CCLA Intervenes in Kingston Encampment Evictions

TORONTO — Pro bono counsel representing the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) will appear today before the Ontario Superior Court to make arguments in an encampment eviction case in Kingston, Ontario.

Earlier this year, the City of Kingston made an application to evict encampment residents at Belle Park. Residents of the encampment are challenging the eviction.

The CCLA, an intervenor in the case, argues that forced evictions violate the right not to be deprived of shelter guaranteed under s 7 of the Charter and constitute a deprivation of life, liberty and security of the person.

As a basic human need, shelter is a building block to fully recognizing and asserting the rights, freedoms, and dignity of those who are unhoused.

“Enforced evictions of unhoused individuals, who are among the most vulnerable members of society, are inhumane,” says Harini Sivalingam, Director of the Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

“Shelter is one of the most basic human needs, and state enforced deprivation of shelter is a violation of Charter rights and Canada’s international legal obligations.”

CCLA is grateful to pro bono legal counsel Alexa Biscaro and Erika Anschuetz of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, for their representation in this case.

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Read the CCLA’s factum on the merit.

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
Alex Nanoff – 613.709.6318