Pivot Law

We are Pivot Legal Society, a human rights organization committed to using the law to challenge and reform the systems that perpetuate poverty, homelessness, and social exclusion. Since our inception in 2001, we have been working in partnership with communities directly affected by these issues to identify their priorities and develop effective solutions to complex human rights challenges. Our work is centered in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and we are deeply grateful to the Indigenous Peoples for their enduring relationship with these lands. We strive to work in solidarity as accomplices in the vital process of shifting the colonial default that has caused so much harm.

Our approach is what we call 'pivotal.' We focus on the most tangible and pressing violations of human rights to exert maximum pressure and drive society towards greater equality and inclusivity. We believe that poverty and social exclusion are not inevitable outcomes but are the result of unjust laws and policies. That's why we combine strategic, high-impact litigation with powerful public education and advocacy campaigns. This integrated approach allows us to challenge discriminatory legislation, shift public attitudes, and create lasting, meaningful change that resonates across Canada. We work in several key areas, including defending the rights of sex workers, advocating for humane drug policies, fighting for housing rights and against homelessness, and holding policing and carceral systems accountable. Through deep collaboration with marginalized people and grassroots movements, we have become a unique and vital force for human rights in Canada, working to ensure that the law serves to protect and empower everyone, not just a privileged few.