CCLA before Supreme Court to promote meaningful police accountability and oversight

The CCLA is before the Supreme Court today, arguing that police officers involved in an investigation by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) into the use of force resulting in death or serious injury to a civilian are not entitled to the assistance of legal counsel in the preparation of their duty notes of the incident. [...]

Supreme Court ruling reinforces integrity of police complaint system, civil claims

The Supreme Court has released its decision in Penner v. NRPSB, a case that examined whether a finding by the police complaints system can effectively terminate an ongoing or subsequent civil action.  The Supreme Court affirmed that, due significant differences between the two legal procedures, it would be a “serious affront to basic principles of [...]

CCLA celebrates robust win for Canadians’ privacy at the Supreme Court

The CCLA is extremely pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision in R. v. Telus, which upholds strong privacy protections for the millions of Canadians who communicate via text message.  The Criminal Code contains comprehensive provisions on intercepting private communication, giving individuals heightened privacy protection when police apply for a wiretap authorization.  The Canadian Civil Liberties [...]

CCLA joins with civil society organizations from across the globe to call on the UN to protect the right to protest

From the Toronto G20 to the Occupy movement, the widespread (and continuing) protests in Quebec and the nation-wide Idle No More actions, individuals in Canada have been participating in their democracy through diverse and creative expressive acts.  As a society we have also witnessed a range of government and police responses to these grassroots movements.  [...]

Ontario Court of Appeal gives you yet another reason to put that password on your cell phone…

Generally, the police do not need a warrant to search a person who is under arrest, and regularly do look through arrestees’ bags and pockets to ensure officer safety and secure potential evidence.  Fifteen years ago this kind of search might turn up a wallet, some papers, maybe an address book.  Today, however, through the [...]