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STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS

CCLA actively stands up to power by fighting against rights violations, abuse of police powers, inequality, and discrimination. We stand for freedom, equality, and a better future for all people in Canada.

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Our Work

Our Work Centres Around Our Five Core Areas

We believe in

EQUALITY

Equality – which includes equity, diversity, and inclusion – recognizes that every person is equal in value and worth, and each is deserving of fairness, dignity and rights.

We believe in

FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS

Fundamental Freedoms allow individuals and groups to express themselves, to believe and practice what they choose, and to exercise their right to vote.

We believe in

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

We work to ensure that constitutional rights are respected at every step of the criminal justice system, and that the extraordinary powers conferred to police and criminal courts are used proportionately, fairly, humanely, and only when absolutely necessary.

We believe in

PRIVACY

We bring a principled and rights-focused approach to assessing the impact of new technologies and surveillance, in areas ranging from policing methods to people’s public and private lives.

We Believe In

EDUCATION

CCLA & CCLET provide free workshops, seminars, and in-class sessions in schools, educational institutions, and faculties of education, educating citizens about their rights and freedoms.

What's Happening Right Now

CRIMINAL JUSTICEPRESS RELEASESSocio-Economic Status
January 14, 2025

CCLA Appearing Before Supreme Court to Ensure Substance Users Can Access Emergency Medical Care

TORONTO - Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association made the following statement: The Canadian Civil Liberties Association will appear before the Supreme…
CCLA
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EQUALITYPRESS RELEASESWomen
January 13, 2025

CCLA Announces Victory and Discontinues Abortion Access Challenge in New Brunswick

TORONTO - Harini Sivalingam, Director of the Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association made the following statement: CCLA is pleased to announce that we have discontinued our legal…
CCLA
Love27
EQUALITYPRESS RELEASESRefugees & ImmigrationSocio-Economic Status
December 20, 2024

CCLA and CARL Disappointed in City of Toronto’s Complete Failure to Take Accountability on Refugee Shelter Bed Denial

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) are profoundly disappointed that the City of Toronto has failed to act on the Toronto Ombudsperson…
CCLA
Love27
EQUALITYPolicy 713PRESS RELEASESYouth
December 19, 2024

CCLA Welcomes Changes to Policy 713

TORONTO - Harini Sivalingam, Director of Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association made the following statement in reaction to the Premier of New Brunswick’s announcement to reverse harmful…
CCLA
Love26

Live Updates

View all our latest updates, issues, briefs, and activities.

VIEW ALL LATEST UPDATES

In The News

CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSRight to Reasonable Bail
January 30, 2024

CTV News: More than 80% of inmates in Ontario jails last year were legally innocent, awaiting trial: data

“We at CCLA, like others, we care about public safety,” Rahim said."We just want to think about what we can do within our bail system to have it run effectively.”…
CCLA
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Emergencies ActFreedom of AssociationFreedom of ExpressionIN THE NEWS
January 23, 2024

CBC News: Ottawa’s use of Emergencies Act against convoy protests was unreasonable, violated Charter, court rules

Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, executive director of the CCLA, said their win sets a clear and critical precedent for future governments. "Emergency is not in the eye of the beholder. Emergency…
CCLA
Love12
EQUALITYIN THE NEWSLGBTQ2S+Youth
October 17, 2023

The Guardian: Canada province uses constitutional override to advance pronoun legislation

“The government of Saskatchewan is threatening to shred a piece of the charter this Tuesday, and in so doing violate the rights, the freedom, the privacy, the equality and the…
CCLA
Love13
CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSReasonable Expectations of PrivacySearch & Seizure
August 11, 2023

CBC: Arctic Bay residents raise concerns after RCMP search mail

Shakir Rahim, a lawyer and director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association's criminal justice program, said it raises "serious concerns." Section 8 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms states…
CCLA
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Other Ways To Help

Calling All Activists - Help Us Protect Your Rights.

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Download our Guides and Toolkits to Know Your Rights

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CCLA does not receive government funding. We rely solely on the support of our donor community.

Together, we can uphold the rights and freedoms of all people living in Canada.

Thank You to Our Partners

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