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 SearchesDigital IDDisabilityDNA ForensicsDONATEEDUCATIONElection FinanceEmergencies ActEmergencies Act NewsEncryptionEQUALITYFace 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 JournalistsQuebec's School Prayer BanRace, 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

Emergencies Act Case: CCLA Claims Historic Victory at the Federal Court of Appeal

TORONTO – The Federal Court of Appeal has delivered a historic victory for the rule…
January 16, 2026

CCLA Appearing Before Supreme Court to Protect Right to be Sentenced Within A Reasonable Time

The CCLA will appear before the Supreme Court of Canada as an intervenor in R.…
January 15, 2026

CCLA at the Supreme Court of Canada to Protect People’s Constitutional Right to Reasonable Administrative Decisions

The CCLA is at the Supreme Court of Canada this morning to present its oral…
January 15, 2026

CCLA Intervening to Defend Rights of Unhoused People in Landmark Ontario Appeal

TORONTO — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has been granted leave to intervene in an…
January 12, 2026

The Fight for Gender-Affirming Care Protections Must Continue

Toronto, ON — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is deeply concerned with yesterday's court decision…
December 19, 2025

Government’s Cybersecurity Proposal Threatens Privacy – And Security

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) submitted a brief today calling on a parliamentary committee…
December 17, 2025

Canadian Civil Liberties Association Echoes Faqiri Family Plea for Action on Inquest Recommendations

The CCLA echoes the plea made today by the Faqiri family at Queen’s Park for…
December 15, 2025

CCLA Intervening in R. v. Cope to Address Overrepresentation of Indigenous People in Prisons

The CCLA will appear before the Supreme Court of Canada as an intervener in R.…
December 11, 2025

Quebec’s Bill 13: Yet Another Attack on Quebecers’ Democracy

Montreal – December 10, 2025 Quebec’s Bill 13, An Act to promote the population’s safety and…
December 10, 2025

CCLA Sounds the Alarm as Alberta Government Entrenches Discrimination Into Law

TORONTO — Bill 9 strips people of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of…
December 10, 2025

CCLA Strongly Opposes Bill C-16

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association strongly opposes Bill C-16 announced today by the Minister of…
December 9, 2025

CCLA Intervening at SCC to Protect Privacy on Social Media Platforms

CCLA was granted leave to intervene before the Supreme Court of Canada in Facebook v…
December 5, 2025

More than 300 organizations call for the withdrawal of Quebec’s Bill 1

Montreal, December 4, 2025 – A broad coalition of Quebec civil society organizations, including the Ligue…
December 4, 2025

Quebec’s Bill 9 Is a Direct Attack on the Fundamental Freedoms of All Quebecers

In collaboration with the Ligue des droits et libertés, our Fundamental Freedoms program director Anaïs…
November 28, 2025

CCLA Disappointed in Federal Court Slepcsik v. Canada Decision

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is disappointed in last week’s Federal Court decision in…
November 28, 2025

Quebec’s Bill 9 Masks Discrimination as Secularism

MONTREAL — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) denounces Quebec’s Bill 9, tabled today, as yet another…
November 27, 2025

Quebec’s Bill 1: An Illegitimate Bill with Authoritarian Overtones

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) has just submitted its brief on Bill 1—the Quebec…
November 25, 2025

CCLA Statement on Ontario Cash Bail Proposal

Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program, said, “The Ontario Government’s proposal to require…
November 24, 2025

Rights Groups Issue Urgent Warning Ahead of Critical C-12 Vote

OTTAWA – A broad coalition of groups from across Canada is sounding an urgent alarm…
November 24, 2025

CCLA submission warns Bill C-12 will create fundamental unfairness in our immigration system

In a brief published by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and…
November 21, 2025
en_CAEnglish (Canada)