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westcoastleaf.bsky.social
West Coast LEAF
@westcoastleaf.bsky.social
210 followers 190 following 130 posts
We're a not-for-profit in BC striving to end gender discrimination through equality rights litigation, law reform, and public legal education. Check out our work: www.westcoastleaf.org
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westcoastleaf.bsky.social
“Families in poverty often face stigma and punitive practices in places that are meant to help.” Read our op ed with @PovReductionBC on how the current systems keep people from accessing the support they need: westcoastleaf.org/2025-media-coverage
Purple text on a white square with an image of two pairs of feet standing on a dirt path, one parent and one child: The Mainlander Op Ed. Economic Justice for Families in the Work to Eradicate Poverty. By Rowan Burdge, BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and Sharnelle Jenkins-Thompson, West Coast LEAF. westcoastleaf.org/2025-media-coverage link. West Coast LEAF and BCPRC logos.
November 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
All parents deserve procedural fairness and access to justice when interacting with the family policing system. Read our open letter voicing serious concerns about disclosure practices in child and family service proceedings at westcoastleaf.org/disclosure-letters
White and yellow text on a purple background: All parents deserve procedural fairness and access to justice when interacting with the family policing system. Read our open letter signed by legal organizations and lawyers from across BC voicing serious concerns about disclosure practices in child and family service proceedings at westcoastleaf.org/disclosure-letters. West Coast LEAF logo. There is an image of a parent holding their child’s hand and walking in a park during autumn.
November 12, 2025 at 11:01 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Do YOU want to help advocate for human rights this Transgender Awareness Week? Join us online Nov. 25 for a brainstorming session on the next steps in challenging the changes to the Name Act! Help repeal this harmful law and RSVP today: westcoastleaf.org/snack-and-act
Yellow, orange, and teal text on a white background: Challenging the Name Act: Snack & Act! Online November 25 at 12PM PT. Take action this Transgender Awareness Week! Join us for a brainstorm about the next steps to repeal the discriminatory changes to the Name Act! Register today! An image of a laptop with a hand holding a megaphone coming out of the screen. Logos: West Coast LEAF, QMUNITY, SAGAH, Living in Community, TransConnect, PACE, and the Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre.
November 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Today is BC Non-Profit Recognition Day, a day to acknowledge our sector’s vital role in supporting our communities & the impact of your contributions which make this work possible. Now more than ever, we need your help to make transformative change: westcoastleaf.org/take-action
Text: Today is BC Non-Profit Recognition Day. More than ever, we need your help to make positive, transformative change! Find out how you can support our work at westcoastleaf.org/take-action. West Coast LEAF logo. A photograph of two people hugging while holding signs at Vancouver’s 2025 Trans March.
October 30, 2025 at 10:56 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
BC and Canada’s colonial systems are built on economic injustice, and the pay and income gap is a symptom of that injustice. Our four-part series exploring economic injustices uses the metaphor of the tree to better understand this complex issue. Learn more at westcoastleaf.org/pay-gap.
Purple text on a cream background: The Income and Pay Gap. Learn more about this series at westcoastleaf.org/pay-gap. West Coast LEAF logo. There is an image of a tree with branches and roots with text: Leaves: Stem Environment. The impacts on people’s day-to-day lives – wages, housing, food security, health, and well-being. How does the pay gap affect daily life? How does the pay and income gap show up in our communities? Where do we see the impacts most clearly? Trunk: Core Environment. Laws, policies, and systems that uphold inequities, from weak employment standards to immigration policies. How do institutions reinforce the gap? Which policies make the pay gap worse? Roots: Foundation Environment. Systemic drivers of inequity shaped by historical foundations and current ideologies including, colonialism, racism, patriarchy, and ableism. Where does the pay gap come from? What are the roots of inequality? Which forces drive economic injustice?
