Advocacy Groups in British Columbia

Note: some of these organizations serve the Lower Mainland only, while others are provincial groups

BC Coalition of People With Disabilities
A provincial, cross-disability advocacy organization. Their mandate is to raise public and political awareness of disability issues. Is an umbrella group for a number of disability rights organizations, including the Advocacy Access Team (see below).

Phone: 604-875-0188
Toll-Free: 1-877-232-7400
TTY: 604-875-8835;
Fax: 604-875-9227

Advocacy Access Team - Provides group and individual advocacy as well as information and referral. It assists people with disabilities in applying for benefits and works with clients regarding appeals, tribunals, and other disability-related issues.

Phone: 604-872-1278
Toll-Free: 1-800-663-1278
Fax: 604-875-9227

BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS)
A provincial body that advocates for education, funding, employment, and rights of Aboriginal persons with disabilities. BCANDS works to establish partnerships with government or appropriate agencies that support the agencies objectives and makes representations to government on matters affecting Aboriginal people with disabilities. Have a dedicated I&R and advocacy staff member. Vancouver Island.

Phone: 250-384-3144
Toll-Free Advocacy Line: 1-888-381-7303
Fax: 250-380-1903

BC Association for Community Living
The BC Association for Community Living is a federation that advocates for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities and their families to ensure justice, rights and opportunities in all areas of their lives. Employs a self-advocacy counsellor and offers education and training for self-advocates and self-advocacy groups. Works with different levels of government to promote disability rights and to improve policies on disability related issues. There are chapters in many municipalities throughout the province.

Phone: 604-875-1119
Fax: 604-875-6744

BC Public Interest Advocacy Centre (BC PiAC)
A non-profit, public interest law office that provides representation to those groups that would otherwise not have access to resources to assert their interests. Funded by the Law Foundation of BC. Take on cases that represent entire groups or segments of society and that challenge unexplored areas of the law.

Phone: 604-687-3063
Fax: 604-682-7986;

Bureau of Pensions Advocates
The Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA) assists veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces, members and ex-members of the RCMP, and their dependents, in the preparation and presentation of reviews and appeals of first decisions on claims for disabilities which were incurred during wartime (on or off-duty) or during peacetime on-duty service. Offices are located across Canada and are staffed with skilled lawyers called Pensions Advocates who dispense free legal advice, representation and services.

Phone: 604-666-0937
National Toll-Free: 1-877-228-2250
Fax: 604-666-8434

The Centre - Education and Outreach Services
Aims to increase the availability of culturally sensitive care, by educating service providers about the health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people. This is a Vancouver organization, but it is an excellent resource for those interested in information on LGBT rights and issues. Provides education, outreach, support and advocacy to individuals and groups.

Phone: 604-684-5307
Fax 604-684-5309

DAWN Disabled Women’s Network
DAWN Canada’s mission is to end the poverty, isolation, discrimination and violence experienced by women with disabilities. Open to any woman who considers herself to have a disability, particularly mothers. Are involved in work with women’s rights groups on the issues that affect all women, as a way for disabled women to become active in the women’s rights movement.

Provincial office (Nanaimo): Phone 250-754-4513

End Legislated Poverty
End Legislated Poverty (ELP) is a coalition of 40 British Columbia groups, including anti-poverty groups, welfare advocates, unions and churches, working together to force governments to reduce and end poverty. Provides referral, public education and forums on poverty-related topics. Does not provide direct advocacy to the public. Produces The Long Haul newsletter.

Phone: 604-879-1209
Toll Free: 1-866-879-1209
Fax: 604-879-1229


Helping Hands Against Poverty
Provides advocacy, information and referral for low-income assistance recipients in the Fraser Valley. Specializes in child welfare situations (including apprehensions) and landlord/tenant issues involving the Residential Tenancy Branch. Also assists applicants who are having difficulty benefits from provincial and or federal governments. Provides appellant nominee service for Tribunals and Appeal Board Hearings from the GVRD to Hope.

Phone: 604-824-1989
Fax: 604-824-1902

Newton Advocacy Group Society
The Newton Advocacy Group Society (NAGS) is a non-profit, charitable society committed to the empowerment of individuals and families through education, advocacy and the creation of supportive, community based networks. Some services include: provision of welfare and mental health advocacy, empowerment courses for women who have experienced violence, empowerment groups for single parents, and pro bono income tax and legal information clinics.

Phone: 604-596-2311
Fax: 604-596-2319

PovNet
PovNet is a web-based service for advocates, people on welfare, and community groups and individuals involved in anti-poverty work. It provides up-to-date information about welfare and housing laws and resources in British Columbia and Canada. PovNet links to current anti-poverty issues and also provides links to other anti-poverty organizations, advocates, and resources in Canada and internationally.

Phone (604) 876-8638
Fax (604) 685-7611

Fraser Valley Self Advocate Network
Among other advocacy work, this group operates the Self Advocacy Net website as a means of connecting persons with intellectual disabilities across the region.

Phone: 604-688-7001
Fax: 604-688-7069

St.Paul’s Anglican Church of the West End ­ Vancouver.
The advocacy service of St. Paul’s offers advocacy to anyone in need. This free service offers help with welfare, accessing food, housing, legal issues, immigration, and access to government services. Help is offered to anyone, regardless of geographical location or religious background. The advocacy office at 1130 Jervis is open MWTh from 10-2:30.

Phone: 604-683-4287
Fax: 604-683-3109

Welfare advocacy for people with disabilities
This is a website that has a large list of agencies providing support and advocacy across the province. Organized by region. Some are listed above. Services focusing on mental health are bolded, the rest are for general legal and poverty concerns. Good site to collect the names of organizations that do not have websites or that are difficult to find on the internet.