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CAEFS - ADVOCACY FOR FEDERALLY SENTENCED PEOPLE IN CANADA
The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS) works to address the persistent ways in which women and gender-diverse people impacted by criminalization are denied humanity. Through this project, students will work with CAEFS Co-Executive Directors to analyze existing and emergent issues in the federal prisons designated for women and impacting federally sentenced people. The focus will be on supporting CAEFS constitutional challenge work, including assisting in case research, development, and materials. Number of students: 1 (a project lead has already been selected) *Students who are aligned with CAEFS’ vision and statement of purpose will likely benefit the most from this project. Strong analytical and research skills, written communication, and motivated to effect systemic change. |
CFBX 92.5 FM - ACCESSING JUSTICE IN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Despite advances in technology, especially those designed for mass media, the medium of radio still reaches a broad cross-section of society. Information disseminated through radio has a high likelihood of reaching people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. Working in teams of three (2 TRU students and 1 UVIC student), student volunteers will research and prepare one thirty-minute radio show. This podcast will explore the state of environmental law in British Columbia today through an access to justice lens. The students will then decide on a specific podcast topic that relates to this broad topic to create and record their radio show. Number of positions: 2 TRU students |
CFBX 92.5 FM - ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND RURAL BRITISH COLUMBIA COMMUNITIES
Despite advances in technology, especially those designed for mass media, the medium of radio still reaches a broad cross-section of society. Information disseminated through radio has a high likelihood of reaching people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. Working in teams of three (2 TRU students and 1 UVIC student), student volunteers will research and prepare one thirty-minute radio show. This podcast will explore the challenges rural communities in British Columbia face in accessing justice. The students will then decide on a specific podcast topic that relates to this broad topic to create and record their radio show. Number of positions: 2 TRU students |
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CFBX 92.5 FM - AN EXPLORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND MENTAL HEALTH LAW
Despite advances in technology, especially those designed for mass media, the medium of radio still reaches a broad cross-section of society. Information disseminated through radio has a high likelihood of reaching people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. Working in teams of three (2 TRU students and 1 UVIC student), student volunteers will research and prepare one thirty-minute radio show. This podcast will dive into the topic of human rights, with a focus in mental health law in British Columbia and Canada. The students will then decide on a specific podcast topic that relates to this broad topic to create and record their radio show. Number of positions: 2 TRU students |
COPSIPE - PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION RESEARCH SUPPORT
Despite a physician shortage, government policy limits the number of physicians who can be licensed to practice medicine by controlling access to residency training. 90% of residency position jobs are protected for graduates of Canadian and American medical schools by prohibiting Canadian citizens and permanent residents from applying for these positions. COPSIPE supports litigation which challenges barriers to immigrant physicians. The focus of this year’s work will be the return of service contract. To have the opportunity to be licensed, immigrant physicians must agree to sign contracts if they match to a residency position. The penalties for failure to work where directed are oppressive and include staggering fines. Student volunteers will research and analyze particular areas of law that impact the validity of the return to service contract. Number of positions: 3 to 4 *Because the position requires the students provide litigation support, the organization asks that only those whoa re strongly committed to the placement, have strong time management skills, and the ability to meet deadlines apply. The final work must be of a high quality and received by the organization with no delays. |
FACL - EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF ASIAN CULTURE, ETHNICITY, AND RACE IN CANADIAN LAW
While the law aims to reflect the mores and values of the society it serves, Canadian decision-makers have been slow to accept non-western values. With more Asian decision-makers being appointed who may be more willing to recognize such concepts and more racialized lawyers in the industry who are bold enough to pursue such novel arguments, that trend may be changing. Student volunteers will research the influence of Asian culture, ethnicity, and race in Canadian court and tribunal cases, with a particular focus on British Columbia. The project will investigate how these concepts influence, are used, considered, or relied upon in the law. By examining relevant case law and literature, the project aims to identify patterns and trends in the integration of Asian cultural perspectives within the legal system. Students will compile those findings in a comprehensive report that analyzes the current legal landscape. Number of positions: 3 to 4 |