October 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Alongside other gender equity orgs, we’ve been calling on the province to repeal discriminatory and harmful changes to the Name Act. Now, we’ve created a toolkit for you to connect directly with your MLA and make your voice heard: tinyurl.com/mvszf42n
Orange and teal text on a white background: Name Change Ban MLA Toolkit. The toolkit contains: Instructions on how to set up a meeting with your MLA, talking points for when you’re there, and responses to common questions about the Name Change ban. To learn more about the Name Change ban, check out westcoastleaf.org/name-act. Logos: West Coast LEAF, QMUNITY, SAGAH, Living in Community, TransConnect, PACE, and the Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre.
October 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
A huge thank you to everyone who attended our AGM last week! It was heartwarming to be surrounded by new friendly faces and longtime supporters 😄 We're feeling so lucky to be in community with you all!
Purple text on a yellow and white background: West Coast LEAF Annual General Meeting Recap. Thank you so much to everyone who attended our 2025 AGM! There are four photos of the AGM, including attendees listening to our panel discussion on economic justice, Manager of Public Legal Education Alana Prochuk tabling our resources, and panelist Véronique Sioufi with staff lawyer Humera Jabir.
October 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Today, we're excited to launch a new series that offers tools to deepen your understanding of the income and pay gap and to support advocacy for economic justice in BC! Explore the four-part series on the income and pay gap: westcoastleaf.org/pay-gap
Purple text on a cream background: The Income and Pay Gap. Learn more about this series at westcoastleaf.org/pay-gap. West Coast LEAF logo. There are images of signs calling for “$10 a Day Childcare”, “Status for All”, “Raise the Rates”, “Equal Pay”, and “Living Wage for All”. There are also images of various workers, families, caregivers, and items such as a baby bottle, puzzle, books, a bus, and plants.
October 21, 2025 at 7:07 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Please join us in welcoming Interim Executive Director Shannon Daub to the West Coast LEAF team! Shannon brings a strong background in social justice policy work, and we're incredibly fortunate to have her leadership. Welcome, Shannon!
Purple text on a white background with a teal, pink, purple, and yellow geometric pattern: Please join us in welcoming Interim Executive Director Shannon Daub! West Coast LEAF logo.
October 15, 2025 at 10:32 PM
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⏰ Today is the final day to register for our upcoming AGM on October 16! All are welcome to attend this free event, where you'll get to discover more about West Coast LEAF, learn about our brand new economic justice fact sheets, AND hear an amazing panel discussion: westcoastleaf.org/AGM-2025/
A photograph of a meeting room with people sitting with their backs to the camera, raising voting cards in the air. The image has a teal gradient filter. White texts reads, “West Coast LEAF logo. Annual General Meeting, 5-7pm, October 16, 2025. Reminder: Today is the final day to register for our upcoming AGM! RSVP at westcoastleaf.org/AGM-2025
October 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Are you an experienced, values-driven leader with a passion for equity and social justice? Applications are now open for West Coast LEAF's Director of Strategic Operations position. Apply by November 7 to join our team: westcoastleaf.org/job/director-of-strategic-operations/
West Coast LEAF logo. Purple text on a pink and yellow gradient background: We're hiring! Director of Strategic Operations. Are you an experienced, values-driven leader with a passion for equity and social justice? Apply by November 7, 2025 to join our team!
October 10, 2025 at 5:21 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Need another reason to RSVP for our upcoming AGM? Look no further than our incredible panelists! Register before October 13 to learn how you can deepen your understanding of the pay and income gap and support advocacy for economic justice: westcoastleaf.org/AGM-2025
A photograph of a meeting room with people sitting with their backs to the camera, raising voting cards in the air. The image has a teal gradient filter. White texts reads, “Annual General Meeting, 5-7pm, October 16, 2025. Join us for an exciting panel discussion on pay and income inequities, plus the launch of our economic justice factsheets! Meet our panelists: Véronique Sioufi, Racial Equity Researcher and Policy Analyst with BC Policy Solutions, and Gabrielle Peters, Writer and Researcher and Co-founder of Disability Filibuster. RSVP by October 13 at westcoastleaf.org/AGM-2025."
