Canadian Civil Liberties Association: Research Project (1 Position Available)

Area of Law: Constitutional Law -- Public Law -- Administrative Law -- Criminal Law -- Human Rights Law

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, nongovernmental 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. To learn more about the CCLA, check out their website here: https://ccla.org/

In this project, 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. Students will have the opportunity to research in one of the following streams: criminal justice, privacy, fundamental freedoms, or equality. 

Time Commitment

Students are expected to volunteer for 5 hours per week. The Program Director of CCLA will work with students to determine either regular shifts or to allow for flexible work. Generally, flexibility should be possible. The student will be provided a works space at the CCLA.

Required Training

In addition to the PBSC mandatory training, the CCLA will provide a mandatory orientation. Training will take place on a date to be determined for students from all chapters participating in the project.

Number of Students and Prerequisites

  • How many students?
    • 9 students will be volunteering with 1 student from UofT (students will be volunteering with students from Osgoode, TMU, Ottawa Common, Queen's, McGill, UBC, UNB, and Western)
  • Can first year law students volunteer?
    • No - give the nature of the research, CCLA is seeking upper year students
  • Should you be bilingual?
    • No, although French fluency is an asset.
  • Any other expectations for this project?
    • 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.