Human Rights - Who Can Help?

Human Rights Commissions

Other Resources

This website has information about human rights and the human rights complaint process. You can contact us for help on the phone.

The organizations listed below may be able to help with your human rights problem or case.

For each organization, the chart lists:

Most organizations help people with low incomes.

Look for organizations that help people in all parts of BC and those that help people in your local area.

Location:

Specialized client group:


British Columbia – serving all parts of the province

Organization

Services Provided

Contact info

Office Location

Mandate

Access Pro Bono: Summary Advice Program

Request a 30-minute summary advice program appointment, including about a BC or Canadian human rights complaint.

Fill out Online Triage Form here: https://www.accessprobono.ca/get-legal-help

Phone: (604) 878-7400
Toll-free: 1-877-762-6664

Email:
appointments@accessprobono.ca

Web info:
http://accessprobono.ca/summary-advice-program

Summary advice is provided through various legal clinics across BC

For low to modest income earners across BC.

Access Pro Bono: Roster Program

A coordinating lawyer at Access Pro Bono matches a complainant with a pro bono lawyer who interested in helping with or taking on BC and Canadian human rights matters.

A referral from an advocate or lawyer is helpful.

Email:
roster@accessprobono.ca

Web info:
http://accessprobono.ca/roster-program

300 – 845 Cambie St
Vancouver, BC.
V6B 4Z9

For low to modest income earners across BC.

Access Pro Bono: Lawyer Referral Service

Referrals to private lawyers who provide a free 30-minute consultation. Fees only apply if you decide to retain a lawyer afterward.

Phone: (604) 687-3221 to book an appointment

Toll-free: 1-800-663-1919

Book online: https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/lawyer-referral-service

 

For people seeking to hire a lawyer

Amici Curiae Friendship Society

Paralegal assistance with drafting BC and Canadian human rights complaints.

No legal advice or representation provided.

Virtual Meetings Available Wednesday & Thursday, 5:30-7:30 PM

Phone: (778) 522-2839

Email:
legalformsbc@gmai.com

Web info:
https://www.legalformsbc.ca

Hosted at various organizations across the lower mainland.

Across the Province with new virtual sessions

BC Human Rights Clinic (Community Legal Assistance Society – CLAS)

Telephone Info Line provides information on human rights. Available Monday to Friday.

Short Service Clinic provides half-hour appointments for information and summary advice, including assistance with complaint drafting (on Mondays and Wednesdays).

May provide further legal assistance or representation once a complaint has been accepted by the BC Human Rights Tribunal.

Phone: (604) 622-1100

Toll Free: 1-855-685-6222 or

Email:
infobchrc@clasbc.net

Web info:
https://bchrc.net/about-us/about-us/

300-1140 West Pender St
Vancouver, BC.
V6E 4G1

All across BC, for complainants.

Indigenous advocate available to assist Indigenous clients by request.

Disability Law Clinic

Gives information about human rights problems.

Can help with completing complaint forms.

Phone: 236-427-1108

Email:
lawclinic@disabilityalliancebc.org

 

For persons with disabilities.

The Law Centre

Summary advice and assistance about human rights problems.

Help filling out forms.

Represent complainants and respondents in BC and Canadian human rights matters.

Cannot attend in-person hearings outside the Victoria area.

Phone: (250) 385-1221

Email:
reception@thelawcentre.ca

Web info:
https://thelawcentre.ca

Suite 225 – 850 Burdett Ave, Victoria BC
V8W 0C7

For clients who cannot afford a lawyer.

For respondents province-wide.

For complainants in:

  • Victoria Area
  • Lower Island
  • Gulf Islands

Migrant Workers Centre – Respect at Work Legal Centre

Help with drafting BC human rights complaints for migrant workers.

Phone: (604) 669-4482

Toll Free: 1-888-669-4882

Email:
info@mwcbc.ca

Web info:
https://mwcbc.ca/how-to-get-legal-help

#302 - 119 W. Pender St Vancouver BC.
V6B 1S5

 

For migrant works or newcomers who have experienced issues in employment including workplace sexual harassment.

