Freedom of expression includes freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication.
Protecting Freedom of Expression
When government actors are allowed to decide which opinions can be expressed and which cannot, an open, vibrant and diverse society quickly breaks down.
Similarly, when our court system is used to silence those with unpopular views or those who oppose powerful actors, we all lose the opportunity to hear all sides of an issue and come to our own conclusions. Freedom of expression is the right to speak, but also the right to hear.
Informed political debate requires that this right be strongly protected, and it is only through free expression that individuals can take action to ensure that our governing institutions are held accountable.
Restrictions on freedom of expression come in many forms including Criminal Code and Human Rights provisions limiting hate speech, municipal by-laws that regulate signage or where protests may take place, civil defamation (libel) actions, and restrictions placed on press freedoms. With more and more communication taking place online, government restrictions on access to the internet and the content and filtering policies of private companies also place limits on free expression.
We work to ensure that any limits are reasonable and strictly necessary.
CCLA’s 2025 Charter Challenge of Vaughan’s Anti-Protest Bylaw
On June 24, 2025, CCLA initiated a Charter litigation against the City of Vaughan’s anti-protest bylaw. This so-called “bubble zone” bylaw makes people liable for fines of up to $100,000 for having participated in a peaceful protest that some view as offensive or disruptive. This bylaw applies around hundreds of community gathering spaces. CCLA contends that this bylaw is an unjustified violation of freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association.
Since 2024, numerous Ontario municipalities have adopted similar bylaws—a troubling trend, as non-violent protest is integral to a vibrant and functioning democracy. History shows that, all too often, marginalized voices are the ones being silenced by such sweeping restrictions on freedom of expression.
Our Work Protecting Freedom of Expression
Ontario’s Bill 97 threatens government accountability and privacy
Ontario’s Bill 97 threatens government accountability and privacy
CCLA: Toronto Police Should Not Ban Protest from Public Streets
CCLA: Toronto Police Should Not Ban Protest from Public Streets
CCLA Deeply Concerned by Ontario’s Education Minister’s Memo Limiting Expressive Rights
CCLA Deeply Concerned by Ontario’s Education Minister’s Memo Limiting Expressive Rights
CCLA Reacts to the Premier Announcing that Ontario Is Seeking an Injunction to Stop the Annual Al Quds Rally
CCLA Reacts to the Premier Announcing that Ontario Is Seeking an Injunction to Stop the Annual Al Quds Rally
Bill C-9 Was Supposed to Fight Hate. Instead, It’s Being Rushed Through Parliament and Threatens the Rights of Every Canadian
Bill C-9 Was Supposed to Fight Hate. Instead, It’s Being Rushed Through Parliament and Threatens the Rights of Every Canadian
Bill 13: CCLA, LDL and 220 Groups Sound the Alarm about New Limits on Protests in Quebec
Bill 13: CCLA, LDL and 220 Groups Sound the Alarm about New Limits on Protests in Quebec
CCLA Raises Serious Concerns about Winnipeg’s Proposed Anti-Protest Bylaw
CCLA Raises Serious Concerns about Winnipeg’s Proposed Anti-Protest Bylaw
CCLA Files Submission on Quebec’s Bill 9
CCLA Files Submission on Quebec’s Bill 9
CCLA Files Submission on Quebec’s Bill 13
CCLA Files Submission on Quebec’s Bill 13
Quebec’s Bill 13: Yet Another Attack on Quebecers’ Democracy
Quebec’s Bill 13: Yet Another Attack on Quebecers’ Democracy
Quebec’s Bill 9 Is a Direct Attack on the Fundamental Freedoms of All Quebecers
Quebec’s Bill 9 Is a Direct Attack on the Fundamental Freedoms of All Quebecers
Quebec’s Bill 9 Masks Discrimination as Secularism
Quebec’s Bill 9 Masks Discrimination as Secularism
CCLA at the Supreme Court of Canada to Defend Freedom of Speech and Debate in Parliament
CCLA at the Supreme Court of Canada to Defend Freedom of Speech and Debate in Parliament
Adoption of Special Bill 2: A Dark Day for Fundamental Freedoms in Quebec
Adoption of Special Bill 2: A Dark Day for Fundamental Freedoms in Quebec
Civil Society Groups Demand Federal Government Rethink Bill C-9
Civil Society Groups Demand Federal Government Rethink Bill C-9
CCLA Releases New Guide on Protest Rights
