Press Releases

CCLA is always speaking up to protect your civil liberties. 

Below is a list of our latest our Press Releases.  

Be sure to check back often, to stay up to date with the latest news about your civil liberties.

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CCLA Reacts to R v McColman Decision

March 27, 2023
OTTAWA — Shakir Rahim, Director of Criminal Justice for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA),…

CCLA Reacts to Working Families Decision

March 6, 2023
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), reacted to…

Press Release: Police-involved deaths on the rise across Canada

February 23, 2023
Publicly accessible living online database tracking police-involved deaths launched Database website: https://trackinginjustice.ca/ Ottawa, Ontario –…

CCLA Reaction to Public Order Emergency Commission

February 17, 2023
February 17, 2023 Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association…

CCLA Notches Legal Victory Against Government in Emergencies Act Case

February 14, 2023
February 14, 2023 Toronto, ON — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is announcing a…

CCLA Demands Release of Death in Custody Videotapes

January 31, 2023
MONTREAL — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is demanding the release of all video footage…

CCLA Closing Statement at Public Order Emergency Commission

November 25, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the…

CCLA reacts to Prime Minister Trudeau’s testimony at POEC

November 25, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the…

CCLA reacts to Minister Freeland’s testimony at POEC

November 24, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the…

CCLA reacts to Minister Lametti’s testimony at POEC

November 23, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA),…

CCLA reacts to Minister Mendicino’s testimony at POEC

November 22, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the…

CCLA Reacts to CSIS’ Testimony at POEC

November 21, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the…

Emergency is Not in the Eye of the Beholder

November 18, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA),…

Statement on the Repeal of Bill 28

November 14, 2022
TORONTO — Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, made…

Repeal of Bill 28 – Huge Victory for all Who Fought for Rights and Freedoms in Ontario

November 7, 2022
TORONTO — Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, Executive Director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, made the…

Statement on Federal Court decision re: Ontario Premier/Deputy Premier summons to appear before Public Order Emergency Commission

November 7, 2022
The Federal Court’s decision confirms that the Public Order Emergency Commission had the legal authority…

Statement on the Passage of Bill 28

November 3, 2022
TORONTO — Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, Executive Director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, made the…

Canadian Civil Liberties Association Press Conference on Premier Ford Use of Notwithstanding Clause Re: Bill 28

November 3, 2022
Watch this morning's press conference from Queens Park.

Statement on Notwithstanding Clause

October 31, 2022
OTTAWA — Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, Executive Director of the  Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the following…

Huge Victory Against Racial Profiling in Quebec Superior Court

October 26, 2022
MONTREAL — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (“CCLA”), as a party intervening in the case…

Statement on CCLA vs Nova Scotia (Attorney General)

October 26, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA),…

Statement on Ford Seeking Judicial Review

October 24, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the…

Premier Ford Must Testify

October 20, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the…

Statement on Public Order Emergency Commission Proceedings of October 17-18

October 18, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the…

Statement on Public Order Emergency Commission Proceedings of October 14

October 14, 2022
OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA),…

Rouleau Warns of Tight Timelines, But Government Took Maximum Amount of Time to Appoint Commissioner

October 13, 2022
OTTAWA — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) made its opening statement at the Public Order Emergency…

Government Had Other Options Than The Emergencies Act

October 12, 2022
OTTAWA — The Government of Canada had options other than the emergencies act, the Canadian…

CCLA at Supreme Court in Safe Third Countries Agreement Case

October 6, 2022
OTTAWA – The Supreme Court of Canada is hearing arguments today on the constitutionality of…

Groups: Canada must end “extreme”, prolonged solitary confinement

August 30, 2022
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association, John Howard Society Canada, the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry…

CCLA REACTS TO ACS-LÉGER STUDY ON EFFECTS OF BILL 21

August 10, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10, 2022 CCLA REACTS TO ACS-LÉGER STUDY ON EFFECTS OF BILL…

CCLA Calls for Moratorium on RCMP Surveillance ‘Tools’

