Disability Law Clinic Resource Referral Guide

In an effort to support people facing difficult situations we cannot assist with, the DLC has created a resource guide with information about other resources that may be useful to you.  These include legal resources arranged by topic, and some non-legal resources.

View the resource guide below, or download it here: Resource Referral Guide.

About the Disability Law Clinic

General Information

The Disability Law Clinic is a program of Disability Alliance BC (DABC). We are a small legal clinic that provides legal information and advice to BC residents with disabilities, about some disability law matters.  Due to our size and our mandate, we are not able to advise in all areas of law that may affect a person with a disability, and we focus on assisting people with modest incomes, who have limited access to other resources.  When we are able to help, we provide assistance through a summary advice consultation with a staff lawyer. If we are unable to help, we will do our best to suggest other resources that may be useful.

Some of the matters the Disability Law Clinic may be able to assist with include:

  • Accessibility Laws
  • Workplace Accommodations in non-union employment situations
  • Human Rights claims on grounds of disability discrimination, including claims that relate to disability and other grounds, and failure to accommodate
  • Questions related to eligibility for private disability insurance, like long term disability Insurance
  • Appeals related to PWD and CPP-D benefits when DABC advaccessocates have taken matters as far as they can
  • Decision making rights, and questions from people whose affairs are managed by the BC Public Guardian and Trustee or by private committeeship
  • Questions from people living in an institutional setting that provides personal support to them

Some of the matters we cannot assist with include:

  • Family law
  • Criminal Law
  • Residential tenancy matters, except possibly where there is a failure to accommodate a disability.  We cannot assist with evictions.
  • ICBC/Personal injury
  • Professional malpractice/negligence by doctors, lawyers and other professionals
  • Employment issues for members of a union

We are a safe space

Our staff, volunteers and clients include people from unique cultures, gender and sexual identities, and disabilities both visible and invisible. We do not tolerate language and behaviour that is discriminatory or otherwise abusive.

How to Get Information to Us:

  • Our email address is lawclinic@dabc.ca
  • Our fax number is: (604) 875-9227.
  • Our address is Suite 1450 – 605 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5J3

If you send information by fax or by mail, please send it “Attn: Disability Law Clinic”. It will take us longer to process information received by fax or by mail.

General Legal Resources

Access Pro Bono (APB) Summary Advice Program

604-878-7400 / 1-877-762-6664
https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/summary-advice-program
An online Triage form may be completed via APB’s website

Provides free legal advice to BC residents who qualify. Offers up to 30-minute appointments on a full range of legal issues, including family, immigration, criminal, and civil law (such as debt, employment, welfare and housing matters). There is a possibility of additional appointments. APB also provides 30-minute advice appointments concerning detainment under the Mental Health Act.

APB offers several other services as well, which are described below and can be accessed at this link: https://accessprobono.ca/get-legal-help

APB Lawyer Referral Service

604-687-3221
https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/lawyer-referral-service

This service is available to BC residents regardless of income. If you contact this service, the staff will get some basic information about your legal matter and then provide you with the name(s) and contact information of one or more lawyers who practice in the relevant area of law. You would then contact the lawyer(s) yourself.

If schedules allow, your lawyer will provide you with 15 minutes of free consultation to determine your legal needs and how you can serve them. Your lawyer may charge you an hourly rate for any time exceeding 15 minutes.

You are not required to hire the lawyer after the consultation, but if you do, the lawyer’s regular fees typically apply. Some lawyers are able to work on a contingency basis, and if you are interested in hiring a lawyer, you can ask them about this. This service works best if you have specific questions in mind ahead of your consult appointment.

Everyone Legal Clinic (ELC) (An APB Program)

778-200-4478
https://everyonelegal.ca/

The ELC is NOT a free service, but is a lower cost, fixed-rate service for family, tenancy, employment, wills/estates, civil, corporate, consumer or criminal law issues. Clients work with articled students who are supervised by lawyers, and there is an initial consultation that has a non-refundable fee, to determine whether the program can assist you.

Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)

https://clasbc.net/our-work/programs/

CLAS – BC Human Rights Clinic Program

Human Rights Inquiry Line:

604-622-1100 or toll free 1-855-685-6222; infobchrc@clasbc.net

The BC Human Rights Clinic operates a telephone Inquiry Line which can provide general information to complainants about the BC Human Rights Code and Tribunal process.

