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
- 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 – 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
| 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: https://www.accessprobono.ca/get-legal-help | Phone: (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 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: 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 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 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 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: 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 Clinic | Gives information about human rights problems. Can help with completing complaint forms. | Phone: 236-427-1108Email: lawclinic@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: 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 Centre | 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: 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 Clinic | May help with a human rights problem. | Phone: (604) 336-5653 Information about Seniors Legal Clinics: http://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. |
| *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 Centre | 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) 657-5544Toll 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. |
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 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
| 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 or Email: legalclinic@kamloopsefry.com Web info: https://kamloopsefry.com/#community-justice | 304-554 Leon Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6J6 | Low-income residents in Kelowna and 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 | 818 3rd Avenue West Prince Rupert BC V8J 1M6 | Legal advocacy for people in Prince Rupert and neighbouring First Nations communities. |
Smithers area
| Organization | Services provided | Contact info | Office location | Mandate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Dze L. Kant Friendship Centre | Assistance 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. |
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: 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
| Organization | Services provided | Contact info | Office location | Mandate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *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 Society | 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: 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 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: 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 |
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: 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). |