Who can help

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


Last updated: November 28, 2023

Page contents

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 – Respect at Work Legal Centre
  • People with disabilities – Disability Law Clinic
  • People experiencing sexual harassment – SHARP Workplace Legal Assistance Clinic (CLAS BC)
  • Self-identified women living in the Downtown Eastside – 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

OrganizationServices providedContact infoOffice locationMandate
Access Pro Bono: Summary Advice ProgramRequest 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-helpPhone: (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 BCFor low to modest income earners across BC.
Access Pro Bono: Roster ProgramA 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 ServiceReferrals 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 appointmentToll-free: 1-800-663-1919Book online: https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/lawyer-referral-service For people seeking to hire a lawyer
Amici Curiae Friendship SocietyParalegal assistance with drafting BC and Canadian human rights complaints. No legal advice or representation provided. Virtual Meetings Available Wednesday & Thursday, 5:30-7:30 PMPhone: (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 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 ClinicGives information about human rights problems. Can help with completing complaint forms.Phone: 236-427-1108Email:
lawclinic@disabilityalliancebc.org
 For persons with disabilities.
The Law CentreSummary 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 CentreHelp 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 ClinicMay help with a human rights problem.Phone: (604) 336-5653 Information about Seniors Legal Clinics: http://seniorsfirstbc.ca/programs/legal-programs/seniors-legal-clinics150 -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 BCChild and Youth Legal CentreWe 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) 657-5544Toll 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.
* Specialized client group

Kamloops area

OrganizationServices providedContact infoOffice locationMandate
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

NameServices providedContact infoOffice locationMandate
Elizabeth Fry Legal ClinicAssistance 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 6J6Low-income residents in Kelowna and surrounding areas.

Prince Rupert area

NameServices providedContact infoOffice locationMandate
Prince Rupert Unemployed Action CentreAssistance with
BC Human Rights Complaints.
Phone: (250) 627-8776818 3rd Avenue West
Prince Rupert
BC
V8J 1M6
Legal advocacy for people in Prince Rupert and neighbouring First Nations communities.

Smithers area

OrganizationServices providedContact infoOffice locationMandate
*Dze L. Kant Friendship CentreAssistance 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.
*Specialized Client – Indigenous people in Smithers area

Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Langley areas

OrganizationServices providedContact infoOffice locationMandate
Sources Community Law ClinicAssistance 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

OrganizationServices providedContact infoOffice locationMandate
*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 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) 822-5791Or 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 SocietyAssistance 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 ClinicAssistance 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
* Specialized client group

Victoria, Vancouver Island, and Gulf Islands

OrganizationServices providedContact infoOffice locationMandate
The Law CentreSummary 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).