May 8, 2025
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh) / Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society has received the decision of the BC Court of Appeal Thursday regarding a previous BC Supreme Court judicial review of a BC Human Rights Tribunal finding.
The BC Court of Appeal overturned the 2024 BC Supreme Court decision which had reversed parts of the Tribunal’s findings.
VACFSS is consulting with its legal counsel and reviewing the BC Court of Appeal decision and will release to the complainant a 2022 Tribunal award of $150,000 that has been held in trust pending the results of that decision.
VACFSS says the case is not about the complainant but about the provincial legislation that governs child protection and determines how all child and family services agencies manage child custody and access issues.
VACFSS once again regrets that solutions could not be found outside the Tribunal process.
VACFSS was incorporated in 1992 and continues to receive support from the Community, First Nations and Indigenous Child Welfare agencies to provide child safety and family support services under its legislative mandate in the best interests of the child.
Statement issued by:
Bernadette Spence Linda Stiller
Executive Director Chair, Board of Directors
For more information: Bill Tieleman, West Star Communications, at cell 778-896-0964; office 604-844-7827; or email weststar@telus.net