the Countering Foreign Interference Act, raises serious civil liberties concerns. Join Centre for Free Expression on October 1st @ 7 pm to learn more about effectively addressing foreign interference while protecting fundamental rights.
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BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 11/09/2024
Join the Centre for Free Expression to hear about how Bill C-70 Countering Foreign Interference Act raises serious civil liberties concerns. Event Details: October 1st @ 7 pm, online
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