April 2020 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.
April 1-5 | April 6-12 | April 13-19 | April 20-26 | April 27-30
Looking for events for intermediaries? Jump to the next section of this blog post.

April 1-5

  • Working Through This: Legal Clinic for the Arts with Martha Rans (Webinar)
    from Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society
    • What: Artists and cultural workers are currently facing many uncertainties as a result of COVID-19. Many are navigating legal issues surrounding human resources, landlord/tenant negotiations, commercial tenancy, artist contracts, force majeure clauses, and more. Lawyer Martha Rans, Legal Director of the Artists’ Legal Outreach in Vancouver will address current pressing legal issues of importance to the arts and cultural sector, covering discussion points driven by the questions that you provide in the online registration form.
    • When: Thursday, April 2, 11am
    • Cost: Free
  • Your Rights as a Worker in the Time of Coronavirus (Webinar)
    from People’s Law School
    • What: Has COVID-19 impacted your job? Employment lawyer Sara Forte will answer the most common and pressing questions about the impact of coronavirus on your rights as a worker. We’ve increased capacity to 500 attendees, but don’t delay in registering!
    • When: Friday, April 3, 2020 – 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm
    • Cost: Free

April 6-12

  • COVID-19 Related Information for SRLs: Adjournments, Legal Paperwork, & Urgent Cases (Webinar)
    from National Self-Represented Litigants Project
    • What: Julie Macfarlane (SRLP), along with family lawyers Aisha Amjad (Toronto) and Georgette Makhoul (Windsor) , will be discussing court closures and adjournments, filing and affidavits procedures, and providing examples on what the courts mean when they say they will hear “urgent” or “emergency” cases only during this COVID-19 crisis. Deadline to register is 11:00am on April 7, 2020
    • When: Apr 7, 2020 12:30 – 1:30 PM in Eastern Time
    • Cost: Free
  • Co-parenting during COVID-19 (Webinar)
    from Connect Family Law Vancouver
    • What: Hear from divorce coach and registered clinical counsellor, Shelley Behr, as well as mediator and lawyer, Rebecca Stanley, as they discuss both practical and legal issues facing you as a separated co-parent in today’s climate. There will be an extended time for questions.
    • When: Tue, April 7, 2020, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Legal Lunch & Learn: Commercial Leases in Times of Trouble (Webinar)
    from Pacific Legal Education & Outreach (PLEO)
    • What: Join PLEO Director of Programs Martha Rans in a lively weekly discussion about legal issues of concern to the non-profit sector. Starting Wednesday we’ll talk with Grant Haddock, housing lawyer, about commercial leases and negotiating with landlords when times are tough.
    • When: Wed, Apr 8, 2020 12:00 PM
    • Cost: Free

April 13-19

  • Legal Lunch & Learn: Emergency Relief Funds – the Do’s and Don’ts for Charities and Beyond (Webinar)
    from Pacific Legal Education & Outreach (PLEO)
    • What: Vancouver lawyer Anders Ourom will share suggestions for charities or non-profits considering creating short-term, immediate relief funds to those facing unexpected loss of income as a result of COVID-19.
    • When: Wed, Apr 15, 2020 12:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Art Law Talks: The Rights of Performing Artists Through COVID-19 (Webinar)
    from Pacific Legal Education & Outreach (PLEO)
    • What: Entertainment lawyer Byron Pascoe will provide general practical take-aways focused on rights and obligations of performing artists relating to the COVID-19 crisis, for example regarding venues, and the members of a performing artist’s team.
    • When: Wed, Apr 15, 2020 05:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning (Webinar)
    from Plan Institute
    • What: Learn how to arrange your estate, prepare a will, and the various ins and outs of setting up a trust specifically for your relative or loved-one with a disability.
    • When: Thursday, April 16, 2020 from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM
    • Cost: $25 per person

April 20-26

  • Planning for the Future — the legal side (Webinar)
    from Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre & Registry
    • 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, April 21, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm OR Thursday, April 23, 3 pm to 4:30 pm
    • Cost: Free
  • EI and Emergency Benefits for Workers (Webinar)
    from People’s Law School
    • What: If your work is affected by the coronavirus pandemic, you may be wondering: Which benefit programs might help me? In this free 45-minute webinar, employment lawyer David Brown breaks down the new CERB benefit and EI: who’s eligible, how to apply, how much you’ll get, and more.
    • When: Tuesday, Apr 21, 2020 12:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Art at Work: Copyright 101 for Artists (Webinar)
    from Pacific Legal Education & Outreach (PLEO)
    • What: With the massive amount of media being easily shared digitally, how do we know what’s fair to use or what others can use of ours? Recent court cases with Canadian artists emphasize the importance of understanding copyright. Presenting and accessing creative works – art, photography, video, writing, music – is easier than ever and this has major implications on how we choose to showcase our creative output.
    • When: Wednesday, April 22, 10:00 am to 11:30 am
    • Cost: Free
  • Legal Lunch & Learn: To Layoff or Not to Layoff, That is the Question (Employment Issues in the Times of COVID-19) (Webinar)
    from Pacific Legal Education & Outreach (PLEO)
    • What: Katy Allen of Lawson Lundell LLP will be on hand to share insights about employment issues in non-profit workplaces in the times of COVID-19.
    • When: Wednesday, April 22, 12–1PM
    • Cost: Free

