Official Press Release

The BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support (BC CEAS) is pleased to announce the opening of our new Elder Law Clinic. This Clinic will provide legal services to adults over age 55 that would not otherwise be able to access justice due to low income, mobility difficulties or other issues. The Elder Law Clinic will be the first of its kind in Western Canada, and only the second legal aid clinic for older adults in all of Canada. The Elder Law Clinic is made possible by funding from the Law Foundation of BC.

The clinic will offer free legal advice to seniors on a range of legal topics. Its highest priority will be providing legal services to older adults who have been abused; however, the Elder Law Clinic will also provide assistance to adults on other issues such as access to housing, access to benefits and financial abuse.

The Grand Opening Celebration will be held on September 29, 2008 at the Vancouver Public Library at 350 Georgia Street, and will feature several speakers, including: Bruce Strachan of the Law Foundation of BC, the Ombudsman of the Province of British Columbia, Allan Seckel, QC, Deputy Attorney General and Joan Braun, Executive Director of BC CEAS . Following the speeches, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and walking tours of the Elder Law Clinic, which is located near the library at 411 Dunsmuir Street on the fourth floor.

BC CEAS (formerly BC Coalition to Eliminate Abuse Against Seniors) was founded as a non- profit and charitable organization in 1994. Other services provided by BCCEAS include an information and helpline for seniors and publications and workshops about elder abuse. To make a referral to the new BC CEAS Elder Law Clinic, phone the seniors information and help line at 604-437-1940, or toll free at 1-866-437-1940. For more information about BCCEAS programs, call the BCCEAS business line at 604-688-1927.