CCLA Releases New Guide on Protest Rights
CCLA Doubles Down on its Criticism of Alberta’s Book Ban
CCLA Doubles Down on its Criticism of Alberta’s Book Ban
In Alberta Schools, Books Aren’t the Threat, Censorship Is
In Alberta Schools, Books Aren’t the Threat, Censorship Is
CCLA at the Ontario Court of Appeal in a Case about Investigative Journalism and Whistleblowers
CCLA at the Ontario Court of Appeal in a Case about Investigative Journalism and Whistleblowers
CCLA on Toronto’s Proposed Bubble Zone Bylaw
CCLA on Toronto’s Proposed Bubble Zone Bylaw
The Trouble With Toronto’s Proposed Bubble Zone Bylaw
The Trouble With Toronto’s Proposed Bubble Zone Bylaw
CCLA on The Advocates’ Society’s Recent Decision
CCLA on The Advocates’ Society’s Recent Decision
Bubble Zone Bylaws: CCLA Writes to Toronto City Council to Raise Charter Concerns
Bubble Zone Bylaws: CCLA Writes to Toronto City Council to Raise Charter Concerns
Online Harms: CCLA Testifies on Bill C-63 Before Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
Online Harms: CCLA Testifies on Bill C-63 Before Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
CCLA Welcomes Federal Justice Minister’s Decision to Split Bill C-63
CCLA Welcomes Federal Justice Minister’s Decision to Split Bill C-63
Right to Protest Peacefully: CCLA Urges the Brampton City Council to Fix the Proposed Bubble Zone By-Law
Right to Protest Peacefully: CCLA Urges the Brampton City Council to Fix the Proposed Bubble Zone By-Law
CCLA Testifies on Bill C-70 Before Senate Standing Committee National Security, Defence, and Veterans Affairs
CCLA Testifies on Bill C-70 Before Senate Standing Committee National Security, Defence, and Veterans Affairs
CCLA Calls on Universities to Ensure their Policies Respect Students’ Right to Peacefully Protest on Campus
CCLA Calls on Universities to Ensure their Policies Respect Students’ Right to Peacefully Protest on Campus
CCLA Files its Submission to the Toronto Police Service Board on the Upcoming Policy on Police Action in Respect of Protests
CCLA Files its Submission to the Toronto Police Service Board on the Upcoming Policy on Police Action in Respect of Protests
CCLA Reacts to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s Decision Ordering the Dismantlement of the Encampment Located on the University of Toronto’s Grounds
CCLA Reacts to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s Decision Ordering the Dismantlement of the Encampment Located on the University of Toronto’s Grounds
Universities Should Not Sue Their Students for Speaking Their Minds
Universities Should Not Sue Their Students for Speaking Their Minds
Foreign Interference Bill: CCLA Warns the Senate Committee about Charter Issues that Must Be Addressed
Foreign Interference Bill: CCLA Warns the Senate Committee about Charter Issues that Must Be Addressed
Free Speech and Protest Rights: CCLA to Universities and Police Services: You Must Walk the Talk
Free Speech and Protest Rights: CCLA to Universities and Police Services: You Must Walk the Talk
Civil Society Should be Granted Adequate Time to Meaningfully Engage in the Public Consultations Around the Foreign Interference Bill
Civil Society Should be Granted Adequate Time to Meaningfully Engage in the Public Consultations Around the Foreign Interference Bill
Free Speech and Protest Rights: CCLA Granted Leave to Intervene in the McGill University Injunction Proceeding
Free Speech and Protest Rights: CCLA Granted Leave to Intervene in the McGill University Injunction Proceeding
Free Speech and Protest Rights: CCLA Granted Leave to Intervene in the University of Toronto Injunction Proceeding
Free Speech and Protest Rights: CCLA Granted Leave to Intervene in the University of Toronto Injunction Proceeding
Free Speech and Protest Rights: CCLA Seeks Leave to Intervene in McGill University’s Injunction Proceedings against the Encampment on its Campus
Free Speech and Protest Rights: CCLA Seeks Leave to Intervene in McGill University’s Injunction Proceedings against the Encampment on its Campus
CCLA Reaction to the Introduction of Bill C-70
CCLA Reaction to the Introduction of Bill C-70
CCLA Calls for Investigation into Edmonton Police
CCLA Calls for Investigation into Edmonton Police
Student Protest Movement: CCLA Calls for an Investigation into Calgary Police’s Alleged Recent Conduct
Student Protest Movement: CCLA Calls for an Investigation into Calgary Police’s Alleged Recent Conduct
