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Welcome                                         Contact Us/Media

FAQ's          FAQ's

for Complainants      for Respondents

If you're looking to file a complaint and need answers to the who, what, how and when to file, follow this link ... Filing Your Complaint. Are you a complainant looking for us to represent you? See our How to Apply for Representation page.

If you need to defend yourself against a complaint and need answers to the who, what, how of defending yourself see Responding to a Complaint.  Want to understand the law around applying to have a case dismissed - Check here.

If you are a respondent looking to get free

legal representation contact the Law Centre.

Information about human rights, the Human Rights Code, and how to file a complaint or respond to a complaint is available on this site, or from the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, the Ministry of the Attorney General, and through Service BC offices across BC.  If you can't find something, email or call us 604-689-8474 or toll free 1-877-689-8474.

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 dealing with a provincial human rights complaint.  Our Clinic page provides detail on this service and its intake procedures and How to Apply for Representation

In addition to the above, every Monday between 9:30 and 4:00 an Advocate is on-site at the Tribunal's offices in Vancouver to provide additional assistance to those who have difficulty understanding if they have complaints, framing complaints, or replying to applications. This onsite service is on a first come first serve basis. 

Our section on Grounds of Protection under the B.C. Human Rights Code.  Includes definitions, caselaw and examples of each ground of protection

Information

Confused about the difference between the BC Human Rights Tribunal and the BC Human Rights Coalition? We find that many people are so we have a chart to explain what each party does at each step in the process.

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.  Pdf version.

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.

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. 

What's New

                     Rosemary Brown Award for Women

           2013 Recipient - Alice West (Slide show)

Alice was a fearless pioneer for the rights for women in the workplace at a time when women were not regarded as equals in the workplace. She fought for gender-based pay equity, and continues to fight for retirement security for elder women. (Details)

              (Alice West receives the Award, June 7th, 2013)

December 12th, 2012 - International Human Rights Day Celebration

The B.C. Human Rights Coalition and the United Nations Association in Canada, Vancouver Branch celebrated International Human Rights Day, Wednesday, December 12, 2012.

This was the 64th Anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 24th Anniversary of the Renate Shearer Award. Each year, this memorial Award is presented to someone who has made an outstanding contribution in the filed of human rights. This Award is a memorial to the life and work of Renate Shearer who was a champion of equality and dignity for all.

This the Reanate Shearer Award was presented to CoDevelopement Canada (CoDev) in recognition of the exemplary committment to a social justice and international development throughout the Americas. CoDev's programs areas include Education Rights, Human Rights, Labour Rights and Public Engagement.

Joey Hartman - Chair, and Barbara Woods - Executive Director of CoDev accepted the award on behalf of CoDevelopment Canada.

(Dara Parker, UNAC presents the Renate Shearer Award to CoDevelopment Canada)

(Susan O'Donnell,                   (Blue Grooves Trio)              (VCC, Culinary Dep., JJs)

Executive Director of the

BC Human Rights Coalition)

Veiw the slideshow of the event here.

New paper by the Coalition- "The BC Human Rights System Explained" This paper explains how we got to where we are today and how the various orantizations involved in human rights fit together.        

Social Condition - the state of being poor, homeless or otherwise disadvanteged is protected in only some human rights legislation, although Canada has committed to the UN to address the issue. See our recent paper discussing the topic and current provincial legislation.

Human trafficking is a global problem. Canada has been identified as both a transit and a destination point for human trafficking, and Vancouver has been singled out by the U.S. state department as a port of major concern. In 2007 British Columbia established the Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP). OCTIP is focused on he protection of trafficked persons and on the prevention of human trafficking. The Office will also assist law enforcement in the prosecution of human trafficking offenders.  Our Human Trafficking page has more information on the topic.

The latest copy of our Newsletter is now available. Link to past issues of the newsletter.

Annual Report

A copy of the Coalition's latest Annual Report covering the reporting period to March 31, 2011 is now available. At that General meeting a new Board of Directors was elected.  (Older Annual Reports)

Mandatory Retirement

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. 

Education

We have a comprehensive 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. 

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. 

Past News  (link to past stories)

Information on this site is meant for general purposes only. If you require detailed information regarding a human rights situation, please contact us directly, or seek legal Counsel.

In accordance with the provisions of the Personal Information Protection Act, Ms. Marilyn Minkler is 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. Webmaster robyn@bchrcoalition.org                                                     

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