Staff

General Counsel

Nathalie Des Rosiers has been General Counsel of Canadian Civil Liberties Association since July 1, 2009. She was previously Dean of the Faculty of Law – Civil Law Section of the University of Ottawa from 2004 to 2008 and President of the Law Commission of Canada from 2000 to 2004.

She obtained an LL.B. from Université de Montréal and an LL.M. from Harvard University, and received an honorary doctorate from the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2004. She is a member of the Québec Bar and of the Law Society of Upper Canada. She is Full Professor at University of Ottawa and was a member of the University of Western Ontario’s Faculty of Law. She served as law clerk to Supreme Court of Canada Justice Julien Chouinard and worked in private practice.

She was named one of Canada’s 25 most influential lawyers in 2011 by the Canadian Lawyers Magazine; One of Canada’s 10 Nation Builders in 2010 by the Globe & Mail; she received the Médaille de l’Université Paris X in 2007; the Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada (APEX) Partnership Award in 2004; the Medal of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1999; and the Order of Merit from AJEFO in 2000.

She is the past President of the Canadian Federation of Social Sciences and Humanities, of the Canadian Council of Law Deans, of the Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario (AJEFO), and the Canadian Association of Law Teachers. She was also a member of the Ontario Environmental Appeal Board and a member of the Ontario Law Reform Commission.

For a complete list of publications please visit http://www.droitcivil.uottawa.ca/index.php?option=com_contact&task=view&contact_id=3&Itemid=117&lang=en.

Sample Speeches and presentations :

Anti-Semitism Conference, Nov. 2010: Responsiblity for Freedom

David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights:  An Updated Rationale for Interventions in Public Law Litigation

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Nathalie Des Rosiers est avocate générale de l’Association canadienne des libertés civiles depuis juillet 2009. Auparavant, elle était vice-présidente – gouvernance à l’Université d’Ottawa. Elle a été la doyenne de la Faculté de droit, section de droit civil de l’Université d’Ottawa de 2004 à 2008 et présidente de la Commission du droit du Canada de 2000 à 2004. Elle détient une licence en droit de l’Université de Montréal et une maîtrise en droit de Harvard University. Elle est membre des Barreaux du Haut Canada et du Québec.

Director, Fundamental Freedoms Program

Cara Faith Zwibel joined the Canadian Civil Liberties Association in April 2010.  She is currently Director of the CCLA’s Fundamental Freedoms Program.

Cara graduated from McGill University in 2001 with an Honours degree in Political Science.  She received her LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2004, and articled as a law clerk to the Honourable Justice Ian Binnie at the Supreme Court of Canada in 2004-2005, before being called to the Ontario bar in 2005.  Cara also received her Master of Laws degree from New York University, where she was an Arthur T. Vanderbilt Scholar.  Prior to joining the CCLA, Cara worked as an Associate at a large national law firm, practicing in the areas of public law, health law and commercial litigation.  She has experience representing clients at all levels of court and before administrative tribunals, and has co-authored published articles on the rule of law in the Supreme Court of Canada and on Charter advocacy.  Her work with the CCLA involves providing legal opinions and research, coordinating interventions before the courts, preparing submissions to legislative bodies and assisting with the CCLA and CCLET’s public education work.

email address: czwibel@ccla.org

Director, Public Safety Program

Abby first joined the CCLA in July 2008 as the Law Foundation of Ontario’s Pro-Bono Articling Fellow and stayed on through 2009 and part of 2010 as the Project Director of the Fundamental Freedoms Project. She graduated from the University of Toronto Law School with an Hons JD in 2008, and obtained an LLM from New York University in 2010. She is currently involved in all aspects of CCLA’s advocacy and educational programs, including the litigation, legislative advocacy, policy work, and civil liberties workshops for high school and university students.

Abby has always been very active in the areas of social justice and human rights. Prior to joining the CCLA she worked with numerous local and international non-governmental organizations, including the United Nations High Council for Refugees in Kenya and Human Rights Watch’s Terrorism/Counterterrorism division in New York. During law school, she spent a term representing family, immigration and criminal law clients at Downtown Legal Services, the University of Toronto’s poverty law clinic. She was also a case worker in the law school’s International Human Rights Clinic, where she worked primarily on international human rights and counterterrorism issues, including the Clinic’s intervention before the Supreme Court of Canada in the Khadr case.

Her previous work has also taken her to Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Belize and Peru. Although she loves Toronto, she is concerned about the lack of sun available during Canadian winters, and is therefore constantly on the lookout for inexpensive flights to combat incipient vitamin D deficiencies.

email address: adeshman@ccla.org

Public Safety Program

Graeme Norton joined the Canadian Civil Liberties Association in June 2007 as the Director of CCLA’s Public Safety Project. His work with CCLA involves providing the Association with legal opinions and research, coordinating interventions in court cases, preparing submissions to legislative committees and other public bodies.

