Know Your Rights (Legal Information for Indigenous People)

Government authorities

Think before you speak

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the “Charter”) is part of the Constitution Act, 1982 of Canada. Sections 7 to 14 of the Charter set out rights that protect Canadians when dealing with the justice system. They ensure that individuals who are involved in proceedings are treated fairly, especially those charged with a criminal offence. These sections are where your legal rights come from: right to silence, right to a lawyer, right against unreasonable searches, etc.

What do the RCMP, the MCFD, and ICBC all have in common?
They are all government agencies who investigate situations where there may be fault or liability or safety concerns. They all have jobs to do. However, with each of these agencies you are well advised to know your rights before you speak.

You are always allowed to say,

“I want to speak with a lawyer before I speak with you.”

This is not an admission of guilt or fault, just a way to make sure you are safeguarding your rights. Get legal advice to learn about your rights and responsibilities when you are being confronted by government agencies.

Knowing what each authority does is helpful so you can know why they might be contacting you and how much information you may want to give or when you may want to get legal advice first.

Police encounters

"The RCMP must suspect you of committing a crime, have seen you committing a crime, or you must be driving a vehicle before they can stop you and question you."
– BC First Nations Justice Council, http://www.bcfnjc.com

When responding to a police officer on the street:

• Be polite, note the officer’s badge number or name.
• Ask if you are free to go:
  • If YES – leave
  • If NO – ask if you are under arrest

If you are under arrest:

• Ask WHY: it is your right to know why you are being arrested.
• Ask for a lawyer and then remain silent: you have the right to do both.

REMEMBER
You do not have to answer their questions at any point. You always have the right to silence even if you have to speak to clear something up or be dismissed.

"I want to remain silent. I want to speak to a lawyer."

You do not have to identify yourself to a police officer, unless:

• You are under arrest.
• You are driving – if you do not have your license on you, you can provide your name and date of birth.
• You are issued a ticket.

Police custody and arrests

If you are arrested or detained, you are protected by Section 10 of the Charter.

• You have the right to silence - speak to a lawyer before the police.
• The police must inform you of the reasons for your arrest or detainment.
• You have the right to retain and speak to a lawyer without delay and the police are required to inform you of this right.

Brydges Line at Legal Aid BC

• If you are arrested, or detained and under investigation by the police, call the Brydges Line at Legal Aid BC (24/7) 1-866-458-5500

If you are released on bail or with a Promise to Appear, there may be conditions attached (rules for behaviour):

• Reporting to a bail supervisor
• Not being able to leave town
• Must avoid certain areas or people
• Cannot carry a weapon
• No consumption of alcohol

If you think your conditions are too restrictive (unfair or unrealistic) call your lawyer for help as soon as possible because breaching conditions can mean another criminal charge.

DFO & COS

Government authorities: On land & water

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)

DFO officers conduct regular patrols on land and sea to catch violations of the Fisheries Act. A DFO officer’s job is to ensure that individuals who are fishing are doing so subject to a recreational or a commercial fishing license. Indigenous people have an inherent and Constitutional right to fish.

Conservation Officers "C.O."

C.O.’s enforce multiple federal and provincial statutes related to hunting, gathering (e.g. wood, medicines), trapping and human-wildlife conflict. Indigenous people have established rights to harvest for food, social and ceremonial purposes in their traditional areas.

Further, C.O.’s have legal powers of search and seizure, similar to those of police officers. In certain circumstances, a C.O.’s conduct may violate your civil liberties. If you believe a C.O.’s actions constitute misconduct you can submit a complaint within one year to the Conservation Officer Service.

If you are questioned by DFO or a C.O. for a harvesting activity, indicate that you are exercising your Indigenous right to harvest and present your status card. Although these are government authorities with a job to do, you have rights same as with any police agency.
https://bccla.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/powers-of-conservation-officers.pdf

RCMP complaints

"You deserve to be treated with dignity and respect by all people working within the justice system. Formal complaint processes exist for police, lawyers and judges."
– BC First Nations Justice Council website: http://www.bcfnjc.com

If your rights are violated by the police:
Document the time, place and details of what happened. Document police names or badge numbers. Try to get contact information for witnesses. Take pictures of in juries and upload them, Seek legal advice.