October 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
3 years ago, alongside a circle of cherished Indigenous Advisors, we began enacting Changing Tides: An Action Plan to Dismantle White Supremacy, Settler Supremacy, and Anti-Indigenous Racism at West Coast LEAF. Today, we’re sharing the report back on our journey: westcoastleaf.org/changing-tides/
White text on a photograph of a misty wooded ocean shoreline: Read our report back on Changing Tides: An Action Plan to Dismantle White Supremacy, Settler Supremacy, and Anti-Indigenous Racism at West Coast LEAF (2022-2025). West Coast LEAF logo top left corner.
October 2, 2025 at 9:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
☎️ ⚡☎️ ⚡ On October 8, help flood the Attorney General’s phone lines to demand a repeal of the name change ban! Use your voice to stand for basic human rights and let them know that everyone deserves a name. 🔗 RSVP at westcoastleaf.org/phone-zap
An image of a phone with colorful lines and "Zap!". Repeal the Name Change ban: Phone zap action! Wednesday, October 8, 6PM online. Help flood the Attorney General’s phone lines to demand a repeal of the name change ban! RSVP at www.westcoastleaf.org/phone-zap/. Logos: West Coast LEAF, QMUNITY, SAGAH, Living in Community, TransConnect, PACE, and the Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre.
September 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Across BC, there are widespread barriers to accessing safe shelters, which violates human rights and causes immense harm. Join West Coast LEAF and the Society for Narcotic and Opioid Wellness to take action and envision a safer future for all: westcoastleaf.org/sheltersurvey
Want to help advocate for safer shelters? Read the full report at www.westcoastleaf.org/sheltersurvey. Along the bottom are the logos of SNOW, West Coast LEAF, and Cassyex Consulting. There are two graphics: one with text on a white background with a blue swirl of snow: In the North we have very extreme winters. People have had to wait for a shelter bed to open up - possibly 3 to 4 days. They were on their own to find help. There is an image of a thermometer showing minus twenty degrees Celsius, and another graphic of a parent and child sitting outside of a door with a sign that says “Closed cut off 6:00pm”. They have sad expressions and are sitting beside backpacks. The text reads: Research shows: in Fort St John and Dawson Creek: Among women and people of marginalized genders: Just 9% felt there are enough spaces for people leaving violent situations.
September 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
You’re invited to our AGM on October 16! Members AND non-members are welcome to attend this free event at Creekside Community Centre for an evening of chats, facts & snacks, featuring a panel discussion & the launch of our factsheets on economic justice! Register today: westcoastleaf.org/AGM-2025
A photo of a meeting room with people sitting with their backs to the camera, raising voting cards in the air. The image has a teal gradient filter. White texts reads, “Annual General Meeting, 5-7pm, October 16, 2025. Multipurpose Room 4, 1 Athletes Way, Creekside Community Centre, Vancouver, BC, Unceded Coast Salish Homelands. Register today at westcoastleaf.org/AGM-2025." The West Coast LEAF logo in white is in the top left corner.
September 16, 2025 at 5:55 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Do you love advancing gender justice AND limited edition feminist art?? Join West Coast LEAF as a member (or renew your existing membership) by Sept 16 and you'll be entered into a draw for one of our last screen prints! Donate any amount to become a member: www.westcoastleaf.org/become-a-member
White text on a blue and purple gradient background: Giveaway! Become a member before September 16 and you'll be entered into a draw to win a limited edition screen printed poster. West Coast LEAF logo. There is an image of a hand holding a white poster with a black print of flowers and the words "smash the patriarchy".