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FISCHER & CO LAW CORP - TENANTS AND OVEREXTENDED OWNERS: A SERIES ON STRATA LOT OWNERSHIP / OCCUPANCY
Today, many strata law firms are transitioning to work for strata corporations rather than individual strata owners. Individual owners are overextending themselves to break into an increasingly inaccessible housing market. Many owners are young, retired, or not working full-time and are struggling with living in rentals and see advantages in ownership so purchase housing in strata lot ownership after taking out maximum loans then are not able to afford the special levies or other commitments that they are statutorily obliged to meet. These owners are then in need of advice and information regarding how to handle various situations regarding understanding strata bylaws, and how to handle the various rules and regulations. To help share information, Matthew Fischer is in the beginning stages of developing an independent YouTube series on a pro bono basis that will provide guidance and legal information on select topics to people who need information but are unable to afford the rates of strata lawyers. PBSC students will assist in the research and creation of a short series. Number of positions: 1 to 2 |
INEG - RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS AND GENOCIDE PROJECT
The Intergenerational Network on the Effects of Genocide has been set up in Secwepemc territory to address the intergenerational effects of genocide, after the uncovering of the unmarked graves of Indigenous children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School (KIRS). Students will have the privilege and responsibility to hear and record the stories of Kamloops Indian residential school survivors. Using these (anonymized) stories, students will create a research memo on how the residential school system constituted genocide under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) and related findings. Number of positions: 1 (5 positions have been filled by returning students) *Preference to Indigenous students, but students of all backgrounds are welcome to apply. The organization envisions building teams consisting of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students so they can mutually support each other. |
INTERIOR WOMEN'S CENTRE - A GUIDE ON WHAT TO EXPECT IN COURT
There are many people who are unfamiliar with the protocols, etiquette, or basic navigation of the court system. Attending court can be an incredibly daunting experience, and many people are unaware of their rights as they navigate their way through the judicial system and the various levels of court in British Columbia. To help people better understand their rights and have a better understanding of what to expect when attending court, this project is designed to educate people about their rights and what to expect when applying to and attending Provincial Court, Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal in British Columbia. The student volunteers will work together to create a guidebook / brochure where they will provide an overview of the different court processes in British Columbia, and individuals’ rights as they navigate the judicial system. Number of positions: 3 to 4 |
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INTERIOR WOMEN'S CENTRE - EXPLORING THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GENDER-DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS
The Interior Women's Centre is committed to raising awareness and taking action on the issues that impact women’s equity and equality. This project is designed to empower women and gender-diverse individuals with knowledge of their legal rights in British Columbia. The end result will be a workshop hosted by the students in March that examines how the law in British Columbia and Canada intersects with issues such as discrimination, family relationships, gender-based violence, and access to justice issues faced by women and gender-diverse individuals. Student volunteers will research significant cases and legislation (such as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the BC Human Rights Code) involving the legal rights of women and gender-diverse individuals. The workshop will also include a look into some of the more significant barriers faced by women and gender-diverse individuals in the legal system, legal supports that are in place today such as Legal Aid BC, and recent or ongoing legal changes that affect women’s rights (such as Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia). Number of positions: 2 to 3 |
JUSTICE EDUCATION SOCIETY - ASK JES SUPPORT
The Justice Education Society (JES) introduced Ask JES Legal Help Services in 2013. Each year, Ask JES responds to thousands of legal questions, providing free information and referrals to help British Columbians deal with their legal issues. All inquiries are received by phone, live chat, text message, email or through Facebook Messenger. Ask JES provides legal help information, not legal advice. Under legal supervision, students involved in this project will provide remote online support and legal information to these users. If students are not busy with client work, they will focus on research support to ensure the information used by and Ask JES is current and up to date. Number of positions: 5 to 6 *Students who have a background in client-facing roles would be preferred, though this is not a strict requirement. |