The Inquiry Line cannot provide legal advice and may refer a client to their Short Service Clinic if their situation is complex and requires legal advice.

Short Service Clinic:

Operates on Wednesdays, you may book an appointment online at https://bchrc.net/services/short-service-clinic/

The Short Service Clinic provides free, 30-minute phone appointments with a lawyer or legal advocate who can provide general information about the human rights complaint process, how to file a human rights complaint, or help you understand how the BC Human Rights Code may apply to your situation.

The Short Service Clinic is able to provide legal advice and can answer specific client questions about their situation.

Human Rights Clinic:

604-622-1100 or 1-855-685-6222; intakebchrc@clasbc.net

You may submit an application for legal assistance online at https://bchrc.net/services/legal-services/

Provides free legal assistance to people who have already filed a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal. May provide summary advice, 1-2 hour legal consultations, or legal representation.

CLAS – Mental Health Law

604-685-3425 or 1-855-685-6222

People who have been detained under the Mental Health Act or similar provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada and have applied for or have an upcoming review hearing.

 CLAS – Stand Informed Legal Advice Services

604-673-3143 or toll-free 1-888-685-6222
standinformed@clasbc.net

CLAS lawyers may provide up to 3 hours of free and confidential legal advice to anyone in British Columbia who has been sexually assaulted.

Law Students Legal Advice Program (UBC’s Allard School of Law)

https://lslap.bc.ca
604-822-5791

Provides free legal advice and representation to clients in the Lower Mainland who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance.  Can provide summary advice or representation on a case-by-case basis in many areas.  For information on areas covered, see: https://www.lslap.bc.ca/services.html

LSLAP – Animal Law Clinic

Provides legal assistance to low-income people for matters concerning animals and animals’ interests. Contact LSLAP and mention your issue relates to animals to connect with the Animal Law Clinic.

Legal AID BC

Greater Vancouver: 604-408-2172
Elsewhere in BC: 1-866-577-2525
https://legalaid.bc.ca

Offers free legal information and legal advice for limited areas of criminal law, immigration law, family law, and child protection matters. May provide representation to individuals whose legal issues and circumstances qualify.

Sources Community Law Clinic

778-735-1368

Can provide advocacy, legal advice and representation, mainly to low-income individuals, in many areas of the law including: social assistance, income assistance, tenancy, employment, workers compensation, human rights, debt and disability (including mental health).

Immigration and Refugee Legal Clinic 

www.irlc.ca

778-372-6583 or info@irlc.ca 

 The IRLC provides free legal advice and representation, with interpretation services, to low-income residents of British Columbia with immigration and refugee legal matters. IRLC offers legal advice to people who are in Canada with temporary or no immigration status and who would face serious harm if they are forced to leave Canada. The clinic acts as a safety net for individuals and families, whose cases do not qualify, or are difficult to address, within the Legal Aid system. 

If you need legal help, please fill out IRLC’s intake form or reach out by email, phone or WhatsApp. An intake worker will contact you as soon as possible during their intake hours (Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Pacific Time).

Unfortunately, IRLC is unable to assist you if you are:

Living outside of BC; Applying for a study permit ; Applying for a work permit or PR under most economic categories (Express Entry, International Experience Class, Canadian Experience Class, etc.); Looking for representation with an application for spousal or common-law sponsorship; a Canadian citizen or resident who is looking to help bring someone to Canada from another country. 

Disability-related assistance

DABC Advocacy Access

604-872-1278
advocacy@dabc.ca

Applications and Reconsiderations for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefits and related benefits; Canada Pension Plan – Disability.

DABC Access RDSP

604-872-1278
RDSP@dabc.ca

Information and support to apply for Disability Tax Credit; information about Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).

DABC Tax AID

236-477-1717
Taxaid@dabc.ca

Assistance for individuals with disabilities in filing tax returns.

Family Support Institute

https://familysupportbc.com/
604-540-8374 ext. 523 or toll free 1-800-441-5403

The Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not for profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability. FSI helps families navigate through resources that a family member with a disability might need in areas such as education and healthcare. FSI’s supports and services are free to any family.

