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STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS

CCLA actively stands up to power by fighting against rights violations, abuse of police powers, inequality, and discrimination. We stand for freedom, equality, and a better future for all people in Canada.

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Our Work

Our Work Centres Around Our Five Core Areas

We believe in

EQUALITY

Equality – which includes equity, diversity, and inclusion – recognizes that every person is equal in value and worth, and each is deserving of fairness, dignity and rights.

We believe in

FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS

Fundamental Freedoms allow individuals and groups to express themselves, to believe and practice what they choose, and to exercise their right to vote.

We believe in

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

We work to ensure that constitutional rights are respected at every step of the criminal justice system, and that the extraordinary powers conferred to police and criminal courts are used proportionately, fairly, humanely, and only when absolutely necessary.

We believe in

PRIVACY

We bring a principled and rights-focused approach to assessing the impact of new technologies and surveillance, in areas ranging from policing methods to people’s public and private lives.

We Believe In

EDUCATION

CCLA & CCLET provide free workshops, seminars, and in-class sessions in schools, educational institutions, and faculties of education, educating citizens about their rights and freedoms.

What's Happening Right Now

CRIMINAL JUSTICECruel & Unusual PunishmentFreedom of ExpressionFUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS
May 8, 2024

Online Harms Act (Bill C-63): CCLA Joins Civil Society Call to Separate Parts Two and Three from the Bill

On May 7, 2024, CCLA joined a call by civil society organizations, academics and experts to ask the government to separate Parts Two and Three of the Bill so that…
Anaïs Bussières McNicoll
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CRIMINAL JUSTICEFair Trial RightsFair Trial, Due Process & Sentencing
May 6, 2024

Supreme Court underscores importance of judicial independence in R. v. Edwards et al.

The Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling in R. v. Edwards et al. affirms the constitutional importance of rigorously protecting judicial independence. The Court held there must always be protections from…
Shakir Rahim
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FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMSPRESS RELEASESRight to Protest
May 2, 2024

Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Freedom of Expression: CCLA Welcomes the Quebec Superior Court Decision Refusing to Order the Dismantlement of the McGill University Encampment

MONTREAL — Following the Quebec Superior Court’s dismissal of an injunction application seeking the dismantlement of the encampment set up on the McGill University’s grounds as part of a student protest…
CCLA
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Bill 21EQUALITYFreedom of ReligionPRESS RELEASES
April 30, 2024

Leave to Appeal Filed at the Supreme Court of Canada on Bill 21 Case

OTTAWA — The National Council for Canadian Muslims (NCCM), the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and Ichrak Nour El Hak, are seeking permission from the Supreme Court of Canada to hear…
CCLA
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Live Updates

View all our latest updates, issues, briefs, and activities.

VIEW ALL LATEST UPDATES

In The News

CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSRight to Reasonable Bail
January 30, 2024

CTV News: More than 80% of inmates in Ontario jails last year were legally innocent, awaiting trial: data

“We at CCLA, like others, we care about public safety,” Rahim said."We just want to think about what we can do within our bail system to have it run effectively.”…
CCLA
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Emergencies ActFreedom of AssociationFreedom of ExpressionIN THE NEWS
January 23, 2024

CBC News: Ottawa’s use of Emergencies Act against convoy protests was unreasonable, violated Charter, court rules

Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, executive director of the CCLA, said their win sets a clear and critical precedent for future governments. "Emergency is not in the eye of the beholder. Emergency…
CCLA
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EQUALITYIN THE NEWSLGBTQ2S+Youth
October 17, 2023

The Guardian: Canada province uses constitutional override to advance pronoun legislation

“The government of Saskatchewan is threatening to shred a piece of the charter this Tuesday, and in so doing violate the rights, the freedom, the privacy, the equality and the…
CCLA
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CRIMINAL JUSTICEIN THE NEWSReasonable Expectations of PrivacySearch & Seizure
August 11, 2023

CBC: Arctic Bay residents raise concerns after RCMP search mail

Shakir Rahim, a lawyer and director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association's criminal justice program, said it raises "serious concerns." Section 8 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms states…
CCLA
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Other Ways To Help

Calling All Activists - Help Us Protect Your Rights.

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CCLA does not receive government funding. We rely solely on the support of our donor community.

Together, we can uphold the rights and freedoms of all people living in Canada.

Thank You to Our Partners

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