2017 Bi-Monthly Update Series: March/April
To keep you informed, here are some highlights of changes and updates made to Clicklaw in March and April:
Jan-Feb | Mar-Apr | May-Jun | Jul-Aug | Sep-Oct | Nov-Dec
Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia
- Navigator for Youth Transitioning to Adult Services
Youth with disabilities in BC face challenges when transitioning from childhood to adult services. This program helps youth aged 14 to 25, their parents and members of their Transition Support Teams, connect with the services they need, such as disability benefits, health services, or school supports.
Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
- Self-Help Guide to Help Prepare for a Review Panel Hearing
If you are involuntarily detained or certified under the B.C. Mental Health Act you have the right to a Mental Health Review Board Review Panel hearing. This guide helps you prepare. - Representing Your Client at a Hearing of the Mental Health Review Board
Written for legal advocates and lawyers, this guide walks you through preparing your client’s case, from first interview to the end of their Review Panel hearing.
The following help sheets are now available in 5 languages: Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Persian, Punjabi, Spanish.
- Help Sheet #14: RDSP and the Disability Tax Credit
Explains the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) from the federal government. - Help Sheet #16: Guide to Filing Income Taxes for People Receiving PWD/PPMB
Describes how people receiving provincial disability benefits in BC can prepare and submit an income tax return for free over the internet
- Your welfare rights: How to apply for welfare
The first booklet in the new series Your Welfare Rights, it explains the process of applying for income assistance. The series will replace the publication Your Welfare Rights: A Guide to BC Employment and Assistance. - Legal Aid multilingual poster
This new poster on contacting Legal Aid and free legal help is available in English, French, and Spanish. - Working with Your Legal Aid Lawyer
This new fact sheet outlines client and lawyer roles and responsibilities, so each knows what to expect from the legal aid contract. - Gladue Rights at Bail and Sentencing
This new poster uses infographic to explain Gladue rights for Aboriginal people. - Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia
A revised version of Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia, it explains getting income assistance if you live on reserve. - What’s First Nations Court
This new two-page fact sheet gives you an overview of First Nations Court in BC. - Need Help with Your Refugee Claim?
This infocard on legal aid coverage for refugees is now available in Dari, Kurdish, and Pashto. - Is That Legal? What the Law Says about Online Harassment and Abuse
A joint publication with West Coast LEAF, this updated publication teaches youth how to become safer online when they use social media.
Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry
- Ways to End Statutory Property Guardianship
This new fact sheet tells you about statutory property guardianship, how it happens and the rights of adults to end it. - How to Avoid Statutory Property Guardianship and Ways to End It
This new 40-minute video discusses planning tools and other tips for avoiding the need for statutory property guardianship.
Each of the following publications now has a fresh new look, new content, and more practical guidance. Both are available in multiple media formats: wikibook, EPUB (for reading on a tablet or e-reader), PDF (print version), and printed booklet (order via Crown Publications).
- Essentials of Consumer Law
Explains consumer rights for common purchases and contracts. Now includes a new section on making a contract. - Scams to Avoid
Covers 15 of the most common scams. Now includes new sections on romance scams, charity scams, and expanded coverage of online and computer scams.
Provincial Court of British Columbia
- Guidelines for Using a Support Person in Provincial Court
Many self-represented litigants find that having a trusted friend or family member with them to provide emotional support, take notes, and organize documents can be a big help. The BC Provincial Court recognizes this, and has adopted guidelines to make it easier to bring a support person to court.
Common Question – Provincial Court Resources for Everyone: Small Claims Court
On June 1, 2017, the limit for small claims will increase to $35,000 from $25,000. This page has been updated to include this information and a link to the New Small Claims Procedures from the Provincial Court of BC. Note: The Provincial Court Resources pages will be updated for May 2017.
Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL)
- Older Women’s Dialogue Project
This project looks at law and social policy issues that affect older woman and explores what can be done to address barriers to their quality of life. - Older Women’s Legal Education Project
A collaboration with West Coast LEAF, this project tries to enhance the capacity of seniors-serving professionals to support older women fleeing violence occurring in the family and to inform older women of their rights in situations of abuse.
Stay informed: