Pivot combines strategic litigation with high-impact public education and advocacy campaigns to achieve widespread social change in laws, policies, and practices to affirm human rights and inclusion.
Pivot is not a legal clinic or legal aid organization. We don't provide drop-in services or legal advice over the phone or by email. When you contact us for legal support or representation, we will try our best to refer you to an appropriate legal service.
If you need legal information, advocacy, or representation for a legal issue, we have compiled a list of the most commonly sought out services in BC below.
What do you need help with?
- General Help Lines
- Peer-Led Advocacy Organizations
- Tenancy & Housing
- Police Complaints
- Criminal
- Employment
- Human Rights
- Immigration
- Seniors
General Help Lines
Resource referrals for any legal issue
BC211
By phone | Multi-lingual
This is a 24/7phone line that provides free, confidential information and referrals to community resources including advocacy and legal help, and housing search assistance. Multi-lingual telephone assistance is available.
For the 24-hour phone line, dial 211
Phone: 604-875-6381, 604-875-0885
Text: 604-836-6381
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.bc211.ca
BC Human Rights Tribunal
By phone | Multi-lingual
Free: No direct support, no legal advice. Referrals provided only.
Phone: 604-775-2000
Toll free in B.C.: 1-888-440-8844
Website: https://www.bchrt.bc.ca/whocanhelp/
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP)
By phone | Online Application | Multi-Lingual
Free: Medical/dental services, Prescription drug expenses, Counselling, Protective measures, Replacement of damaged/destroyed glasses, clothing and disability aids, Childcare/homemaker services, Disability aids, Support for child born of a crime, Vocational services, Income support, Transportation expenses, Crime scene cleaning.
Phone: Toll-free - 1 866 660-3888
Website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/if-you-are-a-victim-of-a-crime/victim-of-crime/cvap-forms
Peer-Led Advocacy Organizations
BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors
Email | Facebook
BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors is committed to increasing the capacity of people who use drugs to live healthy productive lives.
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.facebook.com/BCYADWS/
Coalition of Peers Dismantling the Drug War (CPDDW)
Email
“We believe that the current rate of overdose death is solely caused by the ramifications of the regime of prohibition and the ongoing war on the poor. We are tired of people being stigmatized for using drugs and we have set out to destroy the idea that drug use is wrong, bad, or criminal.”
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.cpddw.ca/the-project
Defund 604 Network
Virtual & In Person Meetings | Email | Facebook
Working to defund the police and investigate public safety to chart a path towards a future without the violence of policing | Monthly meetings
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website: https://www.facebook.com/defund604network/
Drug User Liberation Front (DULF)
Email
Runs episodic compassion clubs/one-off distribution events of tested Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine with the goal of demonstrating that a regulated drug supply can save lives and reduce the risk of overdose deaths in communities.
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.dulf.ca/doa
Megaphone Magazine - Speakers' Bureau
Email | Phone
Megaphone’s Speakers Bureau is a public awareness program connecting audiences with speakers who have lived experience of drug use and overdose prevention.
Phone: 604-255-9701
Address: 312 Main St. Vancouver, BC
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://speakersbureau.megaphonemagazine.com/about
Police Oversight With Evidence and Research (P.O.W.E.R)
Drop-in Only
P.O.W.E.R. hosts weekly Wednesday and Friday drop-ins from 11am–1pm where members of the community are invited to share accounts of their interactions with law enforcement.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.policeoversight.ca
Our Homes Can't Wait
In Person Meetings Weekly
Collective of people living and working in the Downtown Eastside working to save Single-Resident Occupancy housing and to build more social housing.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ourhomescantwait/
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU)
In Person Meetings
VANDU is a group of users and former users who work to improve the lives of people who use drugs through user-based peer support and education. Groups: EIDGE: Eastside Illicit Drinkers for Education | Education and Action Group | BCAPOM: BC Association of People on Methadone | WAHRS: Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society | SNAP: Salome/Naomi Association of Patients
Phone: 604-683-6061
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://vandu.org/
Tenancy & Housing
Access Pro Bono
Online Lawyer Referral Service
Not Free | No Drop-ins
30-minute free consultation. Lawyers charge for service after initial free consultation.
Phone: 1-800-663-1919
Website: https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/lawyer-referral-service
Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
No Drop-ins
Assistance reviewing a decision of the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) and other administrative tribunals, foreclosures, and co-op housing membership terminations
Phone: 1-855-685-6222
Intake: https://judicialreviewbc.ca/askaquestion
Website: https://clasbc.net/get-legal-help/losing-your-housing/
First United Church Advocacy
Drop-in available
Legal advocacy for issues with tenancy and social assistance.