August 9, 2022
Brenda McPhail, Director of Privacy Technology and Surveillance Program for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association,…

CCLA Appoints New Director, Equality Program

August 8, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  CCLA APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR, EQUALITY PROGRAM August 8, 2022 TORONTO — The Canadian…

CCLA Demands Immediate Repeal of Regulations Limiting Abortion Access in NB

July 28, 2022
In the wake of the US Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the CCLA…

La lutte contre le profilage racial se poursuit devant les tribunaux et dans les communautés

July 7, 2022
POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE LA LUTTE CONTRE LE PROFILAGE RACIAL SE POURSUIT DEVANT LES TRIBUNAUX ET…

Statement on the RCMP’s Use of Spyware

June 30, 2022
The RCMP uses spyware against Canadians in targeted investigations. The revelation was buried in a…

CCLA Reacts to Decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization

June 24, 2022
Today's ruling from the Supreme Court of the United States is an appalling step back…

Canadian Civil Liberties Association launches constitutional challenge to Ontario’s strip search law

June 20, 2022
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and a woman with personal experience have launched a major…

Remarques à l’occasion de l’anniversaire d’une hypocrisie – la loi 21

June 16, 2022
CIVIL LIBERTIES GROUPS SEEK LEAVE TO APPEAL BILL 21 DECISION NCCM & CCLA file an…

Black Legal Action Centre & Canadian Civil Liberties Association React to TPS Report

June 15, 2022
Today, the Prison Pandemic Papers were launched online, making available previously unpublished government records.

CCLA Reacts to Former Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly’s Comments on Invocation of the Emergencies Act

June 3, 2022
Abby Deshman, Director of the Criminal Justice program for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, made…

Canadian Civil Liberties Hosting Rights Roadshow in Charlottetown

June 1, 2022
For nearly 30 years, CCLET (the education brand of CCLA) has been teaching learners of…

Trial Begins in Major Constitutional Challenge Targeting Racial Profiling

May 30, 2022
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is joining with a diverse group of civil society…

CCLA Response to Federal Government Announcement of Emergencies Act Inquiry

April 25, 2022
Abby Deshman, Director of the Criminal Justice program for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, made…

Civil Society Calling for Robust Inquiry Into Use of Emergencies Act

April 13, 2022
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is joining with a diverse group of civil society…

CCLA Appoints New Special Advisor, Indigenous Issues

April 5, 2022
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has appointed Alain Bartleman as its Special Advisor, Indigenous Issues.

Prison Pandemic Papers Documenting Impact of COVID-19 in Jails, Prisons & Penitentiaries Across Canada Launched

March 8, 2022
Today, the Prison Pandemic Papers were launched online, making available previously unpublished government records.

CCLA Reaction to the Revocation of the Declaration of Emergency

February 23, 2022
We welcome the government’s decision to revoke the proclamation of emergency – it is overdue.…

Quebec Organizations Join the Call for Federal Criminal Record Reform

February 22, 2022
The Fresh Start Coalition, which includes the CCLA, announced today that several leading Quebec organisations…

CCLA Reaction to Vote in the House

February 22, 2022
Abby Deshman, Director of Criminal Justice for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association made the following…

CCLA Will Fight Invocation of Emergencies Act in Court

February 17, 2022
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) announced today that it will pursue litigation to challenge…

CCLA Statement on the Emergencies Act

February 15, 2022
The Emergencies Act can only be invoked, according to its own terms, when a situation…

CCLA Appoints New Executive Director and General Counsel

February 9, 2022
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) announced today the appointment of its new Executive Director…

CCLA’s Statement on Quebec’s Tax Proposal

January 12, 2022
Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms and acting General Counsel for the Canadian Civil Liberties…

Residents of BC, AB, QC protected from Clearview AI by binding orders from their Privacy Regulators

December 14, 2021
CCLA welcomes today’s decisions issued by the BC Information and Privacy Commissioner and the Alberta…

Youth in detention deserve better education: CCLA Research Report

November 30, 2021
CCLA’s report concludes that there are significant differences in the quality and quantity of formal…

