Latest News

News Release
July 22, 2020

Lack of Planning in Bill 22 Would See Increased Drug Fatalities for Indigenous Youth in the Midst of Opioid Crisis

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – July 22, 2020)  Indigenous rights, health, and civil liberties organizations are extremely alarmed that the Province of BC remains committed to pushing Bill 22 through the Legislative Assembly. Bill 22 proposes a number of amendments to the Mental Health Act that raise numerous concerns about the dangerous impacts on the health, safety and rights of youth. The organizations are deeply disappointed and discouraged by the lack of engagement with advocacy groups, health professionals, and impacted parties. Further, the lack of consultation with Indigenous peoples, most directly impacted by this bill, is a complete contradiction to the principles of BC’s own Declaration Act on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

News Release 
July 15, 2020

First Nations Leadership Council Statement on Class Action  Settlement Agreement for Victims of Robert Riley Saunders

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.): The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) extends our support and compassion to the victims of disgraced former social worker Robert Riley Saunders and demands further accountability for the ongoing harm and trauma caused through his actions.

July 13, 2020
Sent via email: [email protected]
Commissioner Camil Dumont Commissioner Dave Demers Commissioner Gwen Giesbrecht Commissioner Tricia Barker Commissioner John Coupar Commissioner John Irwin Commissioner Stuart Mackinnon

Re: Submission on “Parks Control By-law Updates – Temporary Shelter in Parks”

Dear Vancouver Park Board Commissioners,

On behalf of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (“BCCLA”), the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (“UBCIC”), and Pivot Legal Society, we are writing to you regarding the Vancouver Park Board’s proposed updates to the Parks Control By-law Section 3(b), Section 10, and Section 11, hereinafter referred to as the “shelter in parks prohibition”, which disallow overnight park usage and the erection of any tents or sheltering structures.

News Release
July 7, 2020

UBCIC Applies to Intervene in Complaint of Systemic Racism in the Healthcare System

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – July 7, 2020) UBCIC has filed an application to intervene in a 2019 Human Rights Complaint from David Dennis that challenges the lawfulness of the Abstinence Policy in British Columbia.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Over Seventy Organizations Call on Vancouver Police Board  and Province of BC to Ban Police Street Checks

July 6, 2020, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh/Vancouver, BC – Seventy-three local and provincial organizations are calling on the Vancouver Police Board and Province of BC to immediately ban police street checks.

END POLICE STREET CHECKS!

Motion to End Street Checks Going to Vancouver City Council

If you are in Vancouver, there is a motion regarding street checks going to City Council on Tuesday July 7^th. The motion is B2 Ending Street Checks in Vancouver.

News Release
July 2, 2020

Supreme Court of Canada’s Dismissal of Leave to Appeal Coldwater Decision Fails to Uphold Indigenous Title and Rights

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – July 2, 2020)

Today the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and Coldwater Band’s application for leave to appeal the February 4, 2020 Federal Court of Appeal decision Coldwater First Nation v. Canada (Coldwater decision). The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is deeply disappointed by the court’s decision to deny Indigenous Title and Rights, effectively continuing to greenlight the expansion to the Trans Mountain pipeline (TMX). The ongoing construction of TMX is a violation of Indigenous Title and Rights and poses considerable risk to the environment and climate. The expansion will also increase the number of man camps that directly threaten the safety and security of Indigenous women and girls. On June 13^th, a section of the Trans Mountain pipeline spilled an estimated 150,000 liters of light crude oil near the Sumas pump station, the fourth such spill to occur on the Sumas First Nation’s land in the past 15 years.