Phone: 604-251-3323
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://firstunited.ca/how-we-help/legal-advocacy
Address: 542 East Hastings Street
St. Paul's Advocacy
Appointments only
Advocacy & information on landlord-tenant disputes, accommodation needs, health & disability issues, & access to social benefits & other government services
Phone: 604-683-4287
Address: 1130 Jervis Street, Vancouver
Hours: Mon, Weds, Thurs 10am-2pm
Website: https://www.stpaulsanglican.bc.ca/pages/advocacy-office
Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC)
No Drop-ins
Representation via the Housing Law Clinic and Residential Tenant Branch Dispute Resolution.
Tenant Info-line: 1-800-665-1185
Eligibility for representation: 604-255-3099 ext. 230
Website: https://tenants.bc.ca/get-help/legal-representation/
UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program
No Drop-ins
Services for low-income people regarding employment standards, residential tenancy, WCB, CPP and OAP, wills/estates, immigration/refugee cases.
Book an appointment: 604-822-5791
Website: https://www.lslap.bc.ca/services.html
Vancouver Rent Bank
Drop-in Thursdays 10am-1pm
Emergency rent loans.
Website: https://www.niccss.ca/services/vancouver-rent-bank/
Phone: 604-566-9685
Email: [email protected]
Address: RayCam Community Centre, 920 East Hastings Street
YWCA
No Drop-ins
Short-term and transitional housing, support for single moms, employment , women who have experienced intimate partner violence, Indigenous mentorship.
Phone: 604-895-5800
Several locations across Vancouver
Website: https://ywcavan.org/what-we-do/advocate-affordable-housing
Police Complaints
Atira Women’s Resource Society
Legal Advocacy Clinic
Women only | Drop-ins available
Legal advocacy on a variety of issues for low-income women in the Downtown Eastside.
Phone: 604-331-1407 Ext 114
Email: [email protected]
Address: 101 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
Website: https://atira.bc.ca/what-we-do/program/legal-advocacy/
BC First Nations Justice Council
Online
Free Representation for Indigenous people to make complaints against the police in BC.
Website: https://bcfnjc.com/how-to-make-a-complaint/
Freedom of Information (FOI) Request to the Vancouver Police for Personal Records
Free | Online or in-person
Apply for a copy of your own personal arrest records and receive: Arresting officers' personal notes; bodycam footage; photographed evidence.
Website: https://vpd.ca/contact-us/information-privacy/
Indigenous Community Legal Clinic
Drop-in available
Advice and representation for criminal matters, Aboriginal law/Indigenous legal issues, family law matters, child protection, human rights complaints, letters of administration, police complaints
Phone: 1-888-684-7874
Email: [email protected]
Address: 148 Alexander Street, Vancouver
Website: https://allard.ubc.ca/community-clinics/indigenous-community-legal-clinic/information-clients
Police Oversight With Evidence and Research (P.O.W.E.R)
Drop-in Only
P.O.W.E.R. hosts weekly Wednesday and Friday drop-ins from 11am–1pm where members of the community are invited to share accounts of their interactions with law enforcement.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.policeoversight.ca
Rise Women’s Legal Centre
Legal Advocacy Clinic
Women only | Call or online only
Obtain/replace/correct government ID, notarize documents, draft human rights or police complaints.
Phone: 236-317-9000
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://womenslegalcentre.ca/request-an-appointment/
Support workers intake: https://bit.ly/2Xj5QDZ
Potential client intake: http://bit.ly/risecarf
Filing a Police Complaint?
File a complaint about individual police officers by calling or filling out an online complaint application form with the relevant complaints body.
Police Oversight With Evidence and Research (P.O.W.E.R)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.policeoversight.ca
Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner
Phone: 250-356-7458 or 1-877-999-8707
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.opcc.bc.ca
Civilian Review and Complaints Commission
Online complaint form: https://www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca/en/make-complaint-form
Download and fax or mail the complaint form: https://www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca/pdf/complaintplainte-en.pdf
Website: https://www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca
BC Security Programs Division
Complaints form: https://bit.ly/3AYYNQt
Phone: Toll free 1-855-578-0185
Fax: 250-3874454
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://bit.ly/3J5KgWk
Criminal
Access Pro Bono
Online Lawyer Referral Service
Not Free | No Drop-ins
30-minute free consultation. Lawyers charge for service after initial free consultation.