CCLA is thrilled to announce The Law Foundation of Ontario has awarded CCLET core funding through its Catalyst Grant

October 28, 2021
CCLA and CCLET are incredibly grateful to The Law Foundation of Ontario for generously supporting our…

CCLA Calls on Elections Ontario to Disclose All MPP Complaints

October 25, 2021
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is calling on Elections Ontario to disclose how many…

Gratitude and Congratulations to Michael Bryant

September 14, 2021
The CCLA announced today that Michael Bryant, its Executive Director since 2018, will be leaving…

Ontario Government Agrees to Human Rights Groups’ Demands to End Police Access to COVID Database

June 28, 2021

Nova Scotia Attempting to Avoid Public Scrutiny

June 24, 2021
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is concerned the Government of Nova Scotia is attempting…

‘Cease And Desist’ – Liberal Party Must Halt Use Of Facial Fingerprinting

June 23, 2021
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is calling on the Liberal Party of Canada to…

CCLA Statement on Ford’s Extraordinary Use of the Notwithstanding Clause

June 9, 2021
The notwithstanding clause was designed to be a democratic safety valve, not a brazen power…

Ontario Superior Court Strikes Down Third Party Spending Limits

June 8, 2021
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is celebrating another decisive win in Ontario Superior Court.…

CCLA Wins First Round of Abortion Challenge In New Brunswick

June 1, 2021
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has begun the process of taking New Brunswick to court…

CCLA to Challenge Nova Scotia’s Protest Injunction

May 28, 2021
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) will challenge the Government of Nova Scotia’s exceptionally broad injunction limiting…

CCLA Taking Steps to Fight Nova Scotia’s Protest Injunction

May 18, 2021
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is taking steps to fight an injunction obtained by…

CCLA Files For Public Interest Standing In New Brunswick Abortion Lawsuit

May 17, 2021
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has begun the process of taking New Brunswick to court…

Premier Legault—It’s Time To Drop The Curfew

March 23, 2021
The CCLA is speaking out against Premier Legault’s unjust Quebec curfew.

City breached agreement to protect homeless

September 29, 2020
The City of Toronto is putting the lives of those experiencing homelessness as well as…

Class Action Launched re Illegal Strip Searches

July 7, 2020
A major class action is being launched today on behalf of Canadians illegally strip searched…

Homelessness Advocates Take City Back to Court over COVID-19 Shelter Crisis

July 6, 2020
Homelessness advocates are taking the City of Toronto back to court, to enforce the City’s…

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Appeal by Government against CCLA’s Challenge of Solitary Confinement Laws

February 13, 2020
Today, the Supreme Court of Canada issued its decision granting the government of Canada leave…

Seeking to Appeal Interim Decision on Bill 21

July 23, 2019
CIVIL LIBERTIES GROUPS SEEK LEAVE TO APPEAL BILL 21 DECISION NCCM & CCLA file an…

End to Solitary Confinement as We Know It

March 28, 2019
In an extraordinary decision, the Ontario Court of Appeal has ordered an end to prolonged…

CCLA Wins Important Battle Against Feds On Solitary Confinement

December 17, 2018
The feds were scolded today by the Chief Justice of Ontario and its highest court,…

Rights groups challenging solitary confinement in court release joint statement on Bill C-83

October 16, 2018
Today the three organizations fighting the federal government in BC and Ontario courts on solitary…

UPDATE: CCLA and ETFO Sex-Ed Legal Challenges to be Heard Together

September 24, 2018
The Divisional Court determined the other week that the applications of the Canadian Civil Liberties…

CCLA, INCLO and Others Welcome Historic Win Against Mass Surveillance in UK

September 14, 2018
In a landmark win for seven INCLO members, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)…

CCLA Joins Coalition Calling For Ontario Government To Reinstate 2015 Sex-Ed Curriculum

July 17, 2018
March for Our Education, Leadnow and the undersigned are unswayed by the Minister of Education’s…

Premier Ford’s Back-To-Work Legislation Will Violate Civil Liberties, Hurt Students

July 16, 2018
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario have joined with striking…

INCLO Report Release: Defending Dissent: State Practices that Protect and Promote the Right to Protest

June 27, 2018
INCLO and the IHRC launched a report today that provides practical guidance on how law enforcement…

INCLO Launches New Report: “Unanswered Questions – International Intelligence Sharing”

June 11, 2018
New report reveals lack of transparency of intelligence sharing agreements at the international level.

