Skip to main content

Community Safety Reimagined

This guide is meant for teachers to become familiar with the Right to Protest Learning Unit, which is designed to introduce students to protections for the right to protest found in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and discusses why this right is necessary in democracies. Examples of laws that limit the right to protest are also provided, along with a case study illustrating the conflict between protest rights and a municipal bylaw created in response to the 2012 student protests in Quebec.

The Learning Unit ends with an opportunity for students to discuss what, in their opinion, is the appropriate balance between the right to protest and public order.

Focus Of The Report

The report focuses on several areas of community safety, including but not limited to:

  • Racism and policing
  • Homelessness
  • Mental health
  • Youth
  • Gender-based violence
Rethinking Community Safety – A Step Forward For Toronto
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
Opportunities For Action

Addressing systemic discrimination and other issues with policing requires our ongoing, diligent, and dedicated efforts. The areas of activity outlined in this report provide an immediate opportunity to begin to move to models that better serve marginalized communities—reallocate resources to support vulnerable people, improve community safety, and produce better outcomes in the short and long term. Toronto should take action on them now. Read the report for the full list of our recommendations.

Our Latest Work and Updates

Filter

AllAccess to InformationArbitrary DetentionArtificial IntelligenceBill 21Bill 28Bill C-27Border TechnologyCases and LawsCCPA (Bill C-11)Community SupervisionConditions of ConfinementConstitutional RemediesCOVID-19COVID-19 & Law EnforcementCOVID-19 & PrisonsCRIMINAL JUSTICECriminal Prohibitions on SpeechCriminal Records & Collateral ConsequencesCriminal Records & Police Record ChecksCriminal Records & Police Record ChecksCruel & Unusual PunishmentDeaths in CustodyDecriminalizationDeescalation & Use of ForceDefamationDemocratic RightsDetasking PoliceDevice SearchesDisabilityDNA ForensicsDONATEEDUCATIONElection FinanceEmergencies ActEmergencies Act NewsEQUALITYFace SurveillanceFair Trial RightsFair Trial, Due Process & SentencingFighting Compelled Political SpeechFighting Solitary ConfinementFreedom of AssociationFreedom of ExpressionFreedom of ReligionFreedom of the PressFRONT BURNER ISSUESFUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMSGET INFORMEDGuidesHabeas CorpusIN THE NEWSINCLOIndigenous PeopleInformation SharingIntelligence & CybersecurityInternet Privacy and SpeechLearnLGBTQ2S+Life, Liberty & SecurityMAJOR CASES & REPORTSMass SurveillanceMobilityNational SecurityNB Abortion RightsNot Criminally ResponsibleNotwithstanding ClauseOntario Private Sector LegislationOpen CourtsPIPEDAPODCASTPolice Coercion & EntrapmentPolice Powers, Use of Force & Police AccountabilityPolice Transparency, Oversight & AccountabilityPolicy 713Political AdvertisingPRESS RELEASESPresumption of InnocencePrisons, Jails & Community SupervisionPRIVACYPrivacy ActPrivacy During COVIDPrivacy Law ReformProsecutorial MisconductProtecting JournalistsRace, Religion & EthnicityRacial ProfilingReasonable Expectations of PrivacyRefugees & ImmigrationRegulation of Online ExpressionRight to CounselRight to ProtestRight to Reasonable BailRight to SilenceSafe SheltersSearch & SeizureSearch & SeizureSentencingSex Offender RegistriesSmart CitiesSocial MediaSocio-Economic StatusSolitary ConfinementStrip SearchesSurveillance & PrivacySurveillance & TechnologySurveillance CapitalismTalk RightsToronto's Smart CityTravel ScreeningUncategorizedUnreasonable Search & SeizureVaccine PassportsVOLUNTEERVoting RightsWomenYouth

Know Your Rights: Universities Should Continue to Acknowledge the Rights of Students to Express Themselves and to Protest Peacefully

Now more than ever, it is important for individuals to understand their rights when they…
May 8, 2024

Join Us As We Stand Against Bill 21 and for Human Rights

This is a critical moment.
February 24, 2022

CCLA Slams Ontario’s Power Grab in Bill 5

MONTREAL —  Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, Director of Fundamental Freedoms at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA),…
May 6, 2025

CCLA and 35 Civil Society Organizations Decry Provincial Inaction in Addressing Recommendations From Inquest Into Death of Soleiman Faqiri

TORONTO —  Soleiman Faqiri was a man with significant mental health conditions killed in provincial custody…
May 5, 2025

Choisir l’inclusion et non l’assimilation: Lettre ouverte sur les projets de loi 84 et 94 du Québec

Choisir l’inclusion et non l’assimilation Anaïs Bussières McNicoll et Harini Sivalingam 5 mai 2025 La…
May 5, 2025

Leave to Appeal to SCC Granted

MONTREAL – Aaden Pearson, Staff Lawyer at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association released the following…
May 2, 2025

85 Organizations Across Ontario Stand Against Punishing Encampments

85 organizations working across communities in Ontario stand united as the newly formed Encampment Justice…
May 2, 2025

CCLA Welcomes Elections Canada’s Decision to Investigate Polling Station Issues in Nunavik

MONTREAL - Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, Director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program at the Canadian Civil…
May 1, 2025

CCLA Condemns Rights Violations and Urges Withdrawal of Quebec’s Bill 94

Harini Sivalingam, Director of Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association made the following…
May 1, 2025

Statement on Premier’s Ford Alarming Remarks on Judicial Independence

TORONTO —  Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program (CCLA), made the following statement: Premier…
April 30, 2025

CCLA welcomes decision on gender affirming healthcare funding in Ontario

CCLA welcomes the decision of the Court of Appeal for Ontario in OHIP v KS confirming that…
April 23, 2025

Statement on Proposed Use of Notwithstanding Clause in Run-Up to Federal Election

TORONTO —  Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program (CCLA), made the following statement: The…
April 23, 2025

The Trouble With Toronto’s Proposed Bubble Zone Bylaw

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms just celebrated its 43rd anniversary. On this occasion,…
April 19, 2025

CCLA Intervening before Supreme Court to Protect Habeas Corpus

The CCLA will appear as an intervenor before the Supreme Court of Canada in AGC…
April 17, 2025

CCLA strongly opposes Alberta’s proposed forced treatment law

TORONTO —  Harini Sivalingam, Director of the Equality Program of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA),…
April 15, 2025

CCLA to Defend Canadians’ Mobility Rights at Supreme Court

TORONTO, April 15, 2025 – The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) will appear at the…
April 15, 2025

CCLA Intervening Before Supreme Court to Ensure Legal Distinction Between Aiding Suicide and Murder Upheld

The CCLA has been granted leave to intervene before the Supreme Court of Canada in…
April 9, 2025

Federal Election: CCLA Leads Joint Call for a Public Consultation on the Notwithstanding Clause

TORONTO - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Federal Leaders Must Commit to Protecting People of Canada’s Rights…
April 8, 2025

CCLA on The Advocates’ Society’s Recent Decision

TORONTO - Read here CCLA's letter to The Advocates' Society on their decision to rescind…
April 4, 2025

CCLA Reacts to Maplehurst

TORONTO — Shakir Rahim, Director of Criminal Justice at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, made…
April 4, 2025

CCLA Intervenes at the Quebec Superior Court to Defend the Right to Effective Representation

Citizens’ votes should not be unduly diluted. Today, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association filed its…
April 4, 2025

CCLA intervening before Supreme Court in McKee to protect fair trial rights

The CCLA has been granted leave to intervene before the Supreme Court of Canada in…
April 2, 2025
en_CAEnglish (Canada)