Phone: 1-800-663-1919
Website: https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/lawyer-referral-service
BC First Nations Justice Council - Indigenous Justice Centre (Virtual)
Indigenous Only | Online
Information and referrals. Some representation to Indigenous people who have a criminal or child protection legal issue.
Phone: 1-866-786-0081
Hours: 9am-4pm, Mon-Fri
Website: https://bcfnjc.com/virtual-indigenous-justice-centre/
Indigenous Community Legal Clinic
Drop-in available
Advice and representation for criminal matters, Aboriginal law/Indigenous legal issues, family law matters, child protection, human rights complaints, letters of administration, police complaints.
Phone: 1-888-684-7874
Email: [email protected]
Address: 148 Alexander Street, Vancouver
Website: https://allard.ubc.ca/community-clinics/indigenous-community-legal-clinic/information-clients
Legal Aid BC
Phone only
Services: representation for youth and adults with criminal charges, criminal appeals.
Phone: 604-408-2172
Website: https://legalaid.bc.ca/
Address: 4th floor, 500 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Employment
Access Pro Bono
Employment Standards Program
No Drop-ins
Free legal assistance and representation to low-income employees or former employees contending with employment law issues and/or appearing before BC's Employment Standards Branch.
Phone: 604-482-3195 ext. 1500
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/employment-standards-program
Community Legal Assistance Society
No Drop-ins
Representation and advice accessing government benefits, WCAT, OAS, EI, CPP, employment standards tribunal appeals, sexual harassment in the workplace,
Phone: 604-673-3112
Toll free: 1-855-685-6222
Intake form: https://judicialreviewbc.ca/askaquestion
UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program
No Drop-ins
Services for low-income people regarding employment standards, residential tenancy, WCB, CPP and OAP, wills/estates, immigration/refugee cases
Book an appointment: 604-822-5791
Website: https://www.lslap.bc.ca/services.html
Worker Solidarity Network
Online application
Direct and free one-on-one services for non-unionized workers regarding workplace issues such as employment standards, human rights, and WorkSafe prohibited action.
Request for service: https://workersolidarity.ca/complaint/
Human Rights
Amici Curiae Friendship Society
Virtual meetings available Wednesday & Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm.
Paralegal assistance with drafting BC and Canadian human rights complaints. No legal advice or representation provided.
Phone: 778-522-2839
Email: [email protected]
Web info: https://www.legalformsbc.ca/#/
Atira Women’s Resource Society
Legal Advocacy Clinic
Women only | Drop-ins available
Legal advocacy on a variety of issues for low-income women in the Downtown Eastside.
Phone: 604-331-1407 Ext 114
Email: [email protected]
Address: 101 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
Website: https://atira.bc.ca/what-we-do/program/legal-advocacy/
Battered Women’s Support Services
Crisis Line
Women only | No Drop-ins
Access to a range of services for any woman who has experienced abuse in an intimate relationship, childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual assault; including counselling and support groups, legal advocacy, information and referrals, and volunteer training and opportunities.
Phone: 1-855.687-1868
Email: [email protected]
If you can’t speak safely, text: 604-652-1867
Website: https://www.bwss.org/support/
Legal Advocacy: 604-687-1868 ext. 307
Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
BC Human Rights Clinic
Online | by-phone | Every Monday
30 minutes with a human rights lawyer or legal advocate. Summary advice, or 1-2 hours of legal assistance and/or legal representation.
Info-line: 1-888-685-6222
Intake: 604-685-3425
Email: [email protected]
Book a 30-minute appointment/consultation: https://bchrc.net/services/short-service-clinic/
Website: https://bchrc.net/services/
Disability Alliance BC
No Drop-ins
Disability Law Clinic provides advice. Advocates help to apply for disability benefits, file income taxes, registered disability savings plan
Phone: 1-800-663-1278
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: https://disabilityalliancebc.org/direct-services/
Indigenous Community Legal Clinic
Drop-in available
Advice and representation for criminal matters, Aboriginal law/Indigenous legal issues, family law matters, child protection, human rights complaints, letters of administration, police complaints.
Phone: 1-888-684-7874
Email: [email protected]
Address: 148 Alexander Street, Vancouver
Website: https://allard.ubc.ca/community-clinics/indigenous-community-legal-clinic/information-clients
Ishtar Women’s Resource Society
By appointment only
Services: Transition Housing; Community Based Victim Services; Peace Program for Children; Women’s Counselling Services.