Vela Canada

https://velacanada.org/

A non-profit organization that works with people with disabilities to create Microboards and other tools to help them meet their care needs.

Crisis Support

National Suicide Crisis Helpline

Call or text 9-8-8, available 24 hours a day

BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line

1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433), available 24 hours a day or www.crisiscentre.bc.ca

Mental Health Support Line (BC Wide)

310-6789 (No Area Code needed), available 24 hours a day

Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line

604-872-3311

Youth in BC Online Crisis Chat for Youth

under 25 years old, 12pm-midnight: www.youthinbc.com

Seniors Distress Line

604-872-1234, available 24 hours a day

KUU-US Crisis Line Society (for Indigenous clients across BC)

Toll free 1-800-KUU-US17 (1-800-588-8717)
Adults: 250-723-4050
Youth: 250-723-2040
Métis Line: 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722)

British Columbia Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

www.bc-malesurvivors.com

604-682-6482

Provides therapeutic services for male-identifying persons who have been sexually abused at some time in their lives.

Salal Sexual Violence Support Center (previously WAVAW)

24-hour Crisis and Information Line: 604-255-6344 or toll free at 1-877-392-7583
www.salalsvsc.ca
admin@salalsvsc.ca 

Salal provides free-of-charge immediate crisis and long-term support services support to women, trans, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, and gender diverse survivors of sexualized violence.

  • 24-hour crisis and information line
  • Hospital accompaniment
  • Support navigating the medical and legal system
  • One-to-one counselling and support groups
  • Counselling for Indigenous survivors and the friends and family of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people

Battered Women’s Support Services

Crisis and Intake Line: 1-855-687-1868 or in Metro Vancouver 604-687-1867

Family Law

Rise Women’s Legal Centre

General & Administrative Inquiries: 604-451-7447
www.womenslegalcentre.ca

Clients in the Lower Mainland: clc@womenslegalcentre.ca
Clients outside the Lower Mainland: vlc@womenslegalcentre.ca

Provides limited free legal services to self-identifying women and gender diverse clients who qualify, primarily in the area of family law. They provide trauma-informed legal services to clients who have experience family violence. Rise does not provide full legal representation for clients.

It is important to complete the Confidential Appointment Request Form at womenslegalcentre.ca/for-clients and submit it before contacting Rise for assistance.

If you are unable to complete the online form, or email Rise, you can leave a voicemail at 236-317-9000.

Legal Aid BC Family LawLINE

604-408-2172 (Greater Vancouver) or
1-866-577-2525 (elsewhere in BC)
https://legalaid.bc.ca/services/family-lawline

Family LawLINE lawyers give brief “next step” advice to qualified individuals about family law issues such as:

  • Parenting time or contact/access
  • Guardianship/custody
  • Child support
  • Spousal support
  • Property division
  • Family agreements
  • Court procedures
  • Child protection

Legal Aid BC – Parents Legal Centres

https://legalaid.bc.ca/services/parents-legal-centres

1-888-522-2752

Parents Legal Centres (PLCs) help parents with child protection matters in the community. The PLC lawyer and advocate can help you address the social worker’s concerns about your children’s safety (child protection) early on. Together they can help you find solutions that work for you and your family. You may be eligible for PLC services if:

  • your income and assets fall within a qualifying range, and
  • you are a parent, guardian, or a person standing in the place of a parent.

Legal Aid BC – Family Law Centre

https://legalaid.bc.ca/services/family-law-centre

If you are a survivor of family violence and can’t afford legal representation, you may be eligible for Family Law Centre services to help you stabilize your legal and non-legal issues. This service is free and helps to address legal and non-legal issues for survivors of family violence.

Sources Legal Resource Center Family Law Advocacy

778-731-9192
www.sourcesbc.ca/our-services/family-law-advocacy/

Sources can assist with matters of separation and divorce, guardianship and parenting arrangements, child and spousal support and protection orders. They support individuals in navigating the family justice system by providing legal information, assistance with court forms, court preparation and emotional support. They can assist with both provincial and Supreme Court matters

Provides Service in English, Punjabi and Hindi.

