December 2, 2025
VACFSS disappointed that Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear appeal of BC Court of Appeal decision and BC Human Rights Tribunal ruling on child protection issues; VACFSS will continue to give primacy to child safety and well-being in child protection
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh) / Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS) is disappointed that the Supreme Court of Canada has declined to hear an appeal of a BC Human Rights Tribunal ruling that went to the Supreme Court of BC and then the BC Court of Appeal.
As is its usual practice, the Supreme Court of Canada gave no reasons for declining to hear the case.
VACFSS wishes to emphasize once again that its intent was to seek clarity from the Supreme Court on key issues in child safety and child protection that would provide guidance to all agencies involved in this challenging but important work.
While a ruling from Canada’s top court would have helped clarify these issues, VACFSS will continue to exercise its delegated authority from the Province to ensure that children are safe, while prioritizing the least intrusive measures to achieve their safety. For that reason, VACFSS will continue to use restorative processes, including family group conferences, mediation, Rule 2 conferencing and engagement with Nation Members in Family Service Planning.
Lastly, VACFSS continues to regret that solutions could not be found outside the Tribunal and court processes. It recognizes both RR’s pain and the challenges her children faced due to the circumstances and history that led to VACFSS’ protective measures, which the Tribunal concluded were undertaken by VACFSS in good faith.
VACFSS was incorporated by the Indigenous Urban leadership and continues to receive support from the Community, First Nations and Indigenous Child Welfare agencies it liaises with to provide child safety and family support services under its legislative mandate to serve the best interests of children.
Statement issued by:
- Bernadette Spence, Chief Executive Officer
- Linda Stiller, Chair, Board of Directors
