May 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.
May 1-10 | May 11-17 | May 18-24 | May 25-31
Looking for events for intermediaries? Jump to the next section.

May 1-10

  • Planning for the Future: the Legal Side (Webinar)
    by Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre
    • What: We are learning many things in response to Covid-19. Now is the time to get your affairs in order! It’s about taking responsibility; its about exercising your rights and duty! Attend one of our introductory webinars and get informed about legal planning documents available in BC. Same topic, offered different times. There will be a question and answer period at the live webinar.
    • When: Tuesday, May 5, 2020 10:30 AM to Noon or Thursday, May 7, 2020 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Legal Lunch & Learn / Human Rights: The Duty To Accommodate in Light of Covid-19 (Webinar)
    by Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society (PLEO)
    • What: In times of trouble, PLEO and Law For Non Profits can help. Join PLEO Director of Programs, Martha Rans, in conversation with lawyer Clea Parfitt about accommodating workers and avoiding a human rights complaint through circumstances such as COVID-19.
    • When: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 Noon to 1:00 pm
    • Cost: Free
  • Art law talks: who owns that sound? Music in the digital age (Webinar)
    by Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society (PLEO)
    • What: Entertainment Lawyer Kurt Dahl shares his insights into what constitutes songwriting and what constitutes music plagiarism in 2020. If you’re a musician, songwriter or creative person, this is a presentation you don’t want to miss.
    • When: Wednesday, May 6, 5–6PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning 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 webinar 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 7, 2020 from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM
    • Cost: $25 per person
  • WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY: Preventing exposure to COVID-19 at your business (Webinar)
    by WorkSafeBC
    • What: Presented by Chris Back from WorkSafeBC, this informative webinar will cover important aspects of ensuring workplace health and safety for employees and customers alike. Topics covered will include COVID-19 transmision and ways to mitigate exposure, use of masks and other physical barriers, as well as best practices in working from home arrangements.
    • When: Friday, May 8, 2020 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
    • Cost: Free

May 11-17

  • How to Prepare a Successful Application Package under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program (Webinar)
    by Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP)
    • What: This webinar delivered by RSTP for new and experienced sponsors will provide an in-depth look at how to prepare applications to sponsor refugees under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program, including: an overview of the application process; how to structure applications; how to complete the application forms (for Groups of Five, Community Sponsors and the refugees being sponsored); and, what supporting documents must be included with the application package in order to ensure that the application is complete.
    • When: Tuesday, May 12, 202010:00 AM to Noon
    • Cost: Free
  • Indigenous Law for Land, Air and Water (Webinar)
    by West Coast Environmental Law
    • What: Join us in a virtual circle to learn about inspiring ways that Indigenous nations are revitalizing and applying their own laws to environmental challenges in their territories. West Coast staff Maxine Matilpi, Helen Copeland & Rayanna Seymour-Hourie will provide an introduction to the RELAW (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air & Water) program, which looks to stories and Indigenous knowledge holders to express Indigenous laws.
    • When: Tuesday, May 12, 2020 Noon to 1:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Legal Lunch & Learn/Rent Relief for Commercial Businesses: a Deep Dive Into the Cecra Program (Webinar)
    by Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society (PLEO)
    • What: Join PLEO Director of Programs, Martha Rans, in conversation with housing lawyer Grant Haddock about the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program for rent relief for commercial tenants.
    • When: Wednesday, May 13, 12–1PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Art Law Talks: Artists’ Estate Planning (Webinar)
    by Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society (PLEO)
    • What: Have you taken steps to plan and protect your legacy and artistic vision? Deciding what happens to your artwork after you’re gone is important, and having a plan in place for your estate will also be valuable for those you care about.
    • When: Wednesday, May 13, 2020 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Planning for the Future: the Legal Side (Webinar)
    by Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre
    • What: We are learning many things in response to Covid-19. Now is the time to get your affairs in order! It’s about taking responsibility; its about exercising your rights and duty! Attend one of our introductory webinars and get informed about legal planning documents available in BC. Same topic, offered different times. There will be a question and answer period at the live webinar.
    • When: Wednesday, May 13, 2020 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • How to Submit a Refugee Sponsorship Application to ROC-O Via Email and Updating Applications After Submission (Webinar)
    by Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP)
    • What: This webinar delivered by RSTP for new and experienced sponsors will provide an in-depth look at how to submit a refugee sponsorship application under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program to the Resettlement Operations Centre – Ottawa (ROC-O) via email and when and how to update an application after submission.
    • When: Friday, May 15, 2020 Noon to 2:00 PM
    • Cost: Free

