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IN THE NEWS

CCLA is always speaking up to protect your civil liberties.

Below is a list of our latest media mentions.

Be sure to check back often, to stay up to date with the latest news about your civil liberties.

IN THE NEWSPRESS RELEASESTAKE ACTION
January 21, 2026

Canada faces a defining moment:

Canada faces a defining moment: Prime Minister Mark Carney warned at Davos on 20 January 2026 that we are “in the midst of a rupture” in the rules based international…
CCLA
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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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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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CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSRight to Reasonable Bail
June 1, 2023

Toronto.com: Fix Canada’s ‘broken’ bail system by giving more people bail, and more supports, some Toronto experts say

“The denial of bail should not be seen as the solution to public safety risks” says Shakir Rahim, a Toronto lawyer and Criminal Justice Program director of the Canadian Civil…
CCLA
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IN THE NEWSRight to Reasonable Bail
May 25, 2023

The Maple: Tightened Bail Restrictions Unlikely To Curb Violent Crime, Experts Warn

In January, the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS) and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) expressed concern about reverse onus restrictions because such measures “invert the foundational principle…
CCLA
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CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSRight to Reasonable Bail
May 23, 2023

The Globe and Mail: The flip side of bail reform in Canada

But as we said earlier this week, an equally important issue – one that politicians don’t talk about, and which rarely makes the headlines – is the thousands of people…
CCLA
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CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSRight to Reasonable Bail
May 21, 2023

CBC: Justice minister says federal government could not go much further on bail reform

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association said, "We believe that every person in Canada deserves to feel safe in their community but this bill will not accomplish that. It is possible…
CCLA
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IN THE NEWSRight to Reasonable Bail
May 17, 2023

CP24: CCLA Says Bill C-48 Will Not Make Public Safer

Shakir Rahim appeared on CP24 to discuss his concerns with Bill C-48 and how it will not make the public safer.
CCLA
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CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSPolice Transparency, Oversight & Accountability
March 3, 2023

The Agenda: Is Ontario’s Police Watchdog Effective?

It's never good news when we learn that the Special Investigations Unit – the SIU – has been deployed. It means that there’s been police involvement in harm or death…
Michael Lowery
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CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWS
March 1, 2023

CBC: Court delays not just a New Brunswick problem: civil liberties lawyer

Shakir Rahim, a lawyer and director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association's criminal justice program, said problematic delays, whether they result in a stay of charges or not, are becoming…
CCLA
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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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CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSPrisons, Jails & Community Supervision
October 13, 2022

CTV News: Denying bail to reduce B.C. crime a ‘dangerous’ proposition: Canadian Civil Liberties Association

The way crime and the bail system are being talked about in B.C is being described as "dangerous" and "concerning" by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
CCLA
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Emergencies ActEmergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
October 13, 2022

BBC News: Freedom Convoy: Trudeau to testify at Emergencies Act inquiry

"The protests needed to be addressed but the government also had an obligation to comply with the law and use emergency powers as a truly last resort," said the CCLA's…
CCLA
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IN THE NEWSPRIVACYSurveillance & PrivacySurveillance & Technology
July 15, 2022

The Guardian: ‘Asleep at the wheel’: Canada police’s spyware admission raises alarm

An admission from Canada’s national police force that it routinely uses powerful spyware to surveil citizens has prompted concern from experts, who warn the country is “asleep at the wheel”…
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
April 8, 2022

Toronto Sun: Opinion – Prohibiting demonstrations will stamp out social justice activism

It’s one of the oldest plays in the book — a crisis is followed by new laws that are intentionally broad enough to be applied to just about anybody considered…
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 18, 2022

Daily Caller: Canadian Civil Liberties Association Sues Government After Trudeau Invokes Emergencies Act

The CCLA is specifically planning to sue over the invocation of the Emergencies Act.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 17, 2022

CBC: Canadian Civil Liberties Association to sue federal government over Emergencies Act

CCLA says government's decision to invoke act infringes on Canadians' Charter rights.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 17, 2022

The Record: Civil liberties group files suit over use of Emergencies Act against convoy protests

The CCLA says the federal Liberals are invoking the act when the law’s own terms say it shouldn’t be used.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 17, 2022

CBC: Canadian Civil Liberties Association to sue federal government over Emergencies Act

"Emergency powers cannot and must not be normalized," said CCLA executive director Noa Mendelsohn.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 17, 2022

CTV News: Canadian Civil Liberties Association takes federal government to court over Emergencies Act

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is taking the federal government to court.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 17, 2022

Daily Hive: Canadian Civil Liberties Association to sue federal government over Emergencies Act

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) announced Thursday it plans to sue the federal government.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 17, 2022

Toronto Star: Civil liberties group files suit over use of Emergencies Act against convoy protests

The CCLA says the federal Liberals are invoking the act when the law’s own terms say it shouldn’t be used.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 17, 2022

Toronto Star: PM says Emergencies Act is ‘last resort,’ civil liberties group files court action

