CCLA Argues Before the Ontario Court of Appeal to Protect the Rights of Workers With Disabilities

TORONTO – Pro bono lawyers representing the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) will be appearing at the Ontario Court of Appeal today as intervenors in Jacob v Canada (Attorney General) to protect the rights of workers with disabilities.

This legal challenge concerns the $5000 income eligibility threshold and exclusion of disability benefits as an eligible income source for qualification to receive COVID benefits. The Appellants argue that these restrictions discriminate against workers with disabilities.

The CCLA is intervening in this case to ensure that individuals challenging the constitutionality of laws and policies have access to meaningful remedies. Although COVID benefits programs are no longer active, there are important implications for access to justice that stem from this case if the court finds the $5000 income threshold and exclusion of disability benefits to be unconstitutional.

The CCLA will argue that it is imperative that just and meaningful remedies be made available to those who undertake the public service of challenging the constitutionality of laws and policies.

The CCLA is represented by our pro bono counsel Jennifer Hunter, Kathryn Ball, and Zahra Vaid  of Lerners LLP.

Read CCLA’s factum ICI.

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À propos de l’association canadienne sur les libertés civiles
L’ACLC est un organisme indépendant à but non lucratif qui compte des partisans dans tout le pays. Fondée en 1964, c’est une association de défense des droits de la personne qui opère à l’échelle du Canada pour défendre les droits, la dignité, la sécurité et les libertés de toute la population.

Communications avec les médias :
media@ccla.org