Child and Youth Legal Centre

778-657-5544 or 1-877-462-0037
https://scyofbc.org/child-youth-legal-centre
cylc@scyofbc.org

Provides free legal advice and assistance to children and youth aged 19 and under experiencing problems relating to family law. If the youth is older than 19, and the legal problem started before they turned 19, CYLC may still be able to help. CYLC helps children and youth to make sure that their rights, interests and points of view are heard and respected. They can help children and youth throughout BC. Children and youth can call directly, and any assistance provided is free.

Note: As of March 2025, the Child and Youth Legal Centre no longer assists with human rights matters. Their scope is now limited to family law matters.

Battered Women’s Support Services – Justice Centre

Crisis and Intake Line: 1-855-687-1868 or in Metro Vancouver 604-687-1867
www.bwss.org/support/programs/justice-centre/
intake@bwss.org

A community- based legal clinic, providing trauma and violence informed, multilingual, and culturally responsive legal services to diverse women who have experienced violence in BC, as well as community education and training about violence against women. BWSS may be able to provide legal advice and representation for woman-identifying individuals who qualify, and if the issue is a family law, child protection or immigration law matter.

The BWSS Justice Centre also runs a Family Law Clinic, which provides summary legal advice clinics in family law with volunteer lawyers from the community.

These clinics are able to offer necessary summary legal advice to women on a continuous basis while they are unrepresented in the family law system.

Indigenous Clients

Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC) / British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS)

https://bcands.bc.ca
Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511
BC Capital Region: 250-381-7303

Provides information and assistance applying for PWD benefits and related medical services, and case management to help people navigate when they require services from multiple organizations. They can also assist people to apply for the Disability Tax Credit so they can open the Registered Disability Savings Plan. BCANDS serves Indigenous people living anywhere in BC, and anyone living on reserve.

 Indigenous Community Legal Clinic (DTES/UBC School of Law)

https://allard.ubc.ca/community-clinics/indigenous-community-legal-clinic
604-822-5421
iclc@allard.ubc.ca

The Indigenous Community Legal Clinic (ICLC) may be able to provide free advice, assistance, and representation to eligible clients who cannot afford a lawyer and who self-identify as Indigenous persons.  who qualify for legal assistance and have a legal issue that falls under the jurisdiction of the British Columbia provincial courts. Examples of cases dealt with at the ICLC include, but are not limited to:

  • Administrative and civil law matters
  • Criminal matters
  • Aboriginal law/Indigenous legal issues
  • Family law matters
  • Child protection
  • Human Rights complaints
  • Letters of administration
  • Limited divorce assistance
  • Police complaints

Note: the ICLC does not provide full legal representation in Supreme Court matters. 

Salal Sexual Violence Support Center (previously WAVAW)

24-hour Crisis and Information Line: 604-255-6344 or toll free at1-877-392-7583
www.salalsvsc.ca
admin@salalsvsc.ca

Salal provides free-of-charge immediate crisis and long-term support services support to women, trans, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, and gender diverse survivors of sexualized violence.

  • 24-hour crisis and information line
  • Hospital accompaniment
  • Support navigating the medical and legal system
  • One-to-one counselling and support groups
  • Counselling for Indigenous survivors and the friends and family of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people

KUU-US Crisis Line Society (for Indigenous persons living in BC)

www.kuu-uscrisisline.com
Adult/Elder Line: 250-723-4050
Child/Youth Line: 250-723-2040
BC Wide Toll Free:1-800-KUU-US17 (1-800-588-8717)
Métis Crisis Line: 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722)

Provides 24/7 crisis-line phone support for Indigenous persons across BC. They can also help those experiencing homelessness in the Port Alberni area. They also provide 24-hour local crisis mobile outreach services.

Mental Health Legal Services

Access Pro Bono Summary Advice regarding BC’s Mental Health Act

604-878-7400
https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/summary-advice-program
An online Triage form may be completed via Access Pro Bono’s website

Access Pro Bono offers up to 30 minutes of free legal advice over the telephone or by video conference, to individuals detained under BC’s Mental Health Act (or their relatives). Volunteer lawyers can advise on the following topics:

  • What it means to be certified under the Mental Health Act 

  • How to apply for a review
  • Legal test and procedures at review hearings
  • How to prepare for a hearing

Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)

https://clasbc.net/our-work/programs/

Mental Health Law: 604-685-3425 or 1-855-685-6222

People who have been detained under the Mental Health Act or similar provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada and have applied for or have an upcoming review hearing.

