The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Criminal Lawyers’ Association will launch an urgent constitutional challenge next week against the introduction of mandatory cash bail by the province on August 17. Cash bail creates two tiers of justice: one for the rich, and the other for the rest of us. Innocent, but cannot afford to pay? You […]
News
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CLA and CCLA to Challenge Unconstitutional Cash Bail in Ontario
Posted by John Chagnon in News on August 14, 2026
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2026 G. Arthur Martin Award Winner, Justice David M. Paciocco
Toronto, ON, August 6, 2026 – The Criminal Lawyers’ Association (CLA) has awarded the prestigious G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal to the Honourable David M. Paciocco. The award will be presented Saturday, November 21, 2026, 1 to 3 p.m. at a special luncheon ceremony. David Paciocco’s contributions to criminal law as an author, scholar, […]
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The Criminal Lawyers’ Association is deeply saddened by the passing of Marlys Edwardh, one of Canada’s most accomplished criminal defence and civil liberties lawyers.
Marlys Edwardh — March 6, 1950 – July 14, 2026 Marlys was a fearless advocate for justice whose extraordinary career helped shape Canadian criminal and constitutional law. As one of the first women to practise criminal defence in Canada, she broke barriers in a profession where few women had gone before, opening doors for generations […]
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CLA’s submissions on Bill 119
Members of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association’s (CLA) Legislation committee provided written submissions to the provincial Standing Committee on Justice Policy with respect to Bill 119, “Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act”. The CLA is deeply concerned that the creation of a public website containing the personal information of people charged with criminal offences undermines the presumption […]
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On June 12, 2026, Cassandra Richards, Co-chair of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association Legislation (CLA) Committee, appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs‘ study of Bill C-16
On June 12, 2026, Cassandra Richards, Co-chair of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association Legislation (CLA) Committee, appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs‘ study of Bill C-16, Protecting Victims Act on behalf of the CLA. You can watch the CLA’s submissions here: https://senparlvu.parl.gc.ca/harmony/en/powerbrowser/powerbrowserv2?fk=700881&globalstreamid=3 First, the CLA urged the Committee to reconsider the […]
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On April 15, Cassandra Richards, Co-chair of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association Legislation (CLA) Committee, appeared before the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Standing Committee on Justice Police regarding Bill 75, Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act
On April 15, Cassandra Richards, Co-chair of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association Legislation (CLA) Committee, appeared before the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Standing Committee on Justice Police regarding Bill 75, Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act on behalf of the CLA. Our submissions focused on a central feature of the bill: the proposed cash bail provision. This would require an accused or surety to […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on April 20, 2026
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On April 16, Cassandra Richards, Co-chair of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association Legislation (CLA) Committee, appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs’ study of Bill C-14
On April 16, 2026, Cassandra Richards, Co-chair of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association Legislation (CLA) Committee, appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs‘ study of Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act on behalf of the CLA. You can watch the CLA’s submissions here. The CLA made three key recommendations to the Committee: While the CLA […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on April 17, 2026
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Important Changes at the Law Society of Ontario – Effective March 31, 2026
Contingency Plans: Licensees will be required to have a written contingency plan in place in the event they unexpectedly stop practicing, whether temporarily or permanently. The minimum components of a contingency plan are listed in by-law 7-1 and include the appointment of one or more licensees as administrator(s) to take all steps necessary to preserve […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on March 24, 2026
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CLA LinkedIn Launch
The Criminal Lawyers’ Association is happy to let you know it has (finally) established a presence on LinkedIn! We’re using our new page to amplify CLA’s advocacy on key issues affecting criminal law and Canada’s justice system. We’ll also share information about professional development, events, and highlight the work and contributions of our members. The […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on March 23, 2026
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The Criminal Lawyers’ Association’s statement on calls for a judicial apology in the Umar Zameer case
The OPP report on the officers’ conduct in the Umar Zameer trial was a repackaging of the evidence already heard by an impartial jury that unanimously rejected the officers’ accounts and acquitted Mr. Zameer. At the conclusion of the trial, the Toronto Police Chief declared that: “we were hoping for a different outcome”. To achieve […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on March 19, 2026
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