Latest News
CCLA Calls for Action: Diab still detained on basis of unreliable evidence
The following is a reprint of a letter sent by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, to Ministers Freeland and Wilson-Raybould, and Mr. Alghabra. This letter was also read out in support of the press conference held in Ottawa on June 21, 2017. The Honourable Chrystia Freeland Minister of Foreign Affairs House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario […]
Introducing the Winners of CCLET’s Annual Chernos Essay Competition
About the Prize: Each year, CCLET holds a high school essay competition in honor of the late Bernard Chernos, a civil libertarian, lawyer, and lover of lively debate. Students from across Canada are asked to respond to one of four questions dealing with a conflict of Charter rights and freedoms for a chance to win $500 […]
CCLA finds promise and peril in C-59—the new anti-terror bill
On June 20, 2017 the federal government released Bill C-59, An Act Respecting National Security Matters, which includes major proposed changes to many aspects of Canadian national security law. The 150-page bill addresses some of the problems CCLA identified in our legal challenge to provisions of former Bill C-51 (the existing Anti-terrorism Act, 2015) that […]
Know Your Rights
‘Small voices’ could still be silenced by B.C. election rules
Supreme Court ruling clarifies ‘self-expression’ TORONTO, Ont. ̶ The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is pleased the Supreme Court of Canada has clarified that wearing t-shirts or displaying a bumper sticker does not equate to advertising during elections. However, today’s decision in B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association v British Columbia (Attorney General) could […]
Know Your Rights Guide to Protesting
If you’re planning any protesting, marching, or demonstrating, be safe, be careful, and know your rights. Click here to download a 1-page pdf that outlines your rights and responsibilities at protests in Canada. Print it. Stick it in your pocket. Go and protest!
Supreme Court: implied consent for “less sensitive” information under PIPEDA
The Supreme Court of Canada’s recent decision in Royal Bank of Canada v. Trang is important to the discussion of privacy rights in Canada. The decision highlights that consent to the disclosure of personal information can be implied under the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”) “when the information is ‘less […]
What We Do
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Engagement
Whether at major events, in the media, or through public advocacy campaigns, we engage with citizens to support democratic action and dialogue.
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Education
Through our foundation, the Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust, we bring important issues into Canadian classrooms and communities.
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Monitoring
As a watchdog for civil liberties, we use our network to monitor and report on current issues—both locally and at the international level.
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Research
We partner with law firms and the academic community to enable and inform our advocacy work through essential research.
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LITIGATION
Since the 1960s we’ve defended civil liberties through high-impact legal action and intervention, including at the Supreme Court of Canada.