Phone: Various numbers available
Website: https://ishtarsociety.org/
Islamophobia Legal Assistance Hotline
Access Pro Bono
Phone only | Free
The hotline is free, confidential, and available to anyone in British Columbia.
Hotline: 604-343-3828
QMUNITY Legal Clinic
Available to 2SLGBTQIA+
Pro bono legal services for queer, trans & Two Spirit communities. Services can help with tenancy issues, employment law, trans ID services, human rights concerns, and family law.
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://qmunity.ca/legal-clinic/
Rise Women’s Legal Centre
Legal Advocacy Clinic
Women only | Call or online only
Obtain/replace/correct government ID, notarize documents, draft human rights or police complaints.
Phone: 236-317-9000
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://womenslegalcentre.ca/request-an-appointment/
Support workers intake: https://bit.ly/2Xj5QDZ
Potential client intake: http://bit.ly/risecarf
Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre
No drop-ins
24-Hour Crisis & Information Line, Hospital Accompaniment, Criminal Legal System Support; Counselling and Support Groups; Indigenous Support Program; Gender Diverse Support Services
Lower Mainland: 604-255-6344
National Toll-free: 1-877-392-7583
Website: https://www.salalsvsc.ca/
YOUTH Child and Youth Legal Centre operated by Society for Children and Youth of BC
Phone call | Free
For young people or people whose human rights problem arose before they were of the age of majority. We answer questions about human rights problems. Encourage youth to call.
Website: https://scyofbc.org/child-youth-legal-centre/
Toll-free phone: 1-877-462-0037
Email (general inquiries): [email protected]
Email (legal support inquiries): [email protected]
Immigration
Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSBC)
Drop-in available
Language services, women’s support, settlement services, youth, children’s programs, seniors, immigration legal clinic.
Address: Various locations - see website
Website: https://issbc.org/
Immigration and Refugee Legal Clinic
No drop-ins
Free legal advice and representation for low-income people across BC whose immigration/refugee legal issues are not covered or easy to serve in the traditional legal aid system.
Phone: 778-372-6583
Email: [email protected]
Address: 103 - 2610 Victoria Drive
Website: https://www.irlc.ca/
Legal Aid BC
Phone only
Services: immigration appeals, admissibility hearings, refugee applications, humanitarian & compassionate applications.
Phone: 604-408-2172
Address: 500 Burrard Street, 4th floor
Website: https://legalaid.bc.ca/
Rainbow Refugee Society
No Drop-ins | Email for more information
Support refugee claimants in navigating Canada’s refugee determination process.
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1033 Davie Street, Unit 620, Vancouver
Website: https://www.rainbowrefugee.com/
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Settlement Services
Women only | No Drop-ins
Access to a range of services for any woman who has experienced abuse in an intimate relationship, childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual assault; including counselling and support groups, legal advocacy, information and referrals, and volunteer training and opportunities.
Address: Various locations - see website
Website: https://successbc.ca/contact-us/
Settlement Orientation Services
Operated by ISSBC
Drop-ins available
Support refugee claimants in navigating Canada’s refugee determination process. Provide first language pre-settlement and housing services for refugee claimants in BC. Support refugees, refugee claimants and recent immigrants living with HIV.
Phone: 604-684-7498
Website: https://issbc.org/our-programs-and-services/sos-settlement-orientation-services-program/
UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program
No drop-ins
Services for low-income people regarding employment standards, residential tenancy, WCB, CPP and OAP, wills/estates, immigration/refugee cases, ID clinic.
To book an appointment: 604-822-5791
Website: https://www.lslap.bc.ca/services.html
Seniors
Senior Peer Counselling of BC
No drop-ins
Peer counselling services and support services navigation.
Phone: 604-408-2172
Address: Various locations and contact information available - see website.
Website: https://spcbc.ca/directory/
Seniors First BC
No drop-ins
Programs: Seniors Abuse & Information Line; Victim Services; Elder Law Clinic; Advance Planning Clinics; Legal Advocacy Program.
Phone: 604-437-1940
Toll-free: 1-866-437-1940
Address: 1281 W. Georgia St, #502, Vancouver
Website: https://spcbc.ca/directory/
Seniors’ Distress Line
Phone only 24/7
Free and confidential telephone support service for seniors, their caregivers or anyone concerned about a senior. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by highly trained, non-judgmental and caring volunteers.
Phone: 604-872-1234
Website: https://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca/get-support/crisis-lines/