Know Your Rights: Universities Should Continue to Acknowledge the Rights of Students to Express Themselves and to Protest Peacefully
Know Your Rights: Universities Should Continue to Acknowledge the Rights of Students to Express Themselves and to Protest Peacefully
Online Harms Act (Bill C-63): CCLA Joins Civil Society Call to Separate Parts Two and Three from the Bill
Online Harms Act (Bill C-63): CCLA Joins Civil Society Call to Separate Parts Two and Three from the Bill
CCLA Calls on the Ontario Speaker to Lift His Ban on Keffiyehs
CCLA Calls on the Ontario Speaker to Lift His Ban on Keffiyehs
CCLA Urges Substantial Amendments to the Online Harms Act
CCLA Urges Substantial Amendments to the Online Harms Act
Emergencies Act FAQs
Emergencies Act FAQs
Emergency is Not in the Eye of the Beholder: Federal Court Grants Victory to CCLA in Emergencies Act Challenge
Emergency is Not in the Eye of the Beholder: Federal Court Grants Victory to CCLA in Emergencies Act Challenge
CBC News: Ottawa’s use of Emergencies Act against convoy protests was unreasonable, violated Charter, court rules
CBC News: Ottawa’s use of Emergencies Act against convoy protests was unreasonable, violated Charter, court rules
Freedom of Expression, the Right to Protest, and Academic Freedom in a Time of Crisis
Freedom of Expression, the Right to Protest, and Academic Freedom in a Time of Crisis
Litigation, Costs and Public Interest Groups – CCLA Intervening to Clarify the Law
Litigation, Costs and Public Interest Groups – CCLA Intervening to Clarify the Law
National Security and Parliament’s Role – CCLA Intervening in Ontario Case
National Security and Parliament’s Role – CCLA Intervening in Ontario Case
CCLA Reacts to Peterson Decision
CCLA Reacts to Peterson Decision
CCLA in Court to Address Regulatory Overreach and Defend Freedom of Expression
CCLA in Court to Address Regulatory Overreach and Defend Freedom of Expression
SLAPPs, Speech, and Standing Up for Equality
SLAPPs, Speech, and Standing Up for Equality
CCLA Fighting for Transparency and Openness before the Supreme Court
CCLA Fighting for Transparency and Openness before the Supreme Court
CCLA speaks out on guiding principles for Canada’s upcoming online safety proposal
CCLA speaks out on guiding principles for Canada’s upcoming online safety proposal
Read our op-ed inspired by Freedom to Read Week by Cara Zwibel, Director, Fundamental Freedoms Program
Read our op-ed inspired by Freedom to Read Week by Cara Zwibel, Director, Fundamental Freedoms Program
CCLA Intervening in Tik Tok Injunction Appeal to Protect Space for Digital Activism
CCLA Intervening in Tik Tok Injunction Appeal to Protect Space for Digital Activism
CCLA Intervening in Challenge to Sex Work Laws
CCLA Intervening in Challenge to Sex Work Laws
CCLA Intervening at Ontario Court of Appeal on Importance of Political Expression and the Right to Vote
CCLA Intervening at Ontario Court of Appeal on Importance of Political Expression and the Right to Vote
CCLA Moving Forward with Appeal of Nova Scotia Anti-Protest Injunction
CCLA Moving Forward with Appeal of Nova Scotia Anti-Protest Injunction
CCLA disappointed to see Ontario election ad restrictions upheld
CCLA disappointed to see Ontario election ad restrictions upheld
CCLA makes its case against Ontario’s third party advertising restrictions
CCLA makes its case against Ontario’s third party advertising restrictions
Offensive Comedy ≠ Discrimination
Offensive Comedy ≠ Discrimination
SCC on Freedom of Expression – Accentuating the Negative
SCC on Freedom of Expression – Accentuating the Negative
CCLA’s Submission on Canada’s Proposed Approach to Addressing Harmful Content Online
CCLA’s Submission on Canada’s Proposed Approach to Addressing Harmful Content Online
Five Things to Know About Canada’s Online Harms “Consultation”
Five Things to Know About Canada’s Online Harms “Consultation”
CCLA Seeks to Appeal Nova Scotia Anti-Protest Injunction
CCLA Seeks to Appeal Nova Scotia Anti-Protest Injunction
Nova Scotia Attempting to Avoid Public Scrutiny
Nova Scotia Attempting to Avoid Public Scrutiny
CCLA to Challenge Nova Scotia’s Protest Injunction
CCLA to Challenge Nova Scotia’s Protest Injunction
CCLA Taking Steps to Fight Nova Scotia’s Protest Injunction
CCLA Taking Steps to Fight Nova Scotia’s Protest Injunction
Internet Regulation and Freedom of Expression – CCLA Monitoring Bill C-10
Internet Regulation and Freedom of Expression – CCLA Monitoring Bill C-10
Submissions Before Ontario Standing Committee on The Legislative Assembly re: Bill 254
