Some examples of cases we are and have been involved in include:

  • Challenging decision-making processes and policies that the Ministry of Employment and
  • Income Assistance use to determine whether persons have physical or mental disabilities that are a barrier to employment
  • Presenting submissions to the Ombudsman’s office regarding systemic problems in the administration of income assistance programs
  • Advocating for change to Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance laws, policies and practices regarding allegations of fraud and overpayment of income assistance benefits
  • Assisting clients to file applications for state-funded legal counsel in BC Supreme Court
  • Representing various anti-poverty organizations in applications for leave to intervene in litigation challenging BC’s legal system
  • Assisting the Farmworkers Legal Advocacy Program with advice and assistance for a group of farmworkers appealing a decision in Tax Court regarding employment assistance
  • Providing legal advice and representation to clients for a proposed constitutional challenge to time limited welfare
  • Supervising the Justice for Girls Advocacy Program
  • Advising and assisting people who have had problems with their gas, electricity and telephone providers
  • Collaborating with the BC Civil Liberties Association and the Legal Services Society to produce a brochure and poster about the provincial Safe Streets Act
  • Challenging the City of Vancouver’s Anti-Panhandling By-law
  • Intervening on behalf of the BC Civil Liberties Association before the RCMP Public Complaints Commission (APEC) Inquiry
  • Representing clients concerned with inadequate transit services for people with disabilities and seniors in the Greater Vancouver Regional District during the recent labour dispute
  • Challenging BC Benefits provisions that denied income assistance benefits to people with outstanding indictable warrants in other provinces
  • Providing legal support to lawyers bringing a class action lawsuit against the federal government for denial of same-sex survivor spouse benefits under the Canada Pension Plan
  • Presenting submissions to the Canadian Democracy and Corporate Accountability Commission on issues such as the need for “living wages” for workers
  • Advocating against fare increases and service rollbacks by the Greater Victoria Transit Authority
  • Advising clients on issues surrounding disability discrimination law reform
  • Advocating on behalf of low-income people faced with rising residential energy costs
  • Informing clients about the legal rights of income assistance applicants and recipients, such as the right to appeal a denial of benefits and problems concerning the information and verification process
  • Assisting clients to prepare submissions to government on anti-poverty and social justice law reform issues
  • Providing summary advice to advocacy groups around the province