KIS - A NEWCOMERS' GUIDE TO SEPARATION & DIVORCE AND THE GUARDIANSHIP OF CHILDREN
Kamloops Immigrant Services works with newcomers to BC and Canada to provide them with important information, to address issues they might be facing, and to generate opportunities for community learning. For these newcomers, understanding the legal process of separation and divorce and the guardianship of children can be a difficult task. People coming from different jurisdictions may not be familiar with the processes in British Columbia and Canada. To help KIS better serve their clients and to help newcomers understand the necessary legal processes, this project will develop a two-part information video series on ‘Separation & Divorce’ and ‘Guardianship of Children.’ The students will create a script for each video, and the length of each should be approximately 15 to 30 minutes in length. These videos should be presented in plan, accessible English and will provide resources to help direct vulnerable clients. Number of positions: 5 to 6 |
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KSACC - A RESEARCH MEMO ON BARRIERS FOR SEX WORKERS INTERACTING WITH THE SYSTEM
In British Columbia, there are many policies that can produce barriers for sex workers who are interacting with the justice system. These barriers include a fear of reporting crimes due to the stigma associated with sex work, potentially unwanted contact with the police, victim blaming, and a lack of consistent and supportive responses from law enforcement and other institutions. Through this project, the students will create a research memo exploring the policies that produce barriers for sex workers for internal use by KSACC to assist them in their mission to support victims of gender-based violence. Students will research relevant legislation and policies as well as leading cases that highlight the barriers faced by sex workers who are interacting with the system. Number of positions: 2 to 3 |
KSACC - ONLINE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND THE LAW: A GUIDE TO PROTECT TODAY'S YOUTH
Online child sexual exploitation is an ever increasing danger in society today. Social media can be used to sexually exploit young people and promote self-harm to youth to name but a few of the many dangers. Online child exploitation includes child sexual abuse material, self-generated materials and sexting, sextortion, grooming and luring, live child sexual abuse streamlining, and made-to-order content. While the number of police=reported incidents are increasing, only a fraction of incidents are being brought to the attention of the police and the courts. Many young people are unaware of the dangers that can come from an online presence. To combat these dangers, student volunteers will create an informational video and accompanying brochure to be offered to young people to help educate them regarding online safety. This information will include an overview of proposed legislation, Criminal Code provisions, relevant caselaw, and resources for people to turn to if they find themselves in dangerous situations and in need of support of legal intervention. Number of positions: 2 to 3 |
KSCI - MAID COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROJECT
The Kamloops Society for Community Inclusion advocates for their clients, either folks with developmental disabilities, or loved ones of those with developmental disabilities by providing information and resources to promote their empowerment. This educational video and brochure project will outline and summarize relevant laws, case law, and other relevant legal information related to MAID in Canada, looking specifically into requirements and legal standards. The research memo created by student volunteers in 2024/2025 will provide a basis for this project. Number of positions: 3 to 4 *Volunteer work with vulnerable clients is an asset. Clear communication skills and the ability to present complex legal information in plain language is a requirement. |
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MEENA DHILLON LAW CORP. - CHILD PROTECTION 101 FOR NEW CANADIANS
Accessing legal information can be a daunting task for immigrants and newcomers to BC and Canada. This project is designed to create a neutral resource that can be used by multiple different immigrant serving organizations and organizations that work in child protection. The end result will be a brochure created by the student volunteers that gives an overview on child protection, including understanding more broadly what child protection is, who is involved in child protection, and what families should do if they are placed in these situations. The brochure will be distributed to different non profit organizations by the partner organization and by the student volunteers once it is finalized. Number of positions: 2 *A familiarity with the barriers that constrain recent immigrants from accessing justice is beneficial, as is the ability to keep these constraints in mind when drafting the legal fact sheets. Being able to write confidently in accessible language is an asset. |