Complaints process - Making a complaint about the police

The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP is an independent agency that reviews complaints made by the public about the on-duty conduct of RCMP members. (Information taken from the BC First Nations Justice Council website: http://www.bcfnjc.com)

Complaints can be filed at their website: http://www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca/en/make-complaint

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) conducts investigations into on- and off- duty police-related incidents of serious harm and death. Serious harm is defined in Part 11 of the Police Act as injury that may result in death, may cause serious disfigurement or may cause substantial loss or impairment of mobility of the body as a whole or of the function of any limb or organ. The IIO will make a determination whether any officer may have committed an offense. The IIO does not have jurisdiction over conduct complaints against a police officer (such as the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission). Anyone who wishes to provide information pertaining to an IIO investigation can call the witness line at 1-855-446- 8477. (Information taken from IIO website https://iiobc.ca)

Justice system complaints

Processes

Making a complaint about a lawyer in BC

If you have concerns about a lawyer, you may file a complaint. The Law Society reviews all complaints they receive. More information about the complaints process and the kind of complaints the Law Society will investigate can be found at their website: http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/complaints-lawyer-discipline-and-public-hearings/complaints-en

Making a complaint about a judge in BC

You can make a formal complaint about a provincial court judge or justice (including a judicial justice, judicial case manager and justice of the peace) if you believe their conduct is improper. Please note that you cannot complain about their decision in a case. Complaints can be mailed, faxed, or filed online through their website: http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/ complaints-and-appeals/complaint-process

Complaints information from the BC First Nations Justice Council website: http://www.bcfnjc.com

A person licensed to practice law in a particular jurisdiction by that jurisdiction's law society. See "barrister and solicitor."

In law, response to an allegation of fact or to a claim. Usually refers to documents that reply to the allegations or claims made by the other party, such as a "Response to Family Claim" or a "Reply."

In family law, an antiquated term used by the old Divorce Act to describe the right to possess a child and make parenting decisions concerning the child's health, welfare and upbringing. Replaced in the new Divorce Act with the term decision-making responsibility." See "access," "decision-making responsibility" and "parenting time."

Real property; a parcel of real property and the buildings upon it. See also "chattel," "ownership" and "possession."

Under the Family Law Act, a term that describes the time a person who is not a guardian of a child, including a parent who is not a guardian, has with that child. Under the Divorce Act, a term that describes the time a person who is not a married spouse has with a child. See "guardian" and "parental responsibilities."

With respect to courts, (1) the authority of the court to hear an action and make orders, (2) the limits of the authority of a particular judicial official, (3) the geographic location of a court, or (4) the territorial limits of a court's authority. With respect to governments, (5) the authority of a government to make legislation as determined by the constitution, or (6) the limits of authority of a particular government agency. See “constitution."

A person with direct, personal knowledge of facts and events relevant to the issues before the court; a person giving oral evidence in court on oath or affirmation as to the truth of the evidence given. See "affirm," "evidence," "oath" and "opinion evidence."

A person appointed by the federal or provincial government to manage and decide court proceedings in an impartial manner, independent of influence by the parties, the government, or agents of the government. The decisions of a judge are binding upon the parties to the proceeding, subject to appeal.

A judge of the superior courts of British Columbia, being the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

A court official appointed by the provincial government with limited decision-making authority and jurisdiction, usually charged with managing court schedules, the terms of release of arrested persons, and other administrative tasks with a discretionary element. See "judge" and "jurisdiction."

In law, (1) a judge's conclusions after hearing argument and considering the evidence presented at a trial or an application, (2) a judgment, or (3) the judge's reasons. A judge's written or oral decision will include the judge's conclusions about the relief or remedies claimed as well as their findings of fact and conclusions of law. A written decision is called the judge’s "reasons for judgment." See "common law," "conclusions of law" and "findings of fact."

(1) In law, a court proceeding; a lawsuit; an action; a cause of action; a claim. (2) A historic decision of the court; case law. See "action," "case law, " "court proceeding," and "precedent."