Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms

08/20/2026

Exclusive: George Katerberg’s billboard is back!

When the Ontario government forced Mr. Katerberg to take down his political billboard along Highway 17 near Thessalon, Ontario, criticizing the government’s response to Covid, lawyers funded by the Justice Centre helped him fight back. In July, the Ontario Divisional Court ruled that the government violated Mr. Katerberg’s freedom of expression protected by section 2(b) of the Charter.

Following his court victory, Mr. Katerberg’s billboard is standing once again. Mr. Katerberg said, “I had a great morning putting the sign back up. Thank you again for everything the Justice Centre has done for me. I’m certain this billboard would not be standing again without your support.”

Victories like this are possible because of supporters like you. Your donations allow us to fund lawyers who defend the Charter rights and freedoms of Canadians across the country. Consider making a donation today: https://jccf.kindful.com/

Read more about Mr. Katerberg's victory here:
https://www.jccf.ca/major-victory-for-free-expression-as-court-strikes-down-ontario-ministry-of-transportations-political-billboard-ban/

08/17/2026

The Justice Centre announces that lawyers will appear before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Goderich on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, on behalf of North Huron residents Stephen Hill and Bradley Carther.

The case arose after a Township of North Huron bylaw prohibiting members of the public from recording council meetings formed the basis for an initial trespass notice issued to Mr. Hill and Mr. Carther. After they breached that notice, the Township issued six-month trespass notices preventing them from entering the Township office, including council chambers. Lawyers funded by the Justice Centre are now challenging both the trespass notices and the since-repealed recording prohibition on which the initial notice was based.

Constitutional lawyer Darren Leung said, “A municipality should not be able to use trespass powers to keep citizens out of council chambers for exercising their constitutional right to record public proceedings.”

Read the full story here: https://www.jccf.ca/court-to-hear-charter-challenge-over-north-huron-trespass-notices/

08/14/2026

John Carpay breaks down an important Charter victory in Quebec—and a court ruling holding a government minister personally accountable for violating fundamental freedoms.

Victories like this are made possible by Justice Centre supporters like you.

To learn more about this case, visit: https://jccf.ca/court-rules-quebec-government-violated-charter-by-cancelling-christian-conference-over-organizers-beliefs/

To make a tax-deductible donation in support of our work, visit: https://jccf.kindful.com

08/14/2026

John Carpay breaks down an important Charter victory in Quebec—and a court ruling holding a government minister personally accountable for violating fundamental freedoms.

Victories like this are made possible by Justice Centre supporters like you.

To learn more about this case, visit: https://www.jccf.ca/court-rules-quebec-government-violated-charter-by-cancelling-christian-conference-over-organizers-beliefs/

To make a tax-deductible donation in support of our work, visit: https://jccf.kindful.com/

08/14/2026

John Carpay sits down with Nigel Hannaford of the Western Standard to discuss the growing practice of police responding to so-called “non-crime hate incidents” — speech that may offend or upset others but does not violate the Criminal Code. John explains why Canadians should understand the difference between criminal hate speech and controversial or offensive expression, and why expanding police involvement into non-criminal speech risks creating a powerful chilling effect on public debate.

From Edmonton’s non-crime hate reports to human-rights cases over r...

08/13/2026

Put your ideas to the test.

The 2026 Brandon Langhjelm Memorial Essay Contest challenges Canadians aged 15–25 to tackle one of two important public policy questions:

• Should governments have the right to restrict minors' access to social media?
• Should governments be permitted to access or regulate private interactions with AI programs such as ChatGPT?

The strongest essays do more than express an opinion. They engage with important ideas and thinkers, critically assess competing perspectives, and finish with practical, well-reasoned policy proposals.

$6,000 in total prizes ($3,000 first prize)
1,200–1,500 words

Deadline: Sunday, September 27, 2026, 11:59 p.m. MT.

Learn more and submit your essay: https://jccf.ca/essay-contest/

https://scholarshipscanada.com/Discover/Article/1/7609/You-Could-Win-$3,000-in-Canada-s-Brandon-Langhjelm-Essay-Contest

08/12/2026

Did Canadians ever actually consent to Pierre Trudeau’s 1982 Constitution? That’s the provocative question behind A Nation of People, a new Western Standard series hosted by Natalie St. Hilaire and Randy Royer examining how the Constitution transformed Canada without ever being put to Canadians in a national vote. The series connects that history to some very current questions: Why were private property rights left out of the Charter? How has section 35’s protection of Aboriginal and treaty rights reshaped Canada? And what does that mean today as B.C. wrestles with Aboriginal title claims and growing concerns about the security of private property?
Whatever your perspective, it’s a fascinating discussion about who wrote the rules governing modern Canada, how those rules have evolved through the courts, and whether Canadians ever truly consented to them.

In this episode of A Nation of People, Natalie St. Hilaire and Rand...

08/11/2026

John Carpay sits down with Paul Arthur on to discuss the growing threats to privacy in Canada and what Canadians can do to push back against expanding government surveillance.

It seems that the right to privacy and freedom to speak freely with...

08/11/2026

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08/10/2026

The Justice Centre announces that lawyers have filed a Statement of Claim on behalf of Burn 24/7 Canada Worship Ministries Society (the Society) against the City of Moncton (City), arguing that the City violated the Society’s freedom of expression by cancelling a public Christian worship event just two days before it was scheduled to take place.

According to the court filing, the City approved the Society’s application on April 30, 2025. Over the following months, organizers continued working with City staff on logistical arrangements, including site planning, insurance, washroom facilities, water access, and scheduling. The Society says it complied with every request made by the City.

However, on July 22, 2025, the City abruptly cancelled the event, citing its Code of Conduct in City Facilities and concerns about public safety arising from planned protests. Constitutional lawyer Chris Fleury said, “This case concerns a basic constitutional principle: governments cannot suppress peaceful expression simply because others threaten to protest it.”

Read the full story here: https://www.jccf.ca/christian-ministry-sues-city-of-moncton-over-cancelled-worship-event/