A recent Ontario court decision recognizing homelessness as an analogous ground of discrimination under the Charter has sparked debate about the role of the courts in advancing equality rights. In this article, Harini Sivalingam argues that the ruling is not an example of judicial activism, but rather a reflection of the Charter‘s purpose: protecting those who face systemic disadvantage and exclusion. Recognizing the realities faced by unhoused people is an essential step toward ensuring that constitutional equality rights extend to those who need them most. The link to the article can be found here. ccla.org/equality/op-ed-reco…

On Wednesday, the federal government introduced Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, with the stated goal of making the online activities of Canadians safer. The bill raises significant civil liberties concerns, including through the limitless powers it grants the government and a new digital safety regulator. Read more here. ccla.org/press-release/ccla-…

CCLA has filed its intervention factum in Saskatchewan v. UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity – the first Supreme Court of Canada case to directly address anti-trans legislation in Canada’s history. Read more here. ccla.org/equality/ccla-inter…

Open-ended obligations, sweeping regulatory powers and a looming social media ban for children under 16 in Bill C-34, the Social Media Safety Act, threaten civil liberties. Read more: ccla.org/press-release/ccla-…

CCLA will be intervening in the case of Irvine et al v University of British Columbia to support that universities remain spaces where critical thinking, respect for diverse perspectives, and robust public debate can continue to flourish. ccla.org/press-release/ccla-…

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. ccla.org/press-release/ccla-…

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!

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. ccla.org/press-release/ccla-…

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

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.

CCLA at Supreme Court to Ensure Restraint in Use of Police Powers 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: tinyurl.com/2sbc5r4n 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.

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.

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

Our Director of Equality, Harini Sivalingam, recently published this op-ed in Law360 Canada on why the Ontario government's proposal to grant transit special constables expanded law enforcement powers represents a significant expansion of coercive state power into public transit systems. Check it out here. law360.ca/ca/articles/247497…

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

On April 22, 2026, Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program, testified on Bill C-14 restricting bail before the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. You can watch his testimony below. The CCLA’s brief can be read here: tinyurl.com/3439atmc.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association congratulates Justice Louise Arbour on her appointment as Canada’s next Governor-General! CCLA is grateful for Justice Arbour’s substantial contributions to our work for justice and rights for all people in Canada as a past Board member, Vice-President and most recently, a member of our National Council. Before her appointment to the bench, Justice Arbour represented CCLA in public interest litigation cases and was an outspoken advocate for civil liberties. Louise Arbour has made significant contributions to global justice in her role as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and as Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, setting historic precedents by prosecuting sexual assault as a crime against humanity and indicting a sitting head of state. Her contributions in Canada are equally noteworthy, as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada and in her more recent role conducting the independent review of the Canadian military’s handling of harassment and sexual assault. Throughout her long and storied legal career, Louise Arbour’s commitment to seeking justice with determination and integrity has been remarkable. All of us at CCLA celebrate this appointment as a reflection of Louise Arbour’s consequential contributions to Canadian and global justice at a time when the world needs more of both. Dr. Simron Singh Chair of the Board of Directors, Canadian Civil Liberties Association Photo from 1984 showing Louise Arbour with long-time CCLA leader Alan Borovoy. Photo Credit: Canadian Press/Fred Chartrand

CCLA expressed profound disappointment and alarm following the Ontario government’s decision to proceed with regulations granting transit enforcement agents sweeping police-equivalent powers — including the authority to arrest, detain, demand identification, and destroy property — in transit spaces that millions of Ontarians depend on every day. ccla.org/press-release/ccla-…

CCLA expressed profound disappointment and alarm following the Ontario government’s decision to proceed with regulations granting transit enforcement agents sweeping police-equivalent powers — including the authority to arrest, detain, demand identification, and destroy property — in transit spaces that millions of Ontarians depend on every day. Read more here. ccla.org/press-release/ccla-…

Today, on the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirt, trans and gender diverse people (MMIWG2S), the Canadian Civil Liberties Association joins in remembrance of those who have been lost, and in solidarity with the families, survivors, and communities who continue to seek justice. The ongoing crisis of MMIWG2S is a profound human rights issue. It reflects systemic failures—rooted in colonialism, racism, and discrimination—that have left Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, trans and gender diverse people at heightened risk of violence and denied equal protection under the law. We echo the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry and urge governments and institutions to take immediate, concrete, and rights-respecting action grounded in accountability, equality, and respect for Indigenous rights. Today, and every day, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing challenging injustice and working toward a future where Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, trans and gender diverse people can live in safety and dignity.