Congratulations to the 2021-2022 Chernos winners for their ability to think critically about challenging dilemmas in a democratic society and balance competing interests compellingly!

Each year, to help educate students on the importance of civil liberties, the Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust (CCLET) holds a high school essay competition in honour of the late Bernard Chernos, a civil libertarian, lawyer, and lover of lively debate. We asked students across Canada to answer one of three questions dealing with a conflict of Charter rights and freedoms for a chance to win $500 and a copy of a book written by CCLA General Counsel Emeritus, the late A. Alan Borovoy.

Click below to read or view the top five entries!

1st place: Esther Thomas from Toronto, Ontario

“Good Character” requirement – Essay

2nd place: Emma Lo from Richmond, British Columbia

Protests and COVID-19 restrictions – Essay

3rd place: Trudeau Gulati from Paris, Ontario

“Good Character” requirement – Video rant

4th place: Lyra Chu from Vancouver, British Columbia

Mandatory vaccination/passports – Essay

5th place: Rudolph Heath from Toronto, Ontario

Protests and COVID-19 restrictions – Video rant

About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association

The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.

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