News/Events

The B.C. Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support operates the Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL), a provincial helpline. 

SAIL is a safe place for older adults, and those who care about them, to talk to  someone about situations where they feel they are being abused or mistreated, or to receive information about elder abuse prevention.

Volunteering for the Seniors Abuse and Information Line provides an opportunity to learn, share knowledge and work with older adults and their family to help seniors who are abused or neglected; make a difference in the lives of older adults and be part of the coordinated community strategy and response to prevent and end elder abuse and neglect.

For more information, see their post.

If you are interested, please visit their website www.bcceas.ca or call Grace Balbutin – Director, SAIL at 604.688.1927 ext 222.

Be it resolved that the British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI) and Boughton Law Corporation’s Great Debate will be an evening of hilarity, camaraderie, stunning rhetoric and taxing puns.

The fifth annual Great Debate to be held on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at the Pan Pacific Centre will argue that the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) should be retained, not eliminated. Arguing for the resolution are Tony Wilson, Boughton, and Emily Clough, Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang. Against are Michael Bain, Hamilton Howell Bain & Gould, and James Tate, Ratcliff & Company. The evening, to be hosted by CBC Radio One’s Rick Cluff, promises to be a fun, engaging evening of dinner and lighthearted debate. Held annually since 2008, the Great Debate pits some of the city’s best comic legal debaters in a classic legal - but mostly humorous - debate on substantive legal issues in a fiscal, not fistic, oratorical fight to the finish.

Tony Wilson jabs, “I never met a-ttacks I didn’t like”.

“Listening to Tony Wilson for six minutes is taxing enough much less adding another 12%,” appeals Michael Bain.

“Its the most fun you can have earning one CPD credit”, said Sylvester “Sly” Taxman.

Tickets for the “Ayes” are $129.46 + $15.54 HST for individual tickets or, for a table of eight, $982.14 + $117.86 HST.

Tickets for the “Nays” are $145 per person, or, tables of eight can be purchased for $1,100.

As in other years, this event is sure to sell out. To ensure your reservation, please contact Elizabeth Pinsent at the British Columbia Law Institute for tickets (epinsent@bcli.org or 604-822-0142).

“When it comes to HST, everyone has an opinion. Not us, of course. We are non-partisan,” quips Jim Emmerton, Executive Director of the BCLI.

The British Columbia Law Institute is a not-for-profit law reform agency that works to improve and modernize the law in British Columbia. It was created in January 1997 by incorporation under the Provincial Society Act. BCLI carries out scholarly research, writing and analysis for law reform, collaborating with government and other entities and providing materials and support for outreach and public information. BCLI is the effective successor of the British Columbia Law Reform Commission.

Boughton Law Corporation is a full service Vancouver law firm located in Vancouver. Carrying on business as Boughton, our predecessor law partnership was founded in 1949. Boughton strives to deliver the highest quality legal work and service to its clients; to be accessible, efficient and responsive; to find practical and effective solutions; to communicate clearly; and to conduct ourselves with honesty and integrity. Boughton is an independently owned Vancouver law firm, but is part of an international network of law firms called MERITAS.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Information can also be found on our website at www.greatdebate.ca.

Vancouver, 14 June 2012—The Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL) announces it will host the 2012 Canadian / International Conference in Elder Law to advance elder rights.

Friday, June 15, 2012 (tomorrow) is the first time World Elder Abuse Awareness Day will be commemorated by The United Nations with activities planned by organizations around the globe.  Events highlight the importance of recognizing and responding to elder abuse, help to create a culture of support for vulnerable older people, and raise awareness that abuse of our older population should not be tolerated.

Statistics indicate that as many as 1 in 12 older adults, or approximately a half-million elderly Canadians, are subject to some form of financial, emotional, physical or sexual abuse, often by those closest to them.  Many experts believe that the number is much higher.  “Elder abuse is everywhere,” says leading expert Laura Watts, “and the Canadian Centre for Elder Law is dedicated to dealing with these issues head-on.” 

The CCEL was established in 2003 to advance an understanding of law and aging issues, especially elder abuse.  As part of its commitment to supporting elder abuse prevention and elder rights, the Canadian Centre for Elder Law is pleased to announce today that it will host a major conference on November 16-17^th in Vancouver, BC on these issues.  With the theme of “Advocacy and Aging: From Storytelling to Systemic Change,” this event brings together international experts to explore how to advance elder rights.  Information on this conference can be found here.  All are welcome to attend.

“Talking about elder abuse is a crucial part of the solution,” says Krista James, National Director of the Canadian Centre for Elder Law. “Abuse is wrong, and we want older people, their friends, family and communities to know that we are listening.  By hosting this conference we are offering support to folks from various disciplines who are working together on the common cause of elder rights”.  The conference, now in its 6^th year, is a critical opportunity to drive positive change in Canada and around the globe. 

Canada has one of the most progressive networks of lawyers, advocates, health care professionals, social workers and scholars working to advance the rights of older people.  However, much more needs to be done to bring awareness and assistance to older people experiencing elder abuse.  “We need consistent dedicated supports and investment in research, education and services to address this critical issue,” says James. “And we need opportunities to come together to explore ideas and solutions.”

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an important step in bringing attention to the needs of our aging population.

Contact:

In Vancouver, leading elder abuse expert Krista James, LLB, National Director of the Canadian Centre for Elder Law, (Vancouver office), is available at 604-822-0142 or kjames@bcli.org. 

In Ontario, leading elder abuse expert Laura Watts, LLB, Senior Fellow, Canadian Centre for Elder Law Toronto office, is available at 647-969-6793 or lwatts@bcli.org.

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The Wills Clinic Project operated by Access Pro Bono and staffed by federal Department of Justice lawyers is now underway in Vancouver.

Department of Justice lawyers and articling students are volunteering in the one-year pro bono pilot to draft and execute simple Wills for low-income seniors (55+) and people with terminal illnesses. Clinics are held each Wednesday at the Vancouver Justice Access Centre (290 – 800 Hornby Street, Robson Square) from 11:30am to 1:30pm.

Clients can book clinic appointments by calling the Wills Project line at 604-424-9600 or the regular APB client line at 604-878-7400.