Until January 15, 2021 - BCLI Seeks Input on Proposals to Reform Child Protection Law

Help Reform BC’s Main Child Protection Law

by the British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI)

Can you share your views on BCLI’s proposals to reform our province’s main child protection law?

About the proposals

Last month the British Columbia Law Institute published its Child Protection Project Committee’s Consultation Paper on Modernizing the Child, Family and Community Service Act. In this consultation paper the committee is asking for public comment on its proposals to government to reform British Columbia’s main child protection law.

“The committee has taken a focused review to the Act and found selected areas in need of improvement,” noted committee co-chair, Corinne Feenie. “The committee is proposing changes to the Act’s definitions, disclosure provisions, provisions for independent legal advice, and selected court
procedures and orders. The committee is also proposing new provisions to incorporate children’s views into child protection proceedings and for legal representation for children.”

“The committee hopes to receive a wide range of responses to its consultation paper,” said committee co-chair, Katrina Harry, a member of the Esketemc First Nation. “Due to the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system, it is particularly important that the committee receives feedback from Indigenous communities, representatives, and agencies, and the committee specifically welcomes and will solicit such input. Public response is important and will be taken into
account as the committee forms its final recommendations.”

How to share your views

Go to the BCLI website, where you can find:

  • Copies of the consultation paper
  • A backgrounder summarizing its contents
  • A response booklet
  • A link to the committee’s survey

The deadline for responses is 15 January 2021.

About the British Columbia Law Institute

The logo of British Columbia Law Institute

The British Columbia Law Institute was created in 1997 by incorporation under the provincial Society Act. Its purposes are to promote the clarification and simplification of the law and its adaptation to modern social needs, promote improvement of the administration of justice and respect for the rule of law, and promote and carry out scholarly legal research.

Stay informed:

01_Clicklaw_30px01_Twitter_30px01_Linkedin_30px01_Website_30pxFB-f-Logo__blue_29

Clicklaw Monthly Roundup: October 2020

We share with you a monthly roundup of changes to Clicklaw’s collection. Here is a summary of updates done in October 2020.

Solve Problems

Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL)

Legal Aid BC

  • Parents Legal Centre is a free service to help parents in select locations in BC with child protection issues.
  • Coping with Separation during COVID-19 (new)
    For spouses (married or living in a marriage-like relationship) dealing with the emotional aspects of separating during the pandemic. Describes ways to help you and your children cope, negotiating tips to make an agreement with your spouse, and where to get support services and legal help.

Template Clauses for COVID Agreements between Co-Parents (new)
by the National Self-Represented Litigants Project
For parents sharing custody and/or having access arrangements or support orders in place, but want to make adjustments anticipating the pandemic situation. Includes social distancing clauses, a complete model social distancing agreement, and schooling arrangement clauses.

Securing personal information: A self-assessment for public bodies and organizations (new)
by Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC
This tool helps organizations and public bodies conduct their security self-assessment. They are required by the laws to take reasonable steps to safeguard the personal information in their custody or control.

Coronavirus: Your Legal Questions Answered (updated)
by People’s Law School
Practical guidance and answers to common questions on the legal aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. Covering a wide range of areas, from rights of workers to preparing a will during the time of COVID-19 to life in phase 3.

Learn & Teach

Judges in Canada – What they do and how they do it (newly added to Clicklaw)
by the Canadian Superior Courts Judges Association
This teaching tool is aimed at new & young Canadians, also the public. The video illustrates what they are entitled to expect from Judges in Canadian Courts and covers principles fundamental to our Justice System, incl. Judicial independence and the Rule of Law. Teacher’s guide is available.

Reform & Research

Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL)

  • Health Care Consent and Capacity Assessment Tribunals Project
    Research project on tribunals that review assessments of mental incapability to give or refuse consent to health care or admission to a hospital or other care facility, and that resolve disputes related to substitute decision making for persons who are assessed as mentally incapable of consenting.
  • Engaging People Living with Dementia in Decision-Making
    In order to better support the practice of all health care professionals and staff, best practice guidelines should be developed which addresses how to: Engage people who are living with dementia in health care decision-making; and maximize the capacity of people living with dementia

HelpMap

Summary Legal Advice Clinic
by South Asian Legal Clinic of BC
SALCBC offers summary legal advice and information related to immigration status, child protection and custody, separation and divorce, domestic violence, sexual assault, racial discrimination and profiling, economic justice for workers, elder abuse, mental health, and wills and estates.

Stay informed:

01_Clicklaw_30px01_Twitter_30px01_Linkedin_30px01_Website_30pxFB-f-Logo__blue_29