May 18-24

  • Planning for the Future: the Legal Side (Webinar)
    by Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre
    • What: We are learning many things in response to Covid-19. Now is the time to get your affairs in order! It’s about taking responsibility; its about exercising your rights and duty! Attend one of our introductory webinars and get informed about legal planning documents available in BC. Same topic, offered different times. There will be a question and answer period at the live webinar.
    • When: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 10:30 AM to Noon OR Thursday, May 21, 2020 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Returning to Work During the Pandemic (Webinar)
    by People’s Law School
    • What: Are you being called back to work? Do you have questions about your rights as a worker? Join our free 45-minute webinar with employment lawyers Sara Forte, a returning guest, and Jim Wu, both of Forte Law – Employment Law Solutions. They’ll answer the pressing questions being asked by workers returning to their jobs, and offer practical tips about how to approach difficult conversations you might need to have with your employer.
    • When: Wednesday, May 20, 2020 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Virtual Workshop: Covid-19 Related Frauds and Scams
    by Seniors First BC
    • What: Fraudsters are using the coronavirus outbreak as an opportunity to try and trick the public with new phishing emails, phone calls and text messages. Learn more about this COVID-19 related frauds and scams.
    • When: Thursday, May 21, 2020 11:00 AM to Noon
    • Cost: Free

May 25-31

  • Nidus Registry Demo (Webinar)
    by Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry
    • What: The Personal Planning Registry is accessible 24/7. It provides secure storage for important information and documents, and lets you permit access to others who may need to know. Learn how to create an account, register a document, and share read-only access with others.
    • When: Tuesday, May 26, 2020 10:30 AM to Noon
    • Cost: Free
  • FOR SELF-ADVOCATES – What is a Representation Agreement? (Zoom Meeting)
    by Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry
    • What: BC’s Self Advocate Leadership Team (SALN) says that a Representation Agreement is an important part of a Covid-19 Emergency Kit. Find out more at this free webinar.
    • When: Tuesday, May 26, 2020 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
    • Cost: Free. To register for this Zoom meeting, email info@nidus.ca
  • BC High School Students: Meet BC’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender (Webinar)
    by Office of the BC Human Rights Commission
    • What: BC’s Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender invites grade 10-12 classes from across the province for an online Zoom session. The Commissioner will speak about the new BC Commission, the BC Human Rights Code and reflect on human rights in BC today. Before the event, students are encouraged to find a human rights news story and bring a question for the commissioner.
    • When: Tuesday, May 26, 2020 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Changes to the Lobbyists Transparency Act – Implications for the Nonprofit Sector (Webinar)
    by Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society (PLEO)
    • What: The LTA is meant to increase transparency with respect to who is lobbying the BC government. This legislation has broad implications for the sector. It removed previous thresholds on lobbying activities that organizations were able to undertake in support of their mandate without triggering reporting requirements. Not all organizations will need to register. Registration depends on the number of employees, extent of lobbying activities in proportion of overall budget, and the intended purpose of these activities. In this session we’ll discuss the Legislation’s key points.
    • When: Wednesday, May 27, 2020 Noon to 1:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Achieving Financial Security: An Introduction to the Disability Tax Credit and Registered Disability Savings Plan (Webinar)
    by Diabetes Canada & Access RDSP Partnership
    • What: Introductory session on the DTC and RDSP; what they are and how to apply. The webinar will be hosted by the Access RDSP Partnership, a partnership of three organizations based in British Columbia, working together to promote financial security in the disability community across Canada.
    • When: Thursday, May 28, 2020 01:00 – 02:00 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 1-10 | May 11-17 | May 18-24 | May 25-31
Looking for public legal education events? Go back to the beginning.

May 1-10

  • AC LEXtures: Urgent Family Law Matters During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Webinar)
    by Law Courts Center
    • What: This webinar will review what family law disputes the BC Provincial Court is dealing with during the current phase of the pandemic; how to apply for an urgent hearing; determining if a case is urgent; admissibility of evidence and the conduct of a telephone hearing; cooperative parenting; and out-of-court dispute resolution.
    • When: Tuesday, May 5, 2020 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM
    • Cost: Single Zoom Seat Sale – $75.00, Amici Curiae and Social Justice In-Person Rate: $0 (Suggested tax deductible donation $75)

