Canadian Civil Liberties Association

06/04/2026

CCLA joins other members of the National Employment Equity Council in calling on the Government of Canada to strengthen the newly established Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion by ensuring meaningful Black representation and explicitly recognizing anti-Black racism within its mandate.

Read more here.
https://ccla.org/press-release/ccla-endorses-calls-for-black-representation-and-explicit-recognition-of-anti-black-racism-on-new-advisory-council

06/02/2026

June is the start of Pride season across Canada! The CCLA celebrates the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across Canada whose legacy of activism, courage, and resilience has shaped what equality looks like in this country. Progress is visible not only in our legal and cultural landscape, but in the lives of millions of Canadians who live more freely today than a generation ago. Despite this progress, there is still much work that lies ahead, and the CCLA remains steadfastly committed to that fight. Happy Pride Month to all!

05/25/2026

CCLA welcomes the Ontario Superior Court of Justice landmark decision affirming that unhoused people are entitled to full constitutional protection under the Charter and that governments must apply a human rights-based approach in responding to homeless encampments.

While federal political parties resist any form of privacy protection, a new poll finds Canadians do not trust them to protect their data.

05/25/2026

Each year, the Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust (CCLET) presents a nation-wide high school essay/video contest to commemorate the work of Bernard Chernos, a dedicated civil libertarian, lawyer and lover of lively debate. The Bernard Chernos Contest makes a great ready-made assignment for a wide range of social studies courses, and winners will receive cash prizes of up to $750!

A link to submit entries, and more information about the contest, can be found here: https://cclet.org/contests.

The deadline to enter is May 25nd, 2026 @ 11:59PM EST – we look forward to receiving your entries!

05/21/2026

Yesterday, Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, Director of our Fundamental Freedoms program, testified on Bill C-9 before the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights. The CCLA explained that some of the new criminal offenses introduced through Bill C-9 could criminalize peaceful protesters, stifle dissent, and disproportionately target the very communities the bill claims to protect.

05/20/2026

We hope you will join us for this panel featuring CCLA's Fundamental Freedoms Program Director, Anaïs Bussières McNicoll!

05/20/2026

The CCLA will appear before the Supreme Court of Canada today in R. v. Walker. This appeal is about the powers that police can use under the Criminal Code when enforcing a provincial or municipal law. Provincial and municipal laws regulate a range of day-to-day life, from legislation concerning driving rules to street vendor licencing. Those laws have a range of mechanisms for police to enforce them, from a small fine up to an arrest.

The CCLA will make two submissions to the Court:

First, police must rely on the enforcement mechanisms provided by non-criminal legislation. If a provincial or municipal law does not allow a police officer to arrest a person for a violation, the officer cannot arrest them for the federal criminal offence of obstructing a peace officer. The police may only rely on what the provincial or municipal law sets out as the way to enforce it.

Second, only where a person in fact obstructs the police in exercising a lawful enforcement power under a municipal or provincial law, is an arrest possible. For example, if a person refuses to provide basic information necessary to issue them a fine or ticket. However, even in those circumstances, the police should exercise their discretion to make an arrest with restraint.

You can read CCLA’s factum here:https://www.scc-csc.ca/pdf/case-documents/41703/FM060_Intervener_Canadian-Civil-Liberties_Association.pdf

The CCLA is grateful to Erin Dann and Paul Socka of Embry Dann LLP for their excellent pro bono representation, and Catherine Ouellet of Gowling WLG for their pro bono agent services.

05/17/2026

May 17th marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. Now in its 22nd year, this day represents global mobilization for the rights and dignity of 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

This past year has brought real hardship. Misinformation, fear-mongering, and coordinated campaigns targeting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities have become normalized. The law has increasingly been used as a tool of erasure, particularly against Trans youth. This hostility demands a clear response.

Our response is, and will always be, solidarity.

Rights, once won, are not guaranteed, and protecting them requires our collective effort. On this May 17th, the CCLA reaffirms our commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of these communities, together.

05/15/2026

Each year, the Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust (CCLET) presents a nation-wide high school essay/video contest to commemorate the work of Bernard Chernos, a dedicated civil libertarian, lawyer and lover of lively debate. The Bernard Chernos Contest makes a great ready-made assignment for a wide range of social studies courses, and winners will receive cash prizes of up to $750!

A link to submit entries, and more information about the contest, can be found here: https://cclet.org/contests.

The deadline to enter is May 22nd, 2026 @ 11:59PM EST – we look forward to receiving your entries!

05/14/2026

PROJET DE LOI 1 I La première ministre Christine Fréchette veut adopter le projet de constitution d’ici le 12 juin. Il est urgent de faire barrage.
📣 PASSONS À L’ACTION !
➡ https://win.newmode.net/lettre-deputes-pl1