Prior to joining CCLA, Graeme articled and practiced law with a Toronto-based labour law firm. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto in 2005, and holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science, both also from U of T.

email address: gnorton@ccla.org

Director, Equality Program

Noa Mendelsohn Aviv joined the Canadian Civil Liberties Association in 2002.  As Director of CCLA’s Equality Program, Noa works on such issues as protections for migrants and refugees; healthcare; LGBTQ rights; race and gender issues; mental health and prisons; and generally the rights of persons who are marginalized or disadvantaged.  Noa has also served as CCLA’s Freedom of Expression Project Director, and dealt extensively with free speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.  In the effort to promote and protect rights and freedoms in Canada, Noa has been involved with numerous CCLA interventions in the courts – including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has made submissions to various governmental, legislative and public bodies.  She has also addressed various groups and has spoken out frequently in the media.  In addition, Noa is an integral member of CCLET’s public education project, engaging students at schools and faculties of education in discussions on the challenges of civil liberties.

Before joining the CCLA, Noa volunteered and worked at the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, and was involved in some leading civil rights cases.  Concurrent with her graduate legal studies, she spent several years as a lawyer in a small firm.  Her practice areas included litigation, labour, commercial, and corporate law.  Noa has also served as Acting Administrative Director of Hebrew University’s Center for Human Rights, and as Field Coordinator for a large research project on eating disorders in women.

Noa earned her law degree (LL.B.) and Masters of Law (LL.M.) from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel, where she focused on equality, civil rights, and certain interdisciplinary studies.  She was called to the Israeli Bar in May 1998.  She received her B.A. (with Distinction) in sociology from York University in Toronto.  In her free time, Noa enjoys reading, hiking in leafy spots, and spending time on beaches with her family.  She is thrilled to have three young children who are already strong and vocal advocates for their rights.
email address: mendelsohnaviv@ccla.org

Director of Education and Administration

Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Education Trust

Having spent her youth involved with social activism, Danielle joined the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Education Trust in 1988. Since that time, in addition to her work as Director of Administration for the national organization, Danielle has developed the CCLET programmes “Teaching Civil Liberties” and “Civil Liberties in the Schools.” Her article, “Cultivating Habits of Democracy: Asking the Hard Questions,” appeared in the Winter 2004-05 edition of Education Canada.

From discussions with young children on “What is fair?” to heated debates with university, education, and law students on such issues as equality rights, freedom of expression and anti-hate laws, Danielle enjoys challenging people to think about the conflicting values we live with in our democratic system.

As well as providing seminars and workshops on civil liberties and fundamental values to school groups and classrooms from grade 2 through university, Danielle has designed and organized conferences for high school students. These conferences have included such speakers as Alan Borovoy, June Callwood, David Cronenberg and Susan Eng.

Since 1996, CCLET’s “Teaching Civil Liberties” programme has been supported by a grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario. Pre-service student teachers at the faculties of education at Brock, Lakehead, Laurentian, Nipissing, OISE/Toronto, Ottawa, Queen’s, Western, Windsor and York universities have participated in workshops and seminars dealing with the controversial issues they are likely to face once they are in the classroom.

Between 1997 and 2001, in addition to her educational and administrative duties, Danielle represented the Canadian Civil Liberties Association on the Toronto Police Services Board sub-committee on Race Relations.

email address: education@ccla.org

Sukanya Pillay

Director, National Security Program

Sukanya Pillay joined CCLA in October 2009 as Director of the National Security Program. She was previously a law professor at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law (2002-2008), in-house legal counsel for Hutchison Telecommunications in India (2000-2002), Director of the Law & Human Rights Program at TVE International New York office (1998-2000), and Program Director of Witness with the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (now Human Rights First), New York (1995-1998). She made over twenty missions to conflict zones worldwide in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. She has appeared before UN treaty bodies and Canadian courts on human rights issues, and has represented clients or presented expert evidence before administrative and judicial bodies in the US, India, Canada, and Europe.

Her research focuses on protecting the rights of vulnerable groups including the poor and disadvantaged in developing countries, refugees, and victims of human rights abuses, and she has written numerous papers published in academic journals on these issues. Sukanya won the Holmes-Cardozo award for research excellence from the American Academy of Legal Studies in Business (2006) for a co-authored paper on privacy, an Award for Excellence in Research from the University of Windsor (2005) for research and a documentary film on the effects of NAFTA on Mexican corn farmers, and an Outstanding Faculty Member Award from the Students Law Society Windsor (2003).