Seniors First BC Elder Law Clinic

May help with a human rights problem.

Phone: (604) 336-5653

Information about Seniors Legal Clinics: http://seniorsfirstbc.ca/programs/legal-programs/seniors-legal-clinics

150 -900 Howe St Vancouver BC
V6Z 2M4

Seniors, 55+

In-person legal clinic locations in:

  • Richmond
  • New Westminster
  • Surrey
  • Burnaby
  • North Vancouver
  • Vancouver

Phone consultations anywhere in BC.

SHARP Workplace Legal Assistance Clinic (CLAS BC)

Summary advice related to sexual harassment cases.

Up to 5 hours of free legal advice/assistance, including BC and Canadian human rights complaints, if applicable.

Phone: (604) 673-3143
Toll-free 1-888-685-6222 or

Email:
SHARPWorkplaces@clasbc.net

Web info:
https://clasbc.net/get-legal-help/sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace

300-1140 West Pender St
Vancouver, BC.
V6E 4G1

Anyone who has experienced, or is experiencing, sexual harassment in their workplace in BC.

Society for Children and Youth of BC

Child and Youth Legal Centre

We answer questions about human rights problems.

Encourage youth to call. We can also provide referrals to appropriate service if we can't assist.

Our services are free of charge.

Phone: (778) 657-5544

Toll free outside Lower Mainland: 1-877-462-0037

Email:
info@scyofbc.org (general inquiries)
cylc@scyofbc.org (legal support inquiries)

303-1270 Grant Street
Vancouver, BC V5L 2Y7

For young people or people whose human rights problem arose before they were of the age of majority.

Kamloops area

Organization

Services Provided

Contact info

Office Location

Mandate

Elizabeth Fry Legal Clinic
(Poverty Law Clinic - Kamloops)

Answer questions about a person’s human rights problems.

Can help fill out a complaint form.
Gives summary advice, and referrals to other organizations.

Free public legal education to organizations or groups.

Phone: (250) 374-2119

Email:
admin@kamloopsefry.com

Website info:
kamloopsefry.com/#community-justice

702-235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC V2C3J4

For low-income people in the Kamloops and district area.

TRU Community Legal Clinic
(TRU-CLC)

Can answers questions about human rights problems.

May help fill out complaint form.
Represents eligible clients at all stages of the HRT process.

Phone: (778) 471-8490

Web info:
https://tru.ca/law/legalclinic

204-246 2nd Avenue
Kamloops, BC V2C2C9

Summary advice to all clients.

Other services for low-income clients.

Kelowna area

Name

Services Provided

Contact info

Office Location

Mandate

Elizabeth Fry Legal Clinic

Assistance with drafting BC and Canadian human rights complaints, summary advice, and representation if capacity permits.

Phone: (250) 374-2119 or

Email:
legalclinic@kamloopsefry.com

Web info:
https://kamloopsefry.com/#community-justice

304-554 Leon Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6J6

Low-income residents in Kelowna and surrounding areas.

Prince Rupert area

Name

Services Provided

Contact info

Office Location

Mandate

Prince Rupert Unemployed Action Centre

Assistance with
BC Human Rights Complaints.

Phone: (250) 627-8776

818 3rd Avenue West
Prince Rupert
BC
V8J 1M6

Legal advocacy for people in Prince Rupert and neighbouring First Nations communities.

Smithers area

Organization

Services Provided

Contact info

Office Location

Mandate

Dze L. Kant Friendship Centre

Assistance with BC Human Rights Complaints.

Phone: (250) 847-5211 ext. 210

Email:
legal.advocacy@dzelkant.com

Web info:
http://www.dzelkant.com/legal-support-worker

1188 Main Street
P.O. Box 2920
Smithers, BC
V0J 2N0

Indigenous people in Smithers and neighbouring communities.

Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Langley areas

Organization

Services Provided

Contact info

Office Location

Mandate

Sources Community Law Clinic

Assistance with drafting BC and Canadian human rights complaints, summary advice, and representation if capacity permits.

Phone: 778-731-9768

Email:
gdhaliwal@sourcesbc.ca

Web info:
https://www.sourcesbc.ca/our-services/community-law-clinic

Unit # 105
13771 72A Ave
Surrey, BC V3W 9C6

For individuals in need living in:

  • Surrey
  • White Rock
  • Delta
  • Langley
  • Burnaby
  • Vancouver
  • Coquitlam

Vancouver area

Organization

Services Provided

Contact info

Office Location

Mandate

BC Human Rights Clinic (Community Legal Assistance Society – CLAS)

Telephone info line provides information on human rights. Available Monday to Friday.

Short Service Clinic provides half-hour appointments for information and summary advice, including assistance with complaint drafting (on Mondays and Wednesdays).

May provide further legal assistance or representation once a complaint has been accepted by the BC Human Rights Tribunal.

Phone: (604) 622-1100

Toll Free: 1-855-685-6222

Email:
infobchrc@clasbc.net

Web info:
https://bchrc.net/about-us/about-us

 

300-1140 West Pender St
Vancouver, BC.
V6E 4G1

For Complainants province wide.

Indigenous advocate available to assist Indigenous clients by request.

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)

Provides legal advice, and assistance with drafting BC human rights complaints.

Full representation at the BC Human Rights Tribunal if capacity permits.

Summary advice regarding Canadian human rights complaints.

Phone 1: (604) 822-5791

Or to set up a Chinese language appointment at our Chinatown clinic: 如果你需要中文服務的話,請撥打604) 684-1628 將會有人幫您預約時間

Web info:
https://www.lslap.bc.ca

 

Legal clinics are provided throughout the lower mainland.

For low-income earners who live in the Greater Vancouver Area.

Atira Women’s Resource Society

Assistance with drafting BC and Canadian human rights complaints, summary advice and representation if capacity permits.

Phone: (604) 331-1407 x. 114

Email:
volunteer_advocate@atira.bc.ca

Web info:
https://atira.bc.ca/what-we-do/program/legal-advocacy/

101 E. Cordova St
Vancouver, BC.
V6A 1K7

All self-identified women living in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and Greater Vancouver who cannot afford to pay for legal help.

Sources Community Law Clinic

Assistance with drafting BC and Canadian human rights complaints, summary advice, and representation if capacity permits.

Phone: 778-731-9768

Email:
gdhaliwal@sourcesbc.ca

Web info:
https://www.sourcesbc.ca/our-services/community-law-clinic

Unit #105
13771 72A Ave
Surrey, BC.
V3W 9C6

For individuals in need living in:

  • Surrey
  • White Rock
  • Delta
  • Langley
  • Burnaby
  • Vancouver
  • Coquitlam

Victoria, Vancouver Island, and Gulf Islands

Organization

Services Provided

Contact info

Office Location

Mandate

The Law Centre

Summary advice and assistance about human rights problems.

Help filling out forms.

Represent complainants and respondents in BC and Canadian human rights matters.

Phone: (250) 385-1221

Email:
reception@thelawcentre.ca

Web info:
https://thelawcentre.ca

Suite 225 – 850 Burdett Ave, Victoria BC
V8W 0C7

For clients who cannot afford a lawyer.
For complainants in:

  • Victoria Area
  • Lower Island
  • Gulf Islands
    For respondents province-wide.

Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition
(VIHRC)

Gives information about the Human Rights Code and process.

Can help to draft and file complaints.
Do not give legal advice or representation.

Gives public presentations.

Phone: (250) 382-3012

Email:
advocates@vihrc.com

Web info:
www.vihrc.com

#418-620 View Street
Victoria, BC V8W1J6

For people on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands (Complainants and duty bearers).