April 27-30

  • Planning for the Future — the legal side (Webinar)
    from Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre & Registry
    • 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, April 28, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm OR Wednesday, April 29, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm OR Thursday, April 30, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
    • Cost: Free
  • Changes for Immigration and Refugee Law During Covid (Webinar)
    from Migrant Workers Centre
    • What: Presenters: Juliana Dalley (Migrant Workers Centre) and Lobat Sadrehashemi (Immigration and Refugee Legal Clinic)
    • When: Apr 28, 2020 02:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Art Law Talks: Artists’ Estate Planning (Webinar)
    from Pacific Legal Education & Outreach (PLEO)
    • What: Join us for a conversation about artists’ estates with Denis Walz, lawyer in private practice who, in addition to his general commercial practice, acts on behalf of a number of artists. Denis will share suggestions to help minimize some of the legal complications that may arise in the process of planning your estate.
    • When: Apr 29, 2020 05:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Enviro Law 101: Primer for Youth (Webinar)
    from West Coast Environmental Law
    • What: Want to learn how law can help protect the environment and tackle climate change? This youth-focused webinar will introduce a few of the ways that people in Canada are using the power of law to solve our biggest environmental problems – in courtrooms, in communities and in government institutions. For those taking part in youth-led climate actions, this online session will introduce some of the legal tools that can complement grassroots environmental action on the ground.
    • When: Thursday, April 30 2020, 12:00 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.
April 1-5 | April 6-12 | April 13-19 | April 20-26 | April 27-30

Ongoing

  • Remote Working: Setting Yourself and Your Teams Up for Success (online learning)
    from LinkedIn Learning
    • What: Optimize working remotely, whether you’re new to remote work or not, and whether you’re leading a team or part of a team involving distributed team members. Discover how to be productive and stay connected when working from home or other remote environments.
    • When: self-paced, 13 hours
    • Cost: free

April 1-5

  • Join BC’s Human Rights Commissioner for a Twitter Town Hall
    from BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
    • What: Follow us on Twitter @HumanRights4BC to join Commissioner Kasari Govender for a Twitter Town Hall. Can’t make the time? Tweet us your questions in advance! Home with kids? We want to hear from them!
    • When: Thursday, April 2, 2020 – 2:00-3:00 PM

April 6-12

  • Working Remotely in the Face of COVID-19 (Webinar)
    from CLEBC
    • What: As the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated, the ability to operate a law practice without everyone being together in an office can be critically important. Going forward, practicing mobility and efficient remote access will be key for an effective disaster avoidance strategy. In this seminar, we’ll provide many recommendations for improving your ability to practice law, increasing your focus and productivity, managing distractions, communication, and taking care of clients from anywhere! Instructor: Paul J. Unger, ESQ — Affinity Consulting Group, LLC, Columbus, OH
    • Who should attend: lawyers and legal support staff in all practice areas (private practice, corporate legal, university, and colleges). Most people have experienced a quick shift in what their work day looks like. Let Paul help you adapt to this new reality. The more people within your office who understand this new reality, the more likely everyone will experience success.
    • Learning level: All levels
    • When: Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
    • Cost: $29, bursary available
  • Working from Home Safely – Cybersecurity in the Face of COVID-19 (Webinar)
    from CLEBC
    • What: In this webinar, we will discuss the ethical and malpractice pitfalls of working remotely and how to address them. We will discuss the need for full disk encryption, email encryption, home wireless router security, Windows updates, AntiVirus/Malware, cloud options and how to tighten up security when using Dropbox, Box, One-Drive or Google Drive. Instructor: Paul J. Unger, ESQ — Affinity Consulting Group, LLC, Columbus, OH
    • Who should attend: Lawyers and legal staff looking for smarter tech security strategies in this time of uncertainty.
    • Learning level: All levels
    • When: Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
    • Cost: $29, bursary available

April 13-19

  • TMX Legal Update and Q+A (Webinar)
    from West Coast Environmental Law
    • What: Join us for an interactive update on the current legal challenges and appeals surrounding the Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker expansion (TMX).
    • When: Thursday, Apr 16, 2020 12:00 PM
    • Cost: free

April 20-26

  • Gender-based Violence and COVID-19: Before, During, and Your Role in the Reset (Webinar)
    from Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS)
    • What: An online discussion about what we know about gender-based violence before COVID-19, how these public health issues are currently intertwined, and learnings we will take with us after the pandemic. We need to envision a tomorrow that eliminates gender-based violence. We need to take action in an individual, communal, and systemic manner. Your role in the reset will soon reveal itself: are you ready to join us?
    • When: Wednesday, April 22 2020, 11:00 AM to noon
    • Cost: Free
  • Legal Developments in the COVID-19 Era: Federal Employment Benefits, Tenant and Landlord Rights, and Human Rights (Webinar)
    from Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers – BC Advocacy Committee
    • What: An informational online panel discussion to learn more about developments arising out of this pandemic in the areas of Employment Insurance and other federal benefits, tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities, and human rights law. This event will feature a panel discussion with three experts in the above areas, followed by an interactive question and answer session.
    • When: Wednesday, April 22 2020, 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM
    • Cost: Free

