John Howard Society of BC

10/22/2026

Got a legal question but no idea where to start? You're not alone.

Legal Help BC is a new free website from the Justice Education Society. It covers everyday issues like renting, work, family law, debt and going to court.

You can chat with a trained legal navigator on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or ask its AI assistant anytime. It gives information and referrals, not legal advice.

Link below. Save it, share it. Someone you know may need it.

Get free legal information for BC residents. Ask AI or connect with a trained human legal navigator on topics like family law, renting, employment, and more.

10/21/2026

Should people have to reach a crisis before they can get mental health care?

Most British Columbians say no. In a new survey for the CMHA BC Division, 82% agreed that waiting until someone is in crisis is too late.

And 88% said a stronger system means people can get help in their own community, sooner.

BC votes Saturday, October 24. The full report below may be worth a read before your vote is cast.

Vancouver, BC – (October 14, 2026): New public opinion research commissioned by the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA BC) shows overwhelming support for investing in mental health care to support people before they reach a crisis point. 88% agree a stronger ment...

10/20/2026

Should someone serving a life sentence ever get a second look at their parole date?

On October 19, a BC Supreme Court judge ruled that the Criminal Code rule stopping people convicted of more than one murder from using the faint hope clause is unconstitutional. The judge found it breaches the Charter protection against cruel and unusual punishment.

The faint hope clause lets some people serving life apply after 15 years to shorten their 25 year wait for parole. It is not automatic release. A jury decides, and the Parole Board still has the final say.

The case involves three men convicted of the 2022 murders of Abbotsford couple Arnold and Joanne De Jong, whose family says they are frustrated and disappointed by the delayed sentencing.

What should the justice system consider most in cases like this? Weigh in below.

Federal laws of Canada

10/19/2026

Need to be at Drug Treatment Court in Vancouver? Starting tomorrow, it’s in a new spot.

As of Tuesday, October 20, the Drug Treatment Court sits in courtroom 2 at 211 Gore Street, Vancouver.

Drug Treatment Court is a different path through the justice system for people whose offences are tied to substance use. People in the program take part in intensive treatment and return to court regularly so the judge can follow their progress.

If you or someone you support has a date there, please check the new address before you go. And if you know someone who needs to hear this? Please share.

Effective October 20, 2026 the Drug Treatment Court will relocate to courtroom 2, 211 Gore Street, Vancouver, BC.

10/16/2026

Two elections in eight days. Here’s what you need to know:

• Advance voting for the provincial election opens today and runs to October 21, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can vote at any advance voting place in B.C.

• Saturday, October 17 is local election day for mayors, councils and school trustees. In Vancouver, the ballot also has two public safety plebiscite questions.

• Provincial voting day is Saturday, October 24.

Want to compare what the parties are promising on public safety, housing and more? BC Ballot tracks every party’s platform by issue. Enjoy your Friday reading below, and cast your vote accordingly!

BC election platforms 2026 compared by issue: 1,710 commitments from five parties, each with the party’s own words. Checked October 15, 2026.

10/15/2026

When someone in prison is sent to hospital, what happens when they come back?

That question is at the centre of a coroner’s jury recommendation after the death of Kendal Campeau. Campeau, 31, a member of Yellow Quill First Nation, died at Pacific Institution in Abbotsford in 2021. The West Coast Prison Justice Society says he had been treated in hospital earlier that day and returned to custody.

The jury determined he died of methadone toxicity and ruled the death accidental. It recommends that Correctional Service Canada and Fraser Health set up a written handoff every time someone returns to prison from outside medical care, so staff know what treatment was given and what follow up is needed. Read the full verdict below.

Know someone who works in health care or corrections? Share this with them.

10/14/2026

Tonight at 6:15 PST, B.C.’s party leaders face off in the only televised debate of the campaign. Will the province's criminal justice issues come up?

Bail, court delays and shortages of sheriffs and judges all depend in part on who gets elected to lead the next provincial government. The Canadian Bar Association - BC Branch (CBABC) has sent five parties six questions on these issues. So far, the BC NDP and CentreBC have responded, and CBABC says it will post other answers as they come in.

Read the latest answers below. What stands out for you?

Learn where B.C.’s political parties stand on justice and legal system issues.

10/13/2026

What happens when a jail doesn’t have enough staff? In some jails, the people inside get locked in their cells.

Two men held in a Nova Scotia jail while they waited for trial say those lockdowns unlawfully took away the little freedom they still had. Today, the Supreme Court of Canada is hearing their case.

The question is whether people in custody can go straight to a judge, through a fast court review called habeas corpus, when lockdowns come from staffing or policy decisions. The answer will apply to jails and prisons across Canada, including here in B.C.

What do you think a court should weigh in a case like this?

Please note that in the case of closed files, the “Status” column reflects the status of the parties at the time of the proceedings. For more information about the proceedings and about the dates when the file was open, please consult the docket of the case in question.

10/13/2026

Colin Gabelmann, dedicated public servant and a cherished member of the John Howard community, passed away on October 3rd. He was 82.

Colin was born in London in 1944, and in 1947 he and his mother moved to Canada. At UBC he joined the NDP Club, later raising funds for the party. Soon after he worked for the BC Federation of Labour, where he would earn a reputation as a tireless advocate for the working class.

He caught the politics bug early, winning North Vancouver Seymour for the NDP at just 28, then going on to serve as Government Whip. Losing his seat in 1975, he went back to the Federation of Labour before wining again in 1979 to represent North Island, where he remained MLA until he retired in 1996.

As Attorney General from 1991 to 1995, he introduced BC’s freedom of information law in 1992, and he continued to champion open government after he retired. He finished his time in cabinet as Minister of Government Services and Minister responsible for Sport.

In 2007 he accepted the John Howard Society of North Island’s invitation to join its board. He was the North Island society’s Treasurer and its representative to the John Howard Society of British Columbia. JHSBC Chair Hank Mathias has fond memories of their work and shared commitment to service.

"My first recollection of Colin was when he was Attorney General and the position he took for the Supreme Court’s Delgamuukw decision in 1997, which affirmed that Aboriginal title has not been extinguished and clarified what it means,” Hank recalls. “It was clear that he was a person of moral clarity and understanding, of what justice really means. And these understandings were evident in his work with John Howard North Island and John Howard BC. He provided me much sage advice and support, and he was always reminding us that the work we do is all about community."

Colin’s other community work was both extensive and vital. He served on the Board of Governors at Vancouver Island University and the board of Board Voice, was Treasurer of the Land Conservancy and Chair of the Pacific Racing Association, and kept a keen interest in Indigenous rights throughout his life.

"I am inspired by people who can articulate, define and act on important social issues," he remarked after joining the JHSNI board in 2007. All of us with the John Howard community hope he found that kinship with the people he worked with here, and we are proud to continue serving our communities with his inspiration in mind.

10/08/2026

What if a court case could also connect someone with help for addiction, mental health or housing?

That’s the idea behind an integrated court. Kelowna and Victoria already have one, and Kamloops could be next.

Integrated courts work with people who plead guilty and are dealing with issues like substance use, mental illness or homelessness. Local agencies provide support, and people come back to court regularly so the judge can check on their progress and adjust their sentence.

Would an integrated court make a difference in your community? Let us know in the comments.

Kelowna Integrated Court Kelowna Integrated Court (KIC) was established in 2021 to deal with offenders (called "clients") who are struggling with substance abuse issues, living with mental health issues including brain injuries, and/or experiencing homelessness and engaging in criminal behaviour. Sc...