She graduated with a JD from the University of Windsor (1990), became a member of the Ontario Bar in 1992, and received an LL.M. in international legal studies from NYU School of Law (1994) where she was a graduate editor of the Journal of International Law and Politics. She worked at Davies Partners in Toronto (1992-1993), articled at Borden & Elliot (now Borden Ladner Gervais, Toronto) (1990-1991), clerked with the Ontario Court of Justice (1994-1995), and was seconded to work on the First Civil Justice Review with the Honourable Justice Robert Blair. Her documentary films and photography on human rights issues have appeared on BBC World, CBC, and in many film festivals.

email address: pillay@ccla.org

Director, Communications and Fundraising

Penelope joined CCLA in August 2010. Born and raised in France, she graduated from Tufts University in 2005 with a BA in international relations and political science. In 2007, she earned a bilingual MA degree in International Affairs with a focus on conflict and security from Sciences-Po Paris. Prior to joining CCLA, Penelope worked for the Clinton Foundation. She is also the co-founder and director of The Niapele Project, an NGO focused on improving the livelihoods of vulnerable children through grassroots initiatives in West Africa.

Penelope’s passion for social justice and human rights brought her to CCLA to manage communications and fundraising. Her interests lie primarily at the intersection of international affairs, economic development and foreign policy, with a particular focus on African issues and post-conflict reconstruction. She continues to work as a freelance contributor for several online publications dedicated to international affairs and sustainable development.

email address: pchester@ccla.org

Administrative Assistant

Johanna started out at the CCLA as a co-op student in 2005 and continues to work in the office as an administrative assistant. She currently attends the University of Toronto completing her double major in Political Science and Equity Studies.

email address: administration@ccla.org

April Julian

Education Coordinator

April Julian joined the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Education Trust in September 2009. As an Education Coordinator, April conducts civil liberties workshops and seminars in schools and faculties of education throughout Ontario, where she engages students in discussions about rights, civil liberties, and controversies related to democratic societies. In addition to her speaking engagements, April supports various initiatives to extend the outreach of CCLET education programmes and projects.

Prior to joining CCLET, April worked at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, where she helped build an online learning tool that teaches about the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. April is an Ontario Certified Teacher, and holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto.

email address: ajulian@ccla.org

Articling Fellow

Sheetal joined the Canadian Civil Liberties Association in August 2011 as a Law Foundation of Ontario Public Interest Articling Fellow.  Prior to commencing at the CCLA, Sheetal completed her J.D. at Osgoode Hall Law School, where her interest in law & social justice was further whet while working as a caseworker at Parkdale Community Legal Services.  Sheetal completed a Master’s degree in English Literature, collaborative with Women’s Studies, at the University of Toronto.  Last year she was the recipient of her undergraduate alma mater Huron University College’s Young Alumni Award.

Sheetal is a co-founder of the Miss G__ Project for Equity in Education, a grassroots organization that seeks to end all forms of oppression in and through education, with a current focus on curriculum reform.  She has been a board member of Literature for Life, a non-profit charitable organization that works to transform the lives of marginalized young mothers and their families through the power of literacy and literature.

email address: srawal@ccla.org

Administrative Assistant

Anne Lee joined the CCLA in February of 2010. As Administrative Assistant, Anne is the administrative support to the office staff, executive and board and assists in other office management.

email address: mail@ccla.org

General Counsel, Emeritus

Alan Borovoy was General Counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association from May, 1968 until June, 2009. Prior to coming to CCLA, Alan worked with other human rights and civil liberties organizations such as the National Committee for Human Rights of the Canadian Labour Congress, the Ontario Labour Committee for Human Rights, and the Toronto & District Labour Committee for Human Rights.

As General Counsel of CCLA, Alan made presentations to public inquiries and gave testimony before parliamentary committees on issues such as mandatory drug-testing in the workplace, wiretapping, and police race-relations. His community organizing activities included delegations to the federal and provincial governments on issues of capital punishment, religious education in the public schools, the War Measures Act, campus speech codes, and national security and intelligence.

In addition to his work as General Counsel, Alan was a fortnightly columnist for the Toronto Star from 1992-1996. Other media work included appearances on many public affairs programs, and on open-line television and radio programs. He is published widely across Canada, and is the author of The New Anti-Liberals, Uncivil Obedience: The Tactics and Tales of a Democratic Agitator and When Freedoms Collide: The Case for Our Civil Liberties, which was nominated for the Governor General’s Award in 1988. He has also given lectures and public addresses to students, human rights organizations, and policing agencies in Canada and abroad.

Alan has been a visiting professor at the faculties of law at Dalhousie University and the University of Windsor, and a part-time lecturer at the University of Toronto Faculty of Social Work and York University’s political science department.

Alan received his B.A. from the University of Toronto in 1953, and his LL.B. from the University of Toronto in 1956. He was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1958. He has also received four Honourary Doctor of Laws Degrees, the Law Society Medal from the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1989, an Award of Merit from the City of Toronto in 1982, and was inscribed in the Honour Roll of the aboriginal people of Treaty Number 3 in 1991. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1982.