April 27-30

  • COVID-19 and Migrant & Undocumented Workers (Webinar)
    by KAIROS
    • What: Everyone is welcome to join Connie Sorio, Migrant Justice Program Coordinator, for an update on the situation facing migrant workers and undocumented persons during this unprecedented global crisis, including what you can do to help.
    • When: April 28 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT (recurring event)
    • Cost: Free
  • Justice Adapting – The British Columbia Courts (Webinar)
    by LexisNexis
    • What: This free webinar is a round table conversation between members of the judiciary on how their courts are continuing to adapt in light of restricted operations due to COVID-19.
    • When: Apr 29, 2020 12:00 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.

Stay informed:

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Covid-19 Updates: Services and Online Resources

March 24, 2020 – 06:00 PM PDT: We are no longer updating this blog post. Please visit Covid-19 Resources for British Columbians on the Clicklaw Wikibooks for regularly updated information.

Bookmark this post! It will be updated as more changes and new resources are announced. You can also get frequent updates via our Twitter. Have a suggestion? Email us.

Here, we are providing a temporary space where intermediaries can find useful information for their community in British Columbia such as:

As many organizations and government agencies are still working on planning their responses and transitioning their workforce, we are updating this post regularly.

Last updated: March 23, 2020 – 10:30 AM PDT

Hotline Numbers & Online Resources

Provincial

  • BC Centre for Disease Control: Covid-19 Resources (BC CDC)
    • Information about COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community and what to do if you suspect you have the virus. Includes translated content (PDF and videos).
    • BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool: use this online tool first to help determine whether you may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19.
    • If you are unsure about what to do or have medical concerns or questions, contact HealthLinkBC (call 8-1-1) at any time or speak with your health care provider. 8-1-1 has translation services available.
  • COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information (BC)
    • Includes links to information about work for employees and employers
    • For non-health related information and services such as childcare, travel advisories, school closures and more, call 1-888-COVID19 (toll-free) or 604-412-0957 (7:30am-8pm PST). Translation services available. Text: 604-630-0300. Standard message and data rates may apply.
  • BC COVID-19 response update (March 18)
    • Employers must excuse workers for sickness without requiring a doctor’s note
    • The BC government will make changes to the Employment Standards Act to protect workers and prevent layoffs.
  • Medical Services Plan (MSP) for BC residents
    • MSP coverage wait periods waived for people moving back to BC from COVID-19 impacted areas. Some temporary coverage available for British Columbians who are out of the province and unable to return.
  • WorkSafeBC: Covid-19 and the workplace
    • Recommendations for some key workplace issues related to COVID-19, including rights to refuse work, workplace protections, and compensation.

Federal

Community-Focused Resources

Click on the links for the original service changes announcement and more details.

  • Access Pro Bono BC: Moving nearly all of services from in-person delivery to telephone and online delivery. Shutting down the court-based Civil Chambers Program on a temporary basis while in the process of shifting resources to telephone and online service delivery.
  • Courthouse Libraries BC: All 29 locations are closed. For assistance with finding legal information, members of the public can email librarian@courthouselibrary.ca or leave a voice message: 1-800-665-2570 (toll-free) or 604-660-2841.
  • Legal Aid BC: Taking applications for legal aid over the phone only, not accepting in-person applications. Call the Provincial Call Centre (604-408-2172 or 1-866-577-2525) or the local agent in your community.
  • People’s Law School: Offices are closed. Public legal education classes are postponed. For assistance, call 604-331-5400 or email info@peopleslawschool.ca.
  • Justice Education Society: If you have legal info questions, please Ask JES. Volunteers are available live M-F 11-2 via text or phone to 855-875-8867, or web chat https://justiceeducation.ca
  • Justice Access Centres & Family Justice Centres:
    • In-person services are discontinued temporarily, including the Self-help Resource Rooms and services provided by justice partners located in the Justice Access Centres. Services will continue through telephone and other virtual service options until further notice. In locations or circumstances where services are required prior to or as part of a family court process (e.g Rule 5 or Victoria Early Resolution and Case Management Prototype), services will continue to be available through the use of technology. All callers to local centres will be advised of the service options available to them.
    • Clients with appointments already scheduled with Family Justice Counsellors or Child Support Officers will be contacted directly by our local offices to discuss options for how that appointment can proceed.

PovNet maintains a list of programs and services that may have changed or are temporarily closed, including poverty law advocates. See their Covid-19 Service Changes.

BC Courts & Tribunals

Click on the links for the original service changes announcement and more details, including notices.

Stay informed:

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