Keep Your Promise On Solitary Confinement, Groups Tell Ottawa

May 14, 2018
Rights groups in legal challenges unite to urge government to comply with court orders.

Bill 62 (Niqab Ban) Guidelines Cannot Save An Unconstitutional…

May 11, 2018
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) will challenge the Government of Nova Scotia’s exceptionally broad injunction limiting…

CCLA Recommendations on York U Strike

March 29, 2018
March 29, 2018 (Toronto, ON) – After exchanges this week between York U’s President and…

Legal Fight Against Solitary Confinement Continues

January 17, 2018
On December 18, 2017, Associate Chief Justice Frank Marrocco of the Ontario Superior Court released…

Inclo Report Release: Gaining Ground: A Framework for Developing Strategies and Tactics in Response to Governmental Attacks on NGOs

January 4, 2018

Crack-Down on Freedom of Expression in Russia Threatens Online Anonymity

December 19, 2017
19 December 2017 – Russia’s punishment of instant messaging app Telegram Messenger LLP for refusing…

Court Strikes Down Solitary Confinement Regime in Response to CCLA’s Challenge

December 18, 2017
TORONTO, Ont. – In a victory for civil liberties, Associate Chief Justice Frank Marrocco of…

A Win for Privacy in Text Messages: Marakah and Jones

December 8, 2017
CCLA’s voice was heard in the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision released today in R…

CCLA at Supreme Court in Trinity Western Case – Hearing This Week

November 29, 2017
TORONTO, Ont. – This week- on November 30th and December 1st – the Canadian Civil…

CCLA and NCCM Launch Legal Challenge Against Quebec’s Bill 62

November 7, 2017
(Montreal – November 7, 2017) – The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and the National…

CCLA Announcement: Coalition Calls for Implementation of Loku Inquest Recommendations

October 3, 2017
The tragic shooting death of Andrew Loku should never have occurred. It took place within…

How Religious Teachings in Public Schools Violates Human Rights: Joint Presentation Before Argentina’s Supreme Court

August 30, 2017
On Wednesday, August 30, the Argentine Supreme Court held a public hearing on the constitutionality…

Supreme Court Case Upholds Order Against Google

June 28, 2017
TORONTO, Ont. ̶ Today’s Supreme Court of Canada decision against Google permits Canadian courts to…

Privacy protectors: Teens Reflect on Privacy in Digital Age

March 22, 2017
A group of teens aged 13-19 from across Canada worked over two school years to…

Déclaration de l’ACLC concernant l’incidence du décret pris par les Étas-Unis le 27 janvier

January 31, 2017

Federal Court Case Challenges Government’s Respect for Charter of Rights and Freedoms

September 30, 2015
Ottawa, ON – Last week, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) intervened in the Federal…

CCLA & CJFE Mounting Charter Challenge Against Bill C-51

July 21, 2015
TORONTO (July 21, 2015) — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and Canadian Journalists for…

La Loi C-51 Est Adoptée Mais De Sérieuses Préoccupations En Matière De Droits Humains Persistent

June 29, 2015
Depuis le dépôt du Projet de loi C-51 au Parlement en janvier dernier, les principales…

On to The Courts: Bill C-51 Passed by Senate

June 9, 2015
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is deeply disappointed that Bill C-51 (Anti-Terrorist Act, 2015)…

Government must end solitary confinement of mentally ill prisoners.

March 10, 2010
PRESS RELEASE: Canadian prisons need to drastically re-evaluate their use of solitary confinement, especially where…