September 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Become a West Coast LEAF member today and join a community of gender justice advocates fighting for just society! Support our work for transformative social change, vote at our upcoming AGM, and much more. Donate any amount to become a member: www.westcoastleaf.org/become-a-member/
White text over a gradient colored image of several people combining hands: Become a West Coast LEAF member today! Join our community of gender justice advocates. Support our work for transformative social change. Vote at our upcoming Annual General Meeting. www.westcoastleaf.org/become-a-member
September 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
This Pride, join us in calling for the province to repeal the 2024 changes to the Name Act, a harmful ban that violates the human rights of the queer, trans, Indigenous, sex work, and survivor communities: westcoastleaf.org/name-act
Teal and orange text on a white background with a retro line pattern: Everyone deserves a name! In 2024, the BC government passed a bill to change the Name Act that bans access to legal name changes for people with certain criminal records.The changes make the application process slower, more costly, and more intrusive for everyone. They also violate the human rights of trans people seeking name changes, Indigenous people seeking to reclaim Indigenous names, and survivors of violence needing name changes to protect themselves.Join us to call on the province to repeal the changes to the Name Act and improve access to identity documents! Sign our petition at westcoastleaf.org/name-act. Logos: West Coast LEAF, QMUNITY, SAGAH, Living in Community, TransConnect, PACE, and the Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre.
August 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
The federal government is planning to cut 80% from the Department of Women and Gender Equality. These devastating cuts would harm women’s health, safety, and economic security. Tell your reps: reverse the cuts & recommit to gender equality: rb.gy/a5tei1 #DemandBetterToday
Black and pink text on a yellow background: The Federal Government is defunding Women's Rights Organizations and gender equality. Demand better. Take action.
July 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
On June 26, Melanie Lecoy, with support from Keeping Families Together and West Coast LEAF, hosted the first ever Stolen Children Vigil to honor children stolen by the family policing, adoption, incarceration, and immigration systems. Deep thanks to our speakers and attendees!
White and black text on a pink gradient background: Recap: Stolen Children Vigil. A huge thank you to all the incredible speakers and everyone who attended! Pictures: event organizer and host Melanie Lecoy, candles to honor children stolen by the family policing, adoption, incarceration, and immigration systems, and Lorelei Williams, speaker and founder of Butterflies in Spirit. Monochrome graphic of candles at the bottom. Keeping Families Together and West Coast LEAF logos at the top.
July 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Earlier this week, we sent a letter to the Chief Coroner of BC, joining BWSS in calling for an inquest into the femicide of Bailey McCourt and urging them to establish a standing Gender-Based Violence Death Review Committee. Read the full letter: westcoastleaf.org/work/letter-to-coroner-on-ipv/
Purple text on a colorful background in an email template: To: Chief Coroner’s Office. Subject: Inquest into IPV. West Coast LEAF joins Battered Women’s Support Services in calling for the Chief Coroner to begin an inquest into a recent Intimate Partner Violence-related femicide. We are also recommending the creation of a Gender-Based Violence Death Review Committee that will develop robust, whole-of-government and evidence-based approaches to combatting IPV and GBV. Read our full letter at westcoastleaf.org/work/letter-to-coroner-on-ipv. West Coast LEAF logo.
July 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Two weeks left to apply for West Coast LEAF's Interim Executive Director position! Apply now to join our team of gender justice advocates: westcoastleaf.org/job/interim-executive-director-1-year/
Green and white text on a purple background: We're hiring! Interim Executive Director (1 year). Check out the full job posting at https://westcoastleaf.org/job/interim-executive-director-1-year/. Apply by July 23, 2025. West Coast LEAF logo.
July 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
We're turning forty! We've been advocating for gender justice since 1985, and while a lot has changed during that time, our dedication to advancing gender justice has not. Join us in pushing for bold, transformative change for the next 40 years! Become a monthly donor today: westcoastleaf.org/donate
White text on a teal, purple, pink and yellow gradient background: 1985 - 2025. 40 years of West Coast LEAF.
July 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
westcoastleaf.bsky.social
Are you an experienced leader with a deep commitment to intersectional gender justice? Applications are now open for West Coast LEAF's Interim Executive Director position. Apply by July 23 to join our team: westcoastleaf.org/job/interim-...
Green and white text on a purple background: We're hiring! Interim Executive Director (1 year). Check out the full job posting at https://westcoastleaf.org/job/interim-executive-director-1-year/. Apply by July 23, 2025. West Coast LEAF logo.
June 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM