August 2020 Events

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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.
August 1-9 | August 10-16 | August 17-23 | August 24-31
Looking for events for intermediaries? Jump to the next section.

August 1-9

  • Meet BC’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender (Zoom Meeting)
    by Office of the BC Human Rights Commission
    • What: The Commissioner is hosting virtual regional conversations. The conversation will include an overview of the Office of the Human Rights Commission, discussion on BC’s Human Rights Code, and a conversation about human rights issues affecting your region.
    • When: Thursday, August 6, 2:30-4:30pm (for residents of Rural/Remote communities)
    • Cost: Free

August 10-16

  • Domestic Violence – Supporting Refugees and Refugee Claimants in B.C. (Webinar)
    by BC Refugee Hub
    • What: This webinar is hosted by Bahar Taheri from the BC Refugee Hub. Join speakers Rosa Elena Arteaga, Manager of Direct Service and Clinical Practice – Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) and Mona Hassannia, Registered Clinical Counsellor – Nia Counselling, for this training webinar on supporting refugees and refugee claimants facing domestic violence.
    • When: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
    • Cost: Free
  • Registered Disability Savings Plan – Level 1 (Webinar)
    by Plan Institute
    • What: The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a Canada-wide registered matched savings plan specific to people with disabilities. Level 1 is 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.
    • When: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
    • Cost: Free
  • A Performing Arts Panel on the COVID-19 Experience (Webinar)
    by National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts
    • What: As we enter a new stage of COVID-19, how are performing artists managing during this uncertain time? With in-person relationships at the heart of this artistic discipline, how has the sector adapted when moving into the virtual realm? Not only this, but what legal complications have risen in this period of transition, and how can we meet the needs of this community moving forward?
    • When: Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Noon to 1:00 PM
    • Cost: Free

August 17-23

  • Registered Disability Savings Plan – Level 2 (Webinar)
    by Plan Institute
    • What: The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a Canada-wide registered matched savings plan specific to people with disabilities. Level 2 is for those who already have an RDSP and want to deepen their knowledge and learn how to maximize growth.
    • When: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
    • Cost: Free
  • Evictions and Rent Support Changes (Webinar)
    by HSABC & TRAC
    • What: On September 1st, 2020, the Government of BC will lift the current ban on evictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. This webinar will review the changes, as well as the supports in place for you and your organizations.
    • When: Wednesday, August 19, 2020, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
    • Cost: Free for members, $1 for non-members
  • Meet BC’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender (Zoom Meeting)
    by Office of the BC Human Rights Commission
    • What: The Commissioner is hosting virtual regional conversations. The conversation will include an overview of the Office of the Human Rights Commission, discussion on BC’s Human Rights Code, and a conversation about human rights issues affecting your region.
    • When: Thursday, August 20, 2:30-4:30pm (for residents of Northeast communities)
    • Cost: Free

August 24-31

  • Every Citizen: Perspectives on Lowering the Voting Age (Webinar)
    by Society of Children and Youth of BC and others
    • What: Bring together emerging legal, political and youth perspectives on lowering the voting age in Canada. Equip participants with current insight to support awareness and advocacy
    • When: Friday, Aug 28, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time
    • 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.
August 1-9 | August 10-16 | August 17-23 | August 24-31
Looking for public legal education events? Go back to the beginning.

August 10-16

  • Race Issues and the BC Legal System (Webinar)
    by JSL Law and Courthouse Libraries British Columbia (CLBC)
    • What: A panel discussion on race issues within the BC and Canadian Legal System with former Chief Justice of Canada Beverley McLachlin, Judge Wolf of the BC Provincial Court, Judge St. Pierre of the BC Provincial Court and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. We will delve into some of the impacts of race on both litigants and legal professionals as well as challenges in achieving diversity on the Bench.
    • When: Thursday, August 13, 2020 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
    • Cost: Free

August 17-23

  • Moving Toward Environmental Justice (Webinar)
    by West Coast Environmental Law
    • What: The 1.5-hour webinar will introduce some examples of environmental racism, looking at the role of law and legal institutions, as well as showcasing solutions and positive stories within the growing environmental justice movement. The event will also include a discussion and Q+A.
    • When: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Indigenous Human Rights (Webinar)
    by UBC Indigenous Community Legal Clinic and Law Students’ Legal Advice Program. Hosted by CLBC
    • What: This 2-hour presentation on Indigenous Human Rights will cover the requirements of a Human Rights claim before the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, with a specific focus on assisting Indigenous clients.
    • When: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
    • Cost: Free

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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BCLI Seeks Input on Proposals to Reform Pension Division

by the British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI)

Can you share your views on the 25 tentative recommendations to reform how pension division is carried out when separating?

The project

The BCLI’s Pension Division Review Project Committee is asking the public to share its views on tentative recommendations to reform how pension division upon the breakdown of a spousal relationship is carried out, in its just-published Consultation Paper on Pension Division: A Review of Part 6 of the Family Law Act.

“The committee has examined part 6 and found it’s generally working well,” noted committee chair Colin Galinski, “but there are areas that could be improved. We hope to hear from pension and family-law specialists and the general public on what they think about our proposed reforms.”

Tentative recommendations for reform

The consultation paper contains 25 tentative recommendations for reform, addressing the following topics: transitional provisions; private annuities; disability benefits; waiving survivor benefits after pension commencement; commuted value: transfer and calculation; locked-in retirement accounts and life income funds; death of a spouse before becoming a limited member; administrative fees; and forms.

How to share your views

Go to the BCLI’s website, where you can find:

  • the consultation paper,
  • a backgrounder summarizing its contents,
  • a response booklet, and
  • a link to the committee’s survey

The committee seeks input from pension-division specialists and interested members of the general public until September 15, 2020.

About the 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 the improvement of the administration of justice and respect for the rule of law, and promote and carry out scholarly legal research.

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