The federal government faced a constitutional challenge Thursday over its historic invocation of the Emergencies Act
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 16, 2022

New York Post: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau slammed for invoking emergency powers to stop protests

Canadian Prime Minister has been criticized by civil liberties groups and politicians for invoking emergency powers.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 16, 2022

The Globe and Mail: Ottawa pushes ahead with Emergencies Act as border protests end

The federal government is pushing ahead with sweeping Emergencies Act powers.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 16, 2022

Fox News: Trudeau’s declaration ‘bypasses the democratic process’: Civil liberties expert

The civil liberties leader argued the Canadian government already has the tools to deal with "challenging situations."
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 15, 2022

City News: Concerns over PM’s move to invoke Emergencies Act

'It threatens our democracy,' Canadian Civil Liberties Association says about the Emergencies Act.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 15, 2022

The New York Times: Trudeau Declares National Emergency to End Trucker Protests

Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, executive director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, criticized Mr. Trudeau’s actions.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 15, 2022

CP24: Did we need to invoke the Emergency Measures Act?

Noa Mendelsohn Aviv of the CCLA says Trudeau hasn't actually justified use of the Emergencies Act.
CCLA
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Emergencies Act NewsIN THE NEWS
February 15, 2022

Global News: CCLA warns normalizing emergency legislation threatens democracy, civil liberties

There are some concerns about the federal government's decision to invoke the Emergencies Act.
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
January 11, 2022

Toronto Star: Should people who have been convicted of crimes get automatic pardons when they have served their sentences?

Canada needs to automatically pardon people convicted of crimes to reduce the barriers they face reintegrating into society, advocates say.
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
January 10, 2022

City News: Proposal for mandatory vaccine policy troubling for civil liberties group

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association says a widespread mandatory vaccine policy from any province would likely conflict with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
December 14, 2021

CBC: Pandemic restrictions are due for a rethink, civil liberties group says

Cara Zwibel, ​director of the fundamental freedoms program with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, said the suggestion that the unvaccinated won't have access to essentials such as food and medicine…
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
December 13, 2021

Voice Online: CCLA launches latest tool to combat carding and racial profiling

“Racial profiling has a devastating impact on the lives of too many Black and Indigenous people in Canada, and harms our society as a whole in the process,” said Akwasi…
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
December 8, 2021

The Hill Times: Automatic pardon bill hailed by experts as ‘most significant’ justice reform in a long time

“Ultimately, we think an application-based system puts people through unnecessary red tape at a time when they are desperately trying to get their lives back on track,” said Deshman.
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
December 8, 2021

Toronto Star: Liberals’ bill to tackle over-incarceration of Indigenous and Black people called a missed opportunity

“I think repealing some (mandatory minimum sentences) and not all is a missed opportunity to do what’s right for our most vulnerable populations,” said Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, a University of Toronto…
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
December 8, 2021

CBC: Elections Alberta says fraudulent social media posts sought to damage agency’s reputation

Cara Zwibel, a lawyer and director with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, says it would make sense for Elections Alberta to review alleged impersonations to improve how they combat misinformation.
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
November 30, 2021

Global News: Quantity and quality of education for detained Ontario youth varies: report

The quantity and quality of education offered to youth in Ontario’s detention centres varies greatly by facility, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened those discrepancies, according to a new…
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
November 29, 2021

The Suburban: Quebec police violent arrest of Black teen caught on video

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association‘s Noa Mendelsohn Aviv said, “The officers’ actions are inexcusable. They do not have the legal authority to be abusive or to humiliate” suspects.”
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
November 22, 2021

New York Times: 2 Canadian Journalists Arrested at Indigenous Protest Are Freed on Bail

“The Canadian public has a right to know what is happening on the site, and journalists have the weighty responsibility to tell these stories,” Cara Zwibel, director of the fundamental…
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
November 18, 2021

Toronto Star: Ontario is developing a digital ID program for its citizens. The process needs more transparency, privacy experts say

“All the right words are being said, and all the right issues are being discussed, but when it comes to the implementation of any technology, the devil is in the…
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
June 15, 2021

Inter News Cast

NSW Health investigates possible COVID-19 transmission in hotel quarantine
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
June 15, 2021

Inter News Cast

‘The ETHOS of Forgiveness is what made America’ – Jason Whitlock and Steve Deace on Christianity vs. Wokeism
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
June 15, 2021

Toronto

COVID tickets under legal scrutiny
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
May 7, 2021

CBC:

Ontario walks back new policing powers following pushback.
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
May 6, 2021

Indo-Canadian Voice:

National Council of Canadian Muslims and CCLA appealing Bill 21 decision.
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
April 18, 2021

CTV News: Kitchener

Waterloo Region, Guelph adjust to changing provincial restrictions
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
March 24, 2021

Salt Wire

Civil liberties group questions Nova Scotia's moves to curb outbreak
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
September 2, 2020

