Community Forum Series Final Report
By LawMatters, Courthouse Libraries BC Background and Webinar In 2021 the Community Forum series was
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May 2022 Events
Bookmark this post! It will be updated as more events are announced. You can also get frequent updates via our Twitter. Have a suggestion? Email us.
Educating & Helping the Public
Free or low cost events for the general public to understand and use the law. Follow the links to see cost & registration info. All times in Pacific Time unless stated otherwise. See disclaimer
May 1-8 | May 9-15 | May 16-22 | May 23-31
Looking for events for intermediaries? Jump to the next section.
May 9-15, 2022
- Defamation on Social Media (Webinar)
by Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society (PLEO)- What: Can I be sued for something I say on social media? What is safe to share online and what could get me in trouble? Join David Wotherspoon and Jasmine Der, defamation and free speech litigators, for an in depth discussion on defamation on social media.
- When: Monday, May 9th, 2022 Noon to 1:00 PM
- Cost: Free
- Copyright Conversations: Fraudulent Use of Indigenous Art (Webinar)
by Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society (PLEO)- What: In honour of Indigenous Heritage Month, PLEO is pleased to present Copyright Conversations: Fraudulent Use of Indigenous Art. Join PLEO for this session about the ongoing work to expose the widespread sale of fraudulent Northwest Coast artwork and ceremonial artifacts.
- When: Thursday, May 12th, 2022 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
- Cost: Free
May 16-22, 2022
- Becoming a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) (Webinar)
by Refugee Sponsorship Training Program- What: Participants will receive information on the eligibility requirements and application process to become a SAH, as well as how to be added to the mandatory training course, and will have an opportunity to ask questions.
- When: Monday, May 16th, 2022 8:00 AM
- Cost: Free
- RDSP Information Session Level 1 (Webinar)
by Plan Institute- What: Beginner RDSP workshop for those who want to learn what an RDSP is, who qualifies, how to apply for the Disability Tax Credit, and how to open an RDSP. This is best suited to people who want to learn the basics of RDSPs and get general information about the plan. No background knowledge needed to get the most out of this workshop.
- When: Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM
- Cost: Free
- Wills, Trusts and Estate Online Workshop (Webinar)
by Plan Institute- What: Becoming well-informed about wills, trusts and estate planning is necessary to secure the financial future of your loved one with a disability. In this online workshop, you will learn things you should consider when creating a will, ways in which to ensure your loved one is protected when family passes, the types of trusts available, and more.
- When: Thursday, May 19th, 2022 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM
- Cost: $25.00
May 23-31, 2022
- RDSP Information Session Level 2 (Webinar)
by Plan Institute- What: Advanced RDSP workshop for those who already have an RDSP or are deciding where to open their RDSP and want to deepen their knowledge and learn how to maximize growth. This workshop includes more complicated financial information and attendees should already understand RDSP basics and review our glossary of terms before attending this workshop.
- When: Thursday, May 26th, 2022 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM
- Cost: Free
- Workplace Harassment in British Columbia (Webinar)
by People’s Law School- What: What is workplace harassment? Who can you talk to if you think you’re being harassed? What if your complaint was investigated but you haven’t been told what’s happening next? When should you reach out to a lawyer? How can WorkSafeBC help? Join PLS for this free webinar where they will provide answers to these questions and more.
- When: Tuesday, May 31st, 2022 Noon to 1:00 PM
- Cost: Free
Learning & Community Building
Free or low cost professional development events for intermediaries, the people providing information and support to members of the public in their interactions with the legal system. We only include those that are open to non-lawyers. Also, events by organizations who help British Columbians in their interactions with the legal system. All times in Pacific Time unless stated otherwise. See disclaimer.
May 1-8 | May 9-15 | May 16-22 | May 23-31
Looking for public legal education events? Go back to the beginning
We will update this section when more events are announced.
Disclaimer: These events are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Clicklaw team of any of the products or services of the organizations. Contact the external site for questions regarding their events.
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Community Forum Series Final Report
By LawMatters, Courthouse Libraries BC
Background and Webinar
In 2021 the Community Forum series was hosted in partnership by Courthouse Libraries BC (the LawMatters program), PovNet, and Legal Aid BC. These virtual meetings brought together advocates, community outreach workers and library workers to discuss common barriers our clients face in accessing the justice system, brainstorm potential solutions and establish and expand referral networks in each region or community.
