Who can help
The organizations listed below may be able to help with your human rights problem or case
Last updated: March 22, 2024
Page contents
- Overview
- British Columbia – serving all parts of the province
- Kamloops area
- Kelowna area
- Prince Rupert area
- Smithers area
- Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Langley areas
- Vancouver area
- Victoria, Vancouver Island, and Gulf Islands
Overview
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:
- the services – what the organization may be able to help with
- contact information and office location
- mandate – who the organization may be able to help
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.
Specialized client groups:
- Indigenous people in Smithers area: Dze L. Kant Friendship Centre
- Indigenous people in BC: BC Human Rights Clinic, Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
- Migrant workers or newcomers who have experienced sexual harassment: Migrant Workers Centre, The Immigration and Refugee Legal Clinic (IRLC)
- People with disabilities: Disability Law Clinic
- People experienced sexual assault: Stand Informed legal advice services
- Self-identified women living in Greater Vancouver: Atira Women’s Resource Society
- Seniors, 55+: Seniors First BC Elder Law Clinic
- Young people: Society for Children and Youth of BC, Child and Youth Legal Centre
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: accessprobono.ca/get-legal-help | Phone: (604) 878-7400 Toll-free: 1-877-762-6664 Email: appointments@accessprobono.ca Web info: 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: 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 Toll-free: 1-800-663-1919 Email: appointments@accessprobono.ca Book online: 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: 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) Specialized client group: indigenous people in BC | 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 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: bchrc.net | 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 Specialized client group: people with disabilities | Gives information about human rights problems. Can help with completing complaint forms. | Phone: 236-427-1108 Email: lawclinic@disabilityalliancebc.org Web info: 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: 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 Specialized client group: migrant workers or newcomers who have experienced sexual harassment | 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: 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 Specialized client group: seniors, 55+ | May help with a human rights problem. | Phone: (604) 336-5653 Web info: 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. |
| Society for Children and Youth of BCChild and Youth Legal Centre Specialized client group: young people | 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 (general inquiries): info@scyofbc.org Email (legal support inquiries): cylc@scyofbc.org Web info: scyofbc.org | 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. |
| Stand Informed legal advice services Specialized client group: People experienced sexual assault | Their lawyers provide up to 3 hours of free and confidential legal advice to anyone in British Columbia who has been sexually assaulted. A lawyer will explain your rights and the legal options available to you. If you need more time, your lawyer can request an additional 2 hours to assist you. | Phone: (604) 673-3143 Toll-free 1-888-685-6222 Email: standinformed@clasbc.net You can also complete their application for legal services and email it to them. | Anyone who was sexually assaulted in B.C.; and lives in B.C. |
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 Web info: kamloopsefry.com/#community-justice | 702-235 1st Avenue Kamloops, BC V2C3J4 | For low-income people living in: – Kamloops – 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: tru.ca/law/students/outreach/legal-clinic.html | 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 Email: legalclinic@kamloopsefry.com Web info: kamloopsefry.com/community-justice-legal-services | 304-554 Leon Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6J6 | For low-income people living in: – Kelowna – 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 Email: advocate.pruac@citywest.ca Web info: facebook.com/people/Prince-Rupert-Unemployed-Action-Centre/100067040643693 | 818 3rd Avenue West Prince Rupert BC V8J 1M6 | For people living in: – Prince Rupert – neighbouring First Nations communities. |
Smithers area
| Organization | Services provided | Contact info | Office location | Mandate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dze L. Kant Friendship Centre Specialized client group: indigenous people in Smithers area | Assistance with BC Human Rights Complaints. | Phone: (250) 847-5211 ext. 210 Email: legal.advocacy@dzelkant.com Web info: dzelkant.com/legal-support-worker | 1188 Main Street P.O. Box 2920 Smithers, BC V0J 2N0 | For indigenous people living in: – Smithers – 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: 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) Specialized client group: indigenous people in BC | 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 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: bchrc.net | 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 (in English): (604) 822-5791 Phone (in Chinese): (604) 684-1628 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: lslap.bc.ca | Legal clinics are provided throughout the lower mainland. | For low-income earners who live in: – Greater Vancouver. |
| Atira Women’s Resource Society Specialized client group: self-identified women living in Greater Vancouver | 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: atira.bc.ca/what-we-do/program/legal-advocacy | 101 E. Cordova St Vancouver, BC. V6A 1K7 | All self-identified women who cannot afford to pay for legal help, living in: – Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES) – Greater Vancouver. |
| 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: 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: 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: vihrc.com | #418-620 View Street Victoria, BC V8W1J6 | For complainants and duty bearers on: – Vancouver Island – Gulf Islands. |