OKANAGAN THOMPSON LEGAL CLINIC - A GUIDE ON PRESENTING EVIDENCE IN COURT
In British Columbia, the rules around evidence and presenting evidence in court can be quite complicated, especially to people who are unfamiliar with the process and who are acting as self represented litigants. Evidence takes different forms and can include oral evidence, affidavit evidence, documentary evidence, and expert evidence. The rules of evidence determine what is admissible in court, and judges’ ultimately have the authority to decide what evidence is relevant and can be considered. The rules of evidence can vary depending on the level of court and the type of case. To better guide people through the process, student volunteers will create an informational brochure to be distributed by the clinic. Number of positions: 2 |
OKANAGAN THOMPSON LEGAL CLINIC - WHAT TO EXPECT AT A RESIDENTIAL TENANCY BRANCH HEARING
The Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) is the department of the provincial government in charge of residential tenancy law. The RTB runs an administrative tribunal that can adjudicate legal disputes between tenants and landlords. This method of dispute resolution offers a more affordable and accessible process. While there are some disputes that cannot be adjudicated by the RTB, including tenancies not covered by the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), the vast majority of disputes can be adjudicated by the RTB. In order to help tenants and landlords better understand the process and expectations and be able to better prepare for these hearings, student volunteers will create an information guide on what to expect at an RTB hearing. Number of positions: 2 |
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SALC BC - AN INTERNAL RESEARCH MEMO
SALC BC lawyers and legal advocates provide low barrier and culturally sensitive legal support for low-income South Asian families. The Internal Research Memo Project will involve legal research and writing on topics that may include substantive areas of law or information about the practice of law. The research memo will be used to educate SALC BC legal advocates to assist them in sharing information with their clients. The students will be provided with a specific research question and a page limit for their final document at the start of the project. Number of positions: 2 *Familiarity with the barriers that constrain South Asian people in BC and recent immigrants from accessing justice is an asset, as is the ability to keep those constraints in mind when supporting clients and the legal team. The student must be comfortable using MS Office or other comparable programs and have the ability to write confidently in accessible language. Experience in a customer service role is an asset. *There is a strong preference for a student who has some language skills (speaking/reading/writing) in a South Asian Language or who has some familiarity with South Asian cultures. |
SALC BC - CLIENT INTAKE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT
SALC BC lawyers and legal advocates provide low-barrier and culturally sensitive legal support for low-income South Asian families. The Clinic provides a weekly clinic to support clients on limited summary advice files relating to a variety of legal matters: family law, child protection, wills and estates, tenancy rights, employment rights, discrimination, etc. One upper year student will work with the Legal Advice Clinic to provide client intake assistance and support. Number of positions: 1 - upper years only *Familiarity with the barriers that constrain South Asian people in BC and recent immigrants from accessing justice is an asset, as is the ability to keep those constraints in mind when supporting clients and the legal team. The student must be comfortable using MS Office or other comparable programs and have the ability to write confidently in accessible language. Experience in a customer service role is an asset. *There is a strong preference for a student who has some language skills (speaking/reading/writing) in a South Asian Language or who has some familiarity with South Asian cultures. |
TRU GENDER AND SEXUAL DIVERSITY X KAMLOOPS PRIDE - 2SLGBTQ+ GENDER MARKER AND NAME CHANGE CLINIC
BC recently removed the medical requirement for changes to gender designations constituting an important step towards respecting the rights of two-spirit, transgender and gender diverse folks. The right to have identification that matches one’s lived identity, and to have easy access to the legal processes required to align the two, is essential to respecting the dignity of gender-diverse persons. Students will work to run a Gender and Name Change ID Clinic in collaboration with the TRU Gender and Diversity Team and Kamloops Pride. Students will provide client intake and application assistance to folks attending the Clinics. Number of positions: 3 (1 project lead has already been appointed - please indicate if you are interested in becoming a co-lead) *Students must be trans allies; demonstrated commitment to trans ally-ship is an asset. Priority will be given to 2SLGBTQ+ students, particularly transgender students, if they wish to self-identify. Experience with social work or professional interaction with BC Vital Statistics is an asset but not required. Experience in front-line settings or with clinical work is an asset but not required. |