A report was developed about what was learned during these sessions. This report presents key findings and common themes, and outlines next action steps by the organizers.
On Monday, May 30th, the organizers will be holding a webinar to discuss the findings of this report, and to facilitate discussions about how they can work together to ease people’s experience and increase access to justice. Intermediaries, advocates, library workers and other legal advocates will find these discussions useful.
May 16, 2022 update: Registration is now open. Please note that this session will be run as a meeting, not a webinar. Attendees will be invited to participate in the workshop in whatever way works best for them.
Findings from Community Forum Series
Report available here: Community Forum Report (PDF).
Among the findings:
- There is an ever-increasing demand for community legal services and not enough services to keep up with this demand. Legal intermediaries (e.g. advocates and library workers) are continuously stretched to help members of the public navigate the justice system.
- There is limited inter-connection among service providers and a general lack of awareness of services available in local communities and regions. Coupled with a high rate of turnover, it can be difficult to establish and solidify referral networks. More frequent regional-based contact could help strengthen those networks.
- Indigenous people face systemic barriers to accessing services, and there is a need for more on-reserve and wrap-around services.
- Many rural and remote communities lack lawyers and other legal services. Often, strict eligibility requirements for free or low-cost services mean that many people in these communities are unable to access them. These constraints are a barrier to people getting the essential help they need from intermediaries.
Using the Report
One of CLBC’s strategic goals is to reduce barriers to accessing high quality legal information, resources & referrals, so we will be using the information from this report to inform our activities. Specifically, we will focus on exploring ways to continue hosting regular community meetings to connect intermediaries and support informed referrals in regions and communities. We will also be improving the Clicklaw HelpMap to direct people to appropriate local resources, and will continue to support the legal information needs of lawyers, notaries, library staff and intermediaries delivering much-needed services in remote and rural communities.
Intermediaries in BC can use this report to learn more about the current reality of community-based legal services and existing barriers to access to justice. This report also includes key messages to funders and influential stakeholders, in support of more holistic and stable funding for community programs.
About LawMatters
LawMatters is a Courthouse Libraries BC outreach program for public libraries. We work in partnership with libraries to provide local access to legal information in print, as well as legal reference and referral services in communities throughout the province.
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Clicklaw Monthly Roundup: April 2022
We share with you a monthly roundup of changes to Clicklaw’s collection. Here is a summary of updates done in April 2022.
Solve Problems
Indigenous Law Research Unit (ILRU)
A Toolkit for On-Reserve Matrimonial Real Property Dispute Resolution (Newly Added)
This toolkit was designed for communities and individuals to help them learn about dispute resolution options, major issues, and important questions to consider when developing matrimonial real property laws.
Pivot Legal Society
Legal Information for People Attending Wet’suwet’en Solidarity Actions (Newly Added)
The information provided is a guide intended for people attending Wet’suwet’en Solidarity Actions so that they may be better informed when interfacing with law enforcement. This guide contains legal information on people’s rights at protests, the law of injunctions, rights upon arrest and detention.
Reform & Research
BC Law Institute (BCLI)
Public Hearings Project (Updated)
BC’s Local Government Act calls for a municipality to hold a public hearing when it’s adopting a land-use bylaw. The Public Hearings Project developed a study paper on (1) the origins of the public-hearing requirement, (2) its interpretation and development, and (3) its the goals and purposes.
Pivot Legal Society
Act Now! Decriminalizing Drugs in Vancouver (Newly Added)
Technical brief with 1 main recommendation: that non-federal orders of government implement decriminalization locally, by applying to the federal government for an exemption against the offense of simple possession. Though Vancouver is the focus, this recommendation is available to all jurisdictions.
Decriminalization Done Right: A Rights-Based Path for Drug Policy (Newly Added)
#DecrimDoneRight is a civil society platform based on evidence and rooted in public health and human rights approaches to drug policy. It is a product of collaboration from legal, human rights, public health sectors and informed by the expertise of people who use drugs.
Evaluating Canada’s Sex Work Laws: The Case for Repeal (Newly Added)
Analysis of the Criminal Code provisions in the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA) shows that the legislation has resulted in sweeping criminalization of the sex industry, threatening the physical and economic security of sex workers.
HelpMap
Courthouse Libraries BC (Updated hours for some locations)
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