Basic Human Rights for Union Activists
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM PST This is a virtual event
This workshop provides an overview of the legal protections workers enjoy under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, human rights legislation, collective agreements, and employer policies. Participants will learn about the differences between federal and provincial human rights protection, prohibited grounds, protected areas, gaps in existing legal protection and exceptions and special programs. It will also cover the different roles of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the BC Human Rights Tribunal, the BC Human Rights Commissioner, the CLAS Human Rights Clinic and the Ombudsperson’s Office, anatomy of a human rights claim, available remedies and practice in writing and filing a claim.
Facilitator: Adrienne Smith, Adrienne Smith Law
Adrienne Smith is a transgender human rights activist and social justice lawyer. They recently settled a BC Supreme Court case which guaranteed access to opiate replacement therapy for prisoners in BC Jails. Adrienne appeared at the BC Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada where they argued about the deleterious effects of mandatory minimum sentences for women, indigenous people and drug users. As a trade union activist, they advocate for transgender inclusion in our unions and workplaces. Adrienne volunteers at the Catherine White Holman Wellness Clinic where they give free legal advice, take on human rights cases, and notarize name change documents for trans people.
They hold double honors BA in English Literature and Geography (2000), a Masters in Human Geography (2005), and a juris Doctor (2013), all from the University of British Columbia. They held a BC undergraduate scholarship for 4 years, and the Geography Alumni Award during their undergraduate degree. They received a University Graduate Fellowship and were named to the Green College Scholar. They were called to the bar in 2014.
Adrienne is the recipient of the Canadian Bar Association BC Diversity Award; the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Branch Nancy Hall Public Policy Leadership Award; the Allard Law Alumni Achievement Award; and the Vancouver and District Labour Council Syd Thompson Award for Community Service.
Ticket Information for VDLC Affiliates – If you wish for your ticket to be invoiced, please have your union contact the VDLC office to make arrangements.
Zoom link and any material will be forwarded a few days prior to class.