OTTAWA — Cara Zwibel, Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the following remarks today:
We are very pleased with today’s decision from the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.
Canadians’ right to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly should never be curtailed lightly.
Today, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal agreed that the Government’s exceptionally broad injunction went too far. It subjected every single person in Nova Scotia to unreasonable restrictions on fundamental rights in the absence of evidence that this was necessary or proportional.
This should be a strong signal to governments and courts across Canada that the Charter cannot be ignored when responding to urgent public policy issues.
The decision also reminds governments and lower courts that transparency and justification are required any time there is infringement of our fundamental freedoms.
The CCLA is grateful to Nasha Nijhawan of Nijhawan McMillan Barristers and Benjamin Perryman for their excellent pro bono representation in this matter.
Link to court case here.
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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.
Media Contact:
media@ccla.org
David Valentin – 514.913.5524
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.
For the Media
For further comments, please contact us at media@ccla.org.
