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

Device SearchesPRESS RELEASESPRIVACYPrivacy Law ReformReasonable Expectations of Privacy
March 1, 2024

Supreme Court of Canada rules Police Now Required to Obtain Warrants for IP Address Access

Following the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in Bykovets, Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the following statement: Today's decision…
CCLA
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Bill 21EQUALITYFreedom of ReligionPRESS RELEASES
February 29, 2024

CCLA Reacts to Bill 21

MONTREAL — Today the Court of Appeal has issued a disappointing decision rejecting the constitutional challenge to Bill 21. This ruling represents a painful setback in our ongoing fight against discrimination,…
CCLA
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Freedom of ExpressionFUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMSInternet Privacy and SpeechPRESS RELEASESRegulation of Online Expression
February 28, 2024

CCLA Urges Substantial Amendments to the Online Harms Act

TORONTO — Following the Government of Canada’s reintroduction of the Online Harms Act (Bill C-63), Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the following statement: This is…
CCLA
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CRIMINAL JUSTICEPrisons, Jails & Community SupervisionRight to Reasonable Bail
February 26, 2024

CCLA releases major report on bail system in Canada

CCLA is releasing its latest report on the bail system in Canada today, Still Failing: The Deepening Crisis of Bail and Pre-Trial Detention in Canada. In the ten years since…
CCLA
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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
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
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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
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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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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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