The Kettle Society

www.thekettle.ca/advocacy
604-253-0669

Supports people living with a combination of mental illness, mental health problems, low-income, or homelessness to address both individual needs and systemic issues that may impact their mental health and well-being.

Advocacy program can assist such individuals with mental health & human rights matters, child protection and family law, residential tenancy & housing, income security and financial hardship, access to health care and substance use supports.

Sources Community Law Clinic

778-735-1368
www.sourcesbc.ca/our-services/community-law-clinic/

Can provide advocacy, legal advice and representation, mainly to low-income individuals, in many areas of the law including: social assistance, income assistance, tenancy, employment, workers compensation, human rights, debt and disability (including mental health).

Power of Attorney and Representation Agreements

Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre

604-408-7414
https://nidus.ca
info@nidus.ca

Nidus has information and offer support with financial and health-related planning documents. They are specialists in Representation Agreements.

Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN)

https://plan.ca
604-558-2055

An organization that works with families to plan for the long-term needs of their family members with disabilities.  Although there is a lot of focus on financial planning, they also have information about other aspects of long-term planning for family members with disabilities.  Some of their services are free and some have a fee.

RDSP and Disability Planning Helpline:

1-844-311-7526
helpline@planinstitute.ca

Offers a national toll-free helpline that anyone can call for one-on-one support on the RDSP or any disability-related questions. This includes the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), trusts and estate planning, advocacy approaches, government benefit programs social network building, and more.   

Residential Tenancy

Tenants Resource Advisory Centre (TRAC)

Tenant Info Line: 604-255-0546 / 1-800-665-1185
Weekdays 1-5pm except Wed: 5:30-8:30pm
tenants.bc.ca

Please note that TRAC is a small organization and can only assist a limited number of clients at any given time. TRAC may be able to represent people who face complex Residential Tenancy Branch matters, situations where multiple tenants in a building are affected, or situations that fall outside RTA. To see if you are eligible for our services, contact TRAC’s Paralegal, Ana De Pablos, at 604-255-3099 ext. 230.

A TRAC Housing Law Clinic Lawyer may be able to provide free legal advice and/or representation for the following types of cases:

  • you would like a Supreme Court Judge to review your Residential Tenancy Branch decision for a serious error or unfairness;
  • you need help enforcing a Residential Tenancy Branch monetary order through Small Claims Court; or
  • your housing situation falls outside of the Residential Tenancy Act (e.g. co-operative housing) and you need legal assistance.

A TRAC Legal Advocate may be able provide free legal representation at RTB dispute resolution for the following types of cases:

  • you and other tenants in your building are being affected by the same tenancy issue(s) and would like to file for dispute resolution as a group;
  • you are an individual tenant experiencing a tenancy issue that TRAC considers serious, common, or systemic;

 Sources Community Law Clinic

778-735-1368
www.sourcesbc.ca/our-services/community-law-clinic/

Can provide advocacy, legal advice and representation, mainly to low-income individuals, in many areas of the law including: social assistance, income assistance, tenancy, employment, workers compensation, human rights, debt and disability (including mental health).

Law Students Legal Advice Program (UBC School of Law)

https://lslap.bc.ca
604-822-5791

Provides free legal advice and representation to clients in the Lower Mainland who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance.  Can provide summary advice or representation on a case-by-case basis in many areas, including residential tenancy. For information on areas covered, see: https://www.lslap.bc.ca/services.html

Seniors

 Seniors First BC

Seniors Abuse & Information Line (SAIL): 604-437-1940/1-866-437-1940

https://seniorsfirstbc.ca

Can accommodate hearing impaired individuals, through video relay service or submit the contact form on their website to request a Zoom meeting and interpreter.

Provides information, legal advocacy, support and referrals to older adults across BC who are dealing with issues affecting their well-being or rights. They also assist those concerned about the welfare of older adults. They can assist with drafting and executing Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Representation Agreements. Additionally, they provide victim services support to adults over 50 years old who have experienced crime and/or abuse.

Seniors First also offers an Elder Law Clinic, which provides pro bono legal advice to eligible older adults aged 55+  on a wide range of legal matters, including:

  • Preparing Advance Planning documents, such as wills, powers of attorney, and representation agreements.
  • Explaining legal proceedings and what to expect in court.
  • Reviewing court documents.
  • Preparing cases and submissions.
  • Representation at certain court hearings.
  • Assistance in matters of adult guardianship.
  • General legal advice.