CBC

Hundreds contest fines related to COVID-19 regulations
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 31, 2020

The Lawyer Daily

Key pandemic legislation puts Ontario in ‘emergency purgatory,’ says OBA panellist
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 27, 2020

Edmonton Journal

Legal groups blast 'unconstitutional' Bill 10 during committee meeting
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 27, 2020

Edmonton Journal

Legal groups blast 'unconstitutional' Bill 10 during committee meeting
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 23, 2020

Kitchener Today

Why did police access personal health information? MPP Lindo has questions
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 20, 2020

Kawartha 411

Kawartha Lakes Police asked to explain “extremely high” access to Coronavirus testing database
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 20, 2020

CBC

Concerns that Hamilton police accessing COVID-19 test data is 'invasion of privacy'
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 20, 2020

Brantford Expositor

Health information accessed by police
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 19, 2020

CBC

Guelph Police use of COVID-19 database 'abnormally high,' human rights groups say
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 19, 2020

CBC

London Police snooped on personal health data 10,475 times in 4 months
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 19, 2020

CBC

Why were police in Thunder Bay, Ont. so curious about your COVID-19 status? Civil rights groups want to know
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 19, 2020

Global News

City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service accessed coronavirus database more than 1,000 times
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 19, 2020

MSN

Police board wants info on London police’s ‘abnormally high’ use of COVID-19 database
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 19, 2020

Global News

Human rights groups concerned over Thunder Bay police’s ‘abnormally high’ access of COVID-19 data
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
August 19, 2020

The London Free Press

Watchdog seeks audit of heavy London police use of COVID-19 database
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 19, 2020

CTV News

Ontario COVID-19 database accessed a combined 5,000 times by police in Guelph and Waterloo
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 18, 2020

Ottawa Citizen

COVID-19: Ottawa registers first death in weeks; OPH launches webpage for info for parents
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 18, 2020

CTV

Enforcement versus endurance in B.C.'s pandemic response
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
August 17, 2020

CTV News Toronto

Ontario ends police access to COVID-19 database after legal challenge
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 14, 2020

The Spec

Criticizing Atlantic Canada for protecting its citizens is ridiculous
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 12, 2020

Salt Wire

Arbitrary law or necessary decision? Judge to rule on Newfoundland and Labrador's COVID-19 travel ban
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
August 11, 2020

Niagara This Week

Today’s coronavirus news: Canada won’t cut corners on COVID-19 vaccine, Tam says; B.C. to delay return to school
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
July 21, 2020

660 City News

Mandate or educate? Debating mandatory masks and enforcement
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
July 20, 2020

Huffington Post

Refugee Shares Story Of Living Through Pandemic In Homeless Shelter
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
July 17, 2020

Edmonton Journal

Health legislation committee to invite civil liberties groups and Hinshaw to testify but not unions or CEOs
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
July 17, 2020

CTV News Toronto

Groups launch legal action against Ontario for sharing COVID-19 data with police
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
July 16, 2020

CBC

Legal groups launch court application over sharing of COVID-19 test data with police
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
July 16, 2020

CBC

New rules for collecting contact tracing info coming amid privacy concerns
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
July 16, 2020

Global News

Rights groups fight sharing of COVID-19 status with Ontario police forces in court
CCLA
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IN THE NEWS
July 12, 2020

CBC

Hairstylists, barbers top list of businesses fined during pandemic
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
July 11, 2020

Calgary Sun

Security concerns linger over province's COVID contract tracing app
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
July 1, 2020

VICE

As Canada’s COVID-19 Cases Dwindle, Toronto Moves to Mandate Mask Use
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 26, 2020

National Post

Danielle Smith: It's time to end the arbitrary enforcement of health orders
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 25, 2020

Global News

Despite small population, Nova Scotia accounts for high number of coronavirus charges
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 25, 2020

NAR City

Almost All Of The COVID-19 Fines In Canada Were Issued In Just 3 Provinces
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 24, 2020

Global News

Canadians have racked up $13M in coronavirus fines, racial profiling evident: report
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 24, 2020

CBC

Majority of Canada's $13M in pandemic fines were issued in Quebec, report finds
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 24, 2020

CTV News

Millions of dollars in COVID-19 fines disproportionately hurting Black, Indigenous, marginalized groups: report
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 24, 2020

Toronto Sun

'OVER-ZEALOUS ENFORCEMENT': Pandemic fines top $13M, study says
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 24, 2020

The Star

Civil liberties watchdog warns of ‘ugly ticketing pandemic’ during COVID-19 outbreak
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 17, 2020

CBC

Yukon contractors launch Charter challenge to COVID-19 restrictions
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 17, 2020

CBC

Mandatory mask laws are spreading in Canada
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 15, 2020

Salt Wire

Travel ban not currently under reconsideration: Newfoundland Labrador premier
CCLA
Love0
IN THE NEWS
June 13, 2020

CBC

Can stores refuse my money? Your COVID-19 cash questions answered
CCLA
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