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

Freedom of ExpressionFreedom of the PressFUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMSRegulation of Online Expression
March 21, 2023

CCLA speaks out on guiding principles for Canada’s upcoming online safety proposal

CCLA has joined with 12 other civil society organizations to release a joint statement addressed to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pabo Rodriguez, describing shared concerns and hopes related to…
Cara Zwibel
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CRIMINAL JUSTICECriminal Records & Collateral ConsequencesCriminal Records & Police Record ChecksPolice Powers, Use of Force & Police AccountabilityPolice Transparency, Oversight & AccountabilityRace, Religion & Ethnicity
March 9, 2023

Court agrees with CCLA that police background checks require oversight

On February 27, 2023, the Divisional Court in Ontario released its decision in Khorsand v. Toronto Police Services Board. The CCLA was an intervenor in the case. The Court held…
CCLA
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Democratic RightsFUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMSPolitical AdvertisingPRESS RELEASES
March 6, 2023

CCLA Reacts to Working Families Decision

OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), reacted to the Working Families decision today where the CCLA was an intervener; The Ontario Court of…
CCLA
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Freedom of ExpressionFreedom of the PressFUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS
February 24, 2023

Read our op-ed inspired by Freedom to Read Week by Cara Zwibel, Director, Fundamental Freedoms Program

Last Spring Sotheby’s auction house sold off a copy of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale for 130,000 USD. The special edition wasn’t an original manuscript. It didn’t even come with…
Cara Zwibel
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Live Updates

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

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In The News

CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSRight to Reasonable Bail
November 24, 2022

The Globe and Mail: B.C. bail policy change raises Charter concerns

After news of the bill's repeal, Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, the executive director and general counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, called for Ford to commit to never invoking the…
CCLA
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Bill 28Freedom of AssociationFUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMSIN THE NEWS
November 15, 2022

CBC News: Ontario government repeals anti-strike law for CUPE education workers

After news of the bill's repeal, Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, the executive director and general counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, called for Ford to commit to never invoking the…
CCLA
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Bill 28Freedom of AssociationFUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMSIN THE NEWS
November 2, 2022

Toronto Star: It’s time to ditch the notwithstanding clause

But recently, the Quebec and Ontario governments have shown an alarming trend to resort to the clause to violate human rights, and in a way that threatens to normalize its…
CCLA
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CRIMINAL JUSTICEEQUALITYIN THE NEWSPolice Powers, Use of Force & Police AccountabilityRacial Profiling
October 26, 2022

The Guardian: Canada court rules random traffic stops are racist and unconstitutional

A Canadian court has ruled that random traffic stops violate the country’s charter, striking down the “unbounded power” of police in searches that often amount to racial profiling.
CCLA
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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.

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