Note they do not provide legal services on family or criminal law matters.

Seniors First also operates a Legal Advocacy Program, which can provide legal advice and representation on the following legal issues:

  • Residential Tenancy/Housing
  • Debt
  • Pensions and Benefits

Canadian Centre for Elder Law

ccelderlaw.ca
604-822-0142
ccel@bcli.org

The CCEL conducts research and develops reports and educational tools about legal and policy issues related to aging. The CCEL collaborates with community stakeholders and organizations to identify and address subjects that impact older people.

BC Housing: Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER)

604-433-2218 or 1-800-257-7756
www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-assistance-programs/SAFER

Helps make rents affordable for qualified BC seniors with low to moderate incomes. SAFER provides monthly cash payments to subsidize rents for eligible BC residents who are age 60 or over.

Seniors Distress Line

604-872-1234, available 24 hours a day

Transgender and Gender Diverse Support

Catherine White Holman Wellness Center

604-442-4352
https://cwhwc.com
contactus@cwhwc.com

The CWHWC provides low-barrier wellness and legal services to two-spirit, transgender and gender non-conforming people. The CWHWC offers free services to people who need them regardless of factors like citizenship and health insurance. The CWHWC can help people update their legal name and gender-marker, answer questions about ID updates, help pay for the cost of updating ID’s, and help to update other identification such as passport, BC Service card, and driver’s licence. They can also provide summary advice on most legal issues.

Trans Rights BC

www.transrightsbc.ca
transcarebc@phsa.ca

The Trans Rights BC project has reviewed trans-specific legal education resources that already exist, and lawyers involved with the project have referenced and reviewed human rights legislation for the province of British Columbia, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and other relevant policy and statues of relevance. They have developed content and accessible resources that reflect common concerns and align with current legislation. Website contains information about transgender rights in Public Spaces/Services, Education, Housing, Employment, Healthcare, Harassment & Violence, Parenting, Police & Prison System, Immigration & Refugee Issues, and Sex Work.

Qmunity

https://qmunity.ca/legal-clinic
For general inquiries: intake@qmunitylegalclinic.ca or 236-521-0573
There is also an intake form on their website above.

Provides queer, trans, and Two-Spirit individuals with free counselling, information and referrals, access to gender-affirming services, youth one-on-one peer support, support groups, and operates a Trans ID Clinic.

Qmunity’s 2SLGBTQIA+ legal clinic offers free, low-barrier legal services tailored to the unique needs of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual individuals in BC. Provides consultation, referrals, and limited representation on various legal issues including (but not limited to) family law, employment, human rights and tenancy related issues

While lawyers can provide advice and guidance, they may not be able to represent you in court proceedings. 

Regional Resources

TAPS (for Victoria/Vancouver Island)

www.tapsbc.ca

TAPS Victoria location provides legal advocacy services to those located in Greater Victoria, Western Communities, Sooke, and Southern Gulf Islands.

Victoria: 250-361-3521

TAPS Nanaimo location provides legal advocacy services in Nanaimo, Parksville, Ladysmith, and adjacent Gulf Islands.

Nanaimo: 250-824-0995

Legal Advocacy program can assist with Residential Tenancy and income assistance issues, including appeals to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal (EAAT).

TAPS can also assist with PWD applications.

Thompson Okanagan Legal Centre

bclegalclinic.com
236-425-9121
info@bclegalclinic.com

Family law advocates provide assistance to clients in identifying legal issues related to guardianship and parenting time, child support, spousal support, separation agreements, property and debt, and child protection information and guidance.

The poverty law advocates provide assistance to clients with matters pertaining to accessing income assistance, provincial disability benefits, federal income security programs, employment insurance benefits, debt, and residential tenancy issues.

