This is a Special Project managed by PBSC National.
Name of Organization: Canadian Civil Liberties Association
Website of Organization: www.ccla.org
Organization’s Mandate: CCLA is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization that fights for the civil liberties, human rights, and democratic freedoms of all people across Canada. We are an independent, national, non-governmental organization, working in the courts, before legislative committees, in classrooms and in the streets, protecting the rights and freedoms cherished by Canadians and entrenched in our Constitution.
Project Name: Research Projects
Project Type: Research (memoranda used for internal purposes only)
Project Delivery: Remote
Description of Project: Legal research in support of CCLA’s litigation, advocacy and public engagement work to protect and promote fundamental rights.
Program Areas:
1. Criminal Justice stream (4 students)
We monitor the legal and policy frameworks that govern policing, the criminal justice process, and our prisons and jails to ensure that our civil liberties and the rights enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are respected.
2. Privacy stream (1 student)
CCLA seeks to bring a principled and rights-focused approach to assessing and advocating around the impacts of new technology and surveillance wherever rights are at risk.
3. Fundamental Freedoms stream (2 students)
Fundamental Freedoms allow individuals and groups to express themselves, to believe and practice what they choose, and to exercise their right to vote. Research areas include the freedoms of expression, religion, association, to protest, of the press, and democratic and mobility rights.
4. Equality stream (2 students)
CCLA’s Equality Program is dedicated to supporting, standing with, and fighting for the rights of individuals and groups who face discrimination, and in particular those who are most marginalized, many of whom experience intersecting forms of discrimination, whose right to full equality has not been realized
Role of Student Volunteers: Students will be asked to conduct legal research and prepare memoranda on various topics by the CCLA’s Program Directors. This may include case briefs, reviews of draft or proposed legislation, policy reviews and research memoranda on fundamental freedoms, police powers, national security, privacy, criminal law reform, and equality. Students may periodically be asked to conduct social science research as well, used to inform CCLA’s advocacy and education work.
Role of Supervising Lawyer(s): The supervising lawyer will be available to meet with students and provide feedback as needed. Program Directors will also review and approve all deliverables produced by the Student Volunteers prior to use by the CCLA.
Type of Law: Constitutional law, public law, administrative law, criminal law, human rights law.
Main Project Deliverable: Creating produced content (e.g. research memos, brochures, podcasts, etc.)
Number of Student Placements: 1 student
Hours per week the student volunteer(s) will be expected to work: 5 hours/week
Regular shifts or a flexible schedule: The Program Director supervisors will work with students to determine either regular shifts or to allow for flexible work. Generally, flexibility should be possible.
Is there a workspace provided for the student at the Organization: While many students will be working remotely (out of town) those who are located in Toronto can work in our office and will be provided with workspace.
Devices and technologies the students will be required to have:
Computer, internet access, telephone, Zoom or Teams
Is there an expectation for the student(s) to be bilingual: No, although French fluency is an asset.
Law School Pre-Requisites: CCLA is looking for upper year students who have completed a course on constitutional/public law, and who have expressed an interest in CCLA and/or civil liberties/human rights work.
Other Requirements or Expectations: N/A