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

EQUALITYLGBTQ2S+PRESS RELEASESYouth
August 24, 2023

CCLA reacts to latest revisions to New Brunswick Policy 713

TORONTO — Harini Sivalingam, Lawyer and Director of the Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) made the following statement: CCLA has serious concerns about the constitutionality of the…
CCLA
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Freedom of ExpressionFUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMSPRESS RELEASESRegulation of Online Expression
August 23, 2023

CCLA Reacts to Peterson Decision

TORONTO —  Noa Mendelsoh Aviv, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, made the following statement: The CCLA does not endorse the views of Dr. Peterson…
CCLA
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EQUALITYLGBTQ2S+PRESS RELEASESYouth
August 22, 2023

CCLA: SK Policy Violates Rights of Students

TORONTO — Harini Sivalingam, Director of the Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) made the following statement: Today's policy changes will make it more dangerous to be…
CCLA
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CRIMINAL JUSTICEFair Trial RightsFair Trial, Due Process & Sentencing
August 17, 2023

Supreme Court clarifies role of court-appointed lawyers (amicus) for unrepresented accused persons

On July 28, 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in R. v. Kahsai, 2023 SCC 20. Mr. Kahsai was charged with criminal offences and chose not to…
Shakir Rahim
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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 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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CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSRight to Reasonable Bail
August 1, 2023

Newstalk 1010: Ontario police groups, legal advocates call for different approaches to proposed bail reform

Shakir Rahim, Criminal Justice Program Director, appeared on Newstalk 1010 to discuss proposed bail reform.
CCLA
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CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSRight to Reasonable Bail
July 24, 2023

The Hill Times: National Police Federation, police chiefs association favour bail reform bill, but advocacy groups wary of bail denial as ‘red herring’

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the John Howard Society are wary of Bill C-48, and have expressed concerns over the potential effects of denying bail to individuals.
CCLA
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EQUALITYIN THE NEWSLGBTQ2S+
June 8, 2023

CBC: Civil liberties group concerned about ‘domino effect’ of LGBTQ-protection policy review

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association says it's concerned about the fallout of New Brunswick's review of a policy protecting LGBTQ students and would consider legal action, depending on the result.
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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