May provide lawyer legal representation in the following areas:

  • Human rights
  • Employment
  • Debt
  • Judicial Reviews
  • Disability
  • Civil litigation (excluding personal injury, real estate, and corporate matters)
  • Indigenous legal matters
  • Limited family law

Prince George Community Legal Clinic – a division of the Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society

www.pguajs.ca/services/community-legal-clinic
(250) 612-2582
infoclc@pguajs.ca

The CLC provides advocacy as well as legal advice and representation, mainly to low-income individuals, in many areas of the law including:

  • Income Assistance
  • Disability (Provincial & Federal)
  • CPP Pension, OAS, GIS
  • Survivor Pension, Death Benefit
  • Employment Law (EI and Employment Standards)
  • Residential Tenancy and Tenancy related to the Civil Resolution Tribunal
  • Understanding Debt and Debt Collection
  • Human Rights
  • Judicial Reviews of Administrative Tribunal decisions, as appropriate
  • Indigenous legal issues (including Indian status applications, health benefits, band applications, housing, and income security)

Other Resources

 Povnet:

https://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate – This is a search tool that allows you to find a legal advocate near you or one that serves people provincially.

BC Housing:  

https://www.bchousing.org/home.  This is the main point of access to social housing.  You can submit an application and your doctor can complete a supplemental form to your application if your health is at risk. Unfortunately, people often still wait years to be approved, so you may want to connect with other resources that support people looking for housing.

Housing Registry Inquiry Line

1 -800-257-7756 (toll-free) or 604-433-2218
Main resource for people looking for low income and/or supported housing in BC

Sources Advocacy, Housing and Prevention Services

Advocacy Services Program: 778-735-1368
Housing Program: 778-731-9195
https://www.sourcesbc.ca/our-services/advocacy-housing-prevention-services/. 

Comprised of several mental health, disability and poverty-related programs based out of Sources Newton Resource Centre in Surrey. Our programs include:

  • Mental Health Advocacy
  • Poverty Law Program
  • Ask An Advocate
  • Housing First
  • Homelessness Prevention Services
  • Rent Bank

Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 

1-833-900-1010- 24/7 access, can also use the chat function on the website.

https://www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca/what-we-do/ 

The Kettle Society

604-251-2801
www.thekettle.ca

Serves people living in Vancouver, Burnaby and New West, and those who rely on services located in Vancouver ONLY.

Advocacy (income assistance, crisis supplements, OAS, GIC etc., residential tenancy complaints and poor treatment/misdiagnosis/human rights concerns of people with mental health diagnoses.

Services offered include: Supportive housing, non-emergency medical care, ID bank, clothing and alterations, annual tax clinic for supports people living with a combination of mental illness, mental health problems, low-income, or homelessness to address both individual needs and systemic issues that may impact their mental health and well-being.

Office of the Ombudsperson (BC):

Victoria: 250-387-5855/Toll-free: 1-800-567-3247
bcombudsperson.ca

Investigates complaints about unfairness in BC government services and makes recommendations to resolve disputes if internal process has not led to resolution.

Representative for Children and Youth (BC)

https://rcybc.ca
Rcy@rcybc.ca
250-356-6710 or toll –free 1-800-476-3933

Provides free information and advocacy for children, youth and young adults up to age 27, about services related to family support, child protection, foster care, adoption, guardianship, services for children and youth with disabilities, youth justice, early childhood development and child care services, mental health and addiction services for children, and CLBC services for young adults between their 19th and 27th birthdays.

West Coast Prison Justice Society: Prisoners’ Legal Services

https://prisonjustice.org

A free legal service for prisoners in both federal and provincial prisons located in BC. They can provide summary advice and legal information, as well as limited representation on matters regarding prisoner welfare, including general treatment, human rights and medical care.

Incarcerated individuals should call 1-866-577-5245 (if at a federal institution) or 604-636-0464 (if at a provincial institution). Organizational/administrative questions may be directed to 604-636-0470 or info@pls-bc.ca.

Workers Advisors Office:

Contacts for locations throughout BC can be found at: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/personal-injury-and-workplace-safety/offices

604-335-5931 or toll free at 1-800-663-4261

Provides advice and assistance to those who disagree with a WCB decision, can’t get a decision or are raising concerns about workplace safety.

Advises, assists and represents workers and their dependents on workers compensation issues. The WAO is independent from WorkSafeBC and WAO’s services are free of charge.

To access WAO’s services workers should submit their inquiry online at:

www.gov.bc.ca/workersadvisers. Workers should have their claim number(s) available, as well contact details and some information about the issues for which they are seeking assistance.