Submissions Before Ontario Standing Committee on The Legislative Assembly re: Bill 254
CCLA Before Supreme Court on Free Expression and Democracy
CCLA Before Supreme Court on Free Expression and Democracy
CCLA to NB Speaker: Don’t Interfere with Protests on Legislative Grounds
CCLA to NB Speaker: Don’t Interfere with Protests on Legislative Grounds
Regulating Social Media: Into the Unknown
Regulating Social Media: Into the Unknown
The Open Court Principle and the Importance of Public Access to IRB Hearings
The Open Court Principle and the Importance of Public Access to IRB Hearings
Playing With(out) Privacy
Playing With(out) Privacy
Social Media Smarts
Social Media Smarts
Alberta’s Bill 1: Suppression of Freedom of Expression
Alberta’s Bill 1: Suppression of Freedom of Expression
On Mandatory Masks
On Mandatory Masks
Privacy, Access to Information, and You: The COVID-19 Edition
Privacy, Access to Information, and You: The COVID-19 Edition
Government Censorship and Pandemic “Mis”Information
Government Censorship and Pandemic “Mis”Information
CCLA to Northwest Territories Chief Public Health Officer
CCLA to Northwest Territories Chief Public Health Officer
A G20 Victory Ten Years In The Making
A G20 Victory Ten Years In The Making
Physical Distancing Shouldn’t Preclude Public Dissent
Physical Distancing Shouldn’t Preclude Public Dissent
CCLA to Federal Attorney General and Federal Governor General
CCLA to Federal Attorney General and Federal Governor General
Misinformation: Is it Time For Social Media Distancing?
Misinformation: Is it Time For Social Media Distancing?
Can a Politician Block You on Twitter?
Can a Politician Block You on Twitter?
Breaking Down the “Digital Charter” – Part 1
Breaking Down the “Digital Charter” – Part 1
CCLA at the Supreme Court: Journalistic Source Protection
CCLA at the Supreme Court: Journalistic Source Protection
CCLA Voices Concern Over Several Measures In Budget Bill
CCLA Voices Concern Over Several Measures In Budget Bill
In the Fight for Free Speech, Where Does Facebook Fit?
In the Fight for Free Speech, Where Does Facebook Fit?
CCLA Letter to Ontario Government Regarding Carbon Tax Stickers
CCLA Letter to Ontario Government Regarding Carbon Tax Stickers
Carbon Tax “Notice” Requirement is Provincial Government Propaganda, Plain and Simple
Carbon Tax “Notice” Requirement is Provincial Government Propaganda, Plain and Simple
Letter to Quebec Minister of Justice Regarding Child Pornography Prosecution Against Author/Editor
Letter to Quebec Minister of Justice Regarding Child Pornography Prosecution Against Author/Editor
Young Voices, Youth Activism, and Social Change
Young Voices, Youth Activism, and Social Change
Student Walkouts: You’ve Got The Power, We’ve Got Your Back.
Student Walkouts: You’ve Got The Power, We’ve Got Your Back.
CCLA at The Supreme Court: When Can The Police Arrest You to ‘Protect’ You?
CCLA at The Supreme Court: When Can The Police Arrest You to ‘Protect’ You?
This Public Consultation on Sex Ed is Keeping a Lot Secret
This Public Consultation on Sex Ed is Keeping a Lot Secret
Money (That’s What They Want)
Money (That’s What They Want)
Dialing 911 On Hate Speech Against Women
Dialing 911 On Hate Speech Against Women
Governing by Mercenary
Governing by Mercenary
Vice Media Appeal Could Spell Bleak Friday For Press Freedom
Vice Media Appeal Could Spell Bleak Friday For Press Freedom
What The Vice Media Decision Might Mean For Press Freedome
What The Vice Media Decision Might Mean For Press Freedome
March For Our Education
March For Our Education
Thousands Protest Against G7 Summit by National Assembly in Quebec City
Thousands Protest Against G7 Summit by National Assembly in Quebec City
Victory For Free Speech In Supreme Court Decision: Groia
Victory For Free Speech In Supreme Court Decision: Groia
CCLA Follows Up On YorkU Strike
CCLA Follows Up On YorkU Strike
Supreme Court Case Upholds Order Against Google
Supreme Court Case Upholds Order Against Google
A Win for Online Privacy Rights at The Supreme Court: Douez V Facebook
A Win for Online Privacy Rights at The Supreme Court: Douez V Facebook
Vice Media Ruling Raises Serious Questions About Press Freedoms
Vice Media Ruling Raises Serious Questions About Press Freedoms
Canada Post Order Undermines Free Speech
Canada Post Order Undermines Free Speech
CCLA & CJFE Mounting Charter Challenge Against Bill C-51
CCLA & CJFE Mounting Charter Challenge Against Bill C-51
On to The Courts: Bill C-51 Passed by Senate
