UBC is sharing a 10-question survey that explores peoples’ experience finding and using free legal information, education, and resources to solve their legal problem (this includes the support of a legal advocate or free legal clinic). The survey will be open until February 28, 2025.

They want to hear from people who:

• Are over 18 years of age.
• Reside in British Columbia.
• Have had a legal problem and looked for free legal information, education, and/or resources to solve their legal issue (Note: the issue does not have to be resolved).

UBC Ethics ID: H24-01341
Principal Investigator: Dr. Catherine Dauvergne
Questions: plei.project@ubc.ca

Access the survey here: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3yFL0AjhWfTJ5hs

Or, download the info sheet here and scan the QR code.

We are sad to announce the passing of Allan Parker, former executive director of Access Pro Bono and good friend of the BCCPD. Allan was a poverty law lawyer with the community law office in Nanaimo and with the Legal Services Society for many years. He had a passion for law and social justice and was an excellent teacher. He was very supportive of community advocacy and taught advocates around the province the skills they needed to the best job possible. He was known for his dry humour, thoroughness and commitment to justice.

Our condolences to Allan’s family, friends and colleagues at Access Pro Bono. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 23 at 1:00 pm at Gilmore Park United Church, 8060 No. 1 Rd., Richmond, BC.

Obituary and guest book in the Vancouver Sun: http://tinyurl.com/7rttb25

People receiving basic income assistance or disability benefits (PWD or PPMB) who are part of the Zyprexa Class Action are starting to receive cheques for amounts of up to $10,000 and in some cases more.

Benefits recipients are required to declare this payout to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), however small it may be.

The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) has contacted MSD’s Vancouver Regional Office to determine how the Ministry is going to treat this income. We have been advised that MSD considers this payout as a one time financial award that will be exempted up to a family unit’s asset level. [Please see Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation Schedule B, Section 7(c)]

This means that if, for example, a single PWD recipient receives a payout of less than $3,000 through the class action it will not affect their disability benefits. When a payout is over the allowed family unit asset level, benefits will be reduced or stopped for at least one month depending on the size of the payout. However most recipients who receive a payout that is more than their asset level should not have their benefits reduced or stopped for more than one month.

The MSD rules on asset and income exemptions are complex. We know from clients and other organizations that there is confusion and misunderstanding in the community about how Zyprexa payouts impact benefits. Consequently some people may have not reported their payout or spent all the money they received.

If you hear from people concerned about how Zyprexa class action payouts affect their benefits we strongly recommend that they speak to an advocate.

Please feel free to contact or refer them to Robin Loxton at 604-872-1278, or toll-free long-distance: 1-800-663-1278.