May 18-24

  • AC LEXtures: Employment Insurance 101 During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Webinar)
    by Law Courts Center
    • What: This webinar will cover the basics of EI qualifications, go through an actual application, and deal with common issues (missing ROEs, contentious reasons for separation, and how to deal with Service Canada agents).
    • When: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
    • Cost: Single Zoom Seat Sale – $75.00, Amici Curiae and Social Justice In-Person Rate: $0 (Suggested tax deductible donation $75)

May 25-31

  • What’s next for climate law after COVID-19? (Virtual Discussion)
    from West Coast Environmental Law
    • What: Join West Coast’s Climate Lawyer Andrew Gage for a virtual dialogue about the future of climate change law and litigation, and how we need to adapt in the context of COVID-19. In this interactive discussion, we want to hear YOUR perspectives on West Coast’s climate law initiatives and how legal strategies may evolve after the COVID-19 crisis.
    • When: Tuesday, May 26, 12:00-1:00 pm
    • Cost: Free
  • AC LEXtures: Employment Insurance 102 During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Webinar)
    by Law Courts Center
    • What: Jim Wu and Katelynn Denny will cover the basics of EI (qualifications), go through an actual application, dealing with common issues (missing ROEs, contentious reasons for separation, and how to deal with Service Canada agents).
    • When: Tuesday, May 26, 2020 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
    • Cost: Single Zoom Seat Sale – $75.00, Amici Curiae and Social Justice In-Person Rate: $0 (Suggested tax deductible donation $75)

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.

Stay informed:

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SHARP Workplaces Poster

SHARP Workplaces for Help with Sexual Harassment Claims in the Workplace

by Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)

Free legal advice is available to anyone who has experienced workplace sexual harassment from the SHARP Workplaces legal clinic.

What is sexual harassment in the workplace?

Sexual harassment in the workplace is an unfortunate reality for many British Colombians, yet studies have shown it still goes under-reported. In fact, a 2017 study of Canadian working women showed that more than half of them had experienced sexual harassment during their careers, but only about a quarter complained or reported the issue. As a country that seems to pride itself in striving to gender equality, this is a disheartening figure.

One barrier to reporting may be that many British Colombians are not sure what workplace sexual harassment is. The Supreme Court of Canada has defined sexual harassment as;

“unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that detrimentally affects the work environment or leads to adverse job-related consequences for the victims of the harassment.”

It can happen in any type of workplace, and includes a range of behaviors that abuse power and may make the recipient feel unsafe in their place of work.

How can SHARP Workplaces help me?

While recent social movements have created awareness of unacceptable behaviors, there is still a gap in service for workers to access advice, education, and proper information to address sexual harassment if it should happen to them. This is especially important for marginalized groups, such as Indigenous people, LGBTQ2S+, ethnic and cultural minorities, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups in society.

The new partnership between the Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) and the Ending Violence Association of BC (EVABC) aims to fill that gap, by creating SHARP Workplaces, funded by the Department of Justice Canada. This program offers a free legal service offering up to 5 hours of free confidential legal advice and is available to anyone in BC who has a complaint regarding workplace sexual harassment in BC. By providing legal advice, SHARP Workplaces wants to ensure that workers know their rights and have the appropriate support to take whatever avenue they feel is best. SHARP Workplaces will also provide free education and training to small businesses, non-profits and Indigenous organizations.

How do I access the service?

People who experience sexual harassment can access the SHARP Workplaces legal advice service by calling: 604-673-3143 or toll-free: 1-888-685-6222, emailing SHARPWorkplaces@clasbc.net or by going to clasbc.net.

Find it on Clicklaw: https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1307

For referrals to support services after 5 p.m., please call VictimLinkBC: 1-800-563-0808. 

Education and training workshops can be requested from Ending Violence Association of BC by calling: 604-682-8820, or emailing education@endingviolence.org.

I help the people in my community. What can SHARP Workplaces do for me?

Intermediaries are encouraged to reach out to SHARP Workplaces if they would like to request a presentation for their organization to learn more about our legal advice service, education and training services and about workplace sexual harassment. Advocates who may be supporting clients with their workplace sexual harassment claims may also contact SHARP Workplaces for advice.

About CLAS

The Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) is a non-profit society providing legal assistance, information and education in BC, and works to advance the law to address the critical needs of those who are disadvantaged or face discrimination. For further information, please see: www.clasbc.net

About EVA BC

The Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA BC) works to coordinate and support the work of victim-serving and other anti-violence programs in British Columbia through the provision of issue-based consultation and analysis, resource development, training, research and education. Our work is guided by respect for difference, human dignity and equality. https://endingviolence.org/

Stay informed:

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