CCLA Intervenes in Constitutional Challenge to Criminalization of Panhandling in Ontario

TORONTO — Pro bono legal counsel representing the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) will appear today before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to make arguments that the Safe Streets Act violates the rights and freedoms of people who are unhoused and living in poverty in Ontario. The CCLA will argue that sections of the Safe Streets Act that criminalize individuals for seeking donations from the public in certain public places restricts their freedom of expression and safety.

“The Safe Streets Act criminalizes and restricts the freedom of expression of unhoused and low-income people who seek donations from the public in order to survive and live with dignity,” said Harini Sivalingam, Director of the Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), an intervenor in the case. “Limiting the rights of people living in poverty who ask for supports to meet their basic needs is inhumane and should be deemed unconstitutional.”

The case is being heard in-person at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice from February 6 to 8, 2024.

CCLA is grateful to pro bono legal counsel Frank Addario and Rebecca Amoah of Addario Law Group LLP, for their representation in this case.

Lisez le factum de l'ACLC ici.

A link to a joint statement by intervenors in the case can be found here.​​​​

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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