Category Archives: Justice

Justice, Politics

BC Government and Its Lawyers Head Toward Unionization Showdown

By  Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Lawyers working for the B.C. government are threatening to sue it over a new law that would remove their right to choose their own union.

Bill 5 became law on  Thursday after months of fighting between the government and the BC  Government Lawyers Association, which applied last year to be recognized  as an independent union representing about 300 members. 

The legislation lifts a ban on unionization for the lawyers, who advise government on new laws and represent it in civil court.

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Justice

15 First Nations Justice Council centres to open throughout British Columbia

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Since the signing of the BC First Nation Justice Strategy in 2020, a carefully outlined plan with 43 actions to reform the system and restore Indigenous legal traditions, one of the priorities outlined is the implementation of 15 First Nation justice centres throughout the province.

The first four centres in Prince Rupert, Prince George, Merrit, and virtually marked their opening in January 2022.

In late 2022 the BCFNJC announced that the next centres to be opened will be in Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey, and Kelowna in 2023. 

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Justice

RCMP seize drugs and guns in Campbell River

The RCMP have been attempting to crack down on drug trafficking in Campbell River. 

Their most recent press release states that on Thursday March 16, a cache of drugs and guns were found in a house on Ebert Road

According to Cst. Maury Tyre, Media Relations Officer for the detachment, “Police seized over $3000 in cash, 17 grams of crack cocaine, 4 grams of cocaine, 13 grams of Fentanyl, 316 Hydromorphone pills and several other prescription pills.”

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Justice, Women

Greens Take Lead to Stop NDAs from Silencing Victims

By  Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Susan MacRae wants to talk about what happened to her, but she can’t.  

As a young girl, MacRae  signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that prohibits her from discussing  sexual abuse she suffered, even with family members or therapists. 

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Indigenous Nations, Justice

RCMP do not agree to abide by Gitxsan chiefs’ ban on ‘militarized squadron’

By Kaitlyn Bailey, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The B.C. RCMP will not respect a ban from the Gitxsan hereditary chiefs which prohibits the police force’s Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG) from entering their traditional territories.

In an email to Black Press Media, Sgt. Kris Clark wrote that while the B.C. RCMP will “do everything possible” to respect the ban, they have obligations and responsibilities to enforce court injunctions and maintain public safety.

The C-IRG unit is “uniquely situated” to do these tasks through specific training and resources, Clark stated.

Continue reading RCMP do not agree to abide by Gitxsan chiefs’ ban on ‘militarized squadron’ →