Three Canadian Organizations You Should Know About
by Lauren Matera
In Canada, free expression is defended by organizations that do outstanding work and provide crucial services. You can do your part by learning more about them.
Headquarters: Toronto
Not-so-secret identity: CJFE is a non-profit organization that monitors, defends and reports on free expression and access to information (ATI) in Canada and abroad.
Superpowers: CJFE lobbies for the democratic rights of citizens and journalists and seeks to reform Canada’s outdated ATI system. It also campaigns against impunity—the lack of accountability for those who harass, torture and murder journalists—and offers support to journalists who face threats for their work.
Origin story: CJFE was formed in 1981 in response to the kidnapping, torture and murder of journalists in Latin America in the late 1970s. Originally called the Centre for Investigative Journalism Latin American Committee, the organization began working on a broader international scale in 1984 and was renamed CJFE in 1998.
Deeds: Within Canada, CJFE raises awareness of free expression issues, responds to threats against press freedom and engages in government consultations. It is a vocal opponent of the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 (formerly Bill C-51), which infringes on free speech and civil liberties. CJFE’s yearly Review of Free Expression in Canada, published on World Press Freedom Day (May 3), includes a report card and a national poll. CJFE’s fellowships and awards bolster the efforts of individuals and projects that work to protect free expression. Outside Canada, CJFE’s Journalists in Distress Fund has provided over $275,000 in humanitarian assistance to journalists.
Headquarters: Toronto
Not-so-secret identity: The CFE is a research and advocacy centre, devoted to issues of free expression. The centre collaborates with like-minded academic and community organizations in Canada and abroad to raise awareness of free expression and human rights.
Superpowers: The CFE monitors censorship in Canada and fosters thoughtful discussion about laws, policies and prac-tices that affect our constitutional rights. It focuses on issues including academic freedom, artistic expression, censorship, corporate surveillance, disinformation, freedom of the press, speech-restrictive laws, and teacher and student rights.
Origin story: Made up of an advisory board, fellows, staff members and bloggers, the CFE formed in 2016. The centre operates within the Faculty of Communication and Design at Ryerson University and is the first of its kind on a Canadian campus.
Deeds: Despite being a relatively new organization, the CFE has hosted informative talks, panels, workshops and film screenings that cover topics such as how to protect your privacy in the digital age and teachers’ rights and free expression. In March 2017, it established the CFE Whistleblowing Initiative to protect individuals who report illegal or unethical behaviour in the public and private sectors.
Headquarters: Vancouver
Not-so-secret identity: The BCCLA is an autonomous, non-partisan and charitable society that fights to protect civil liberties and human rights in the country.
Superpowers: One of the most active civil liberties associations in Canada, the BCCLA provides assistance to individuals who request information or have complaints about civil liberty violations by government agencies. It often serves as a voice for underserved populations that have a limited ability to speak for themselves.
Origin story: The BCCLA formed in 1962 at the University of British Columbia. The association was born out of an act of human rights advocacy. A group came together to raise funds to defend the Fraternal Council of the Sons of Freedom (a small religious sect) from excessive charges laid by RCMP officers. This group became what is now known as the BCCLA.
Deeds: During any given year, the BCCLA is involved in more than 30 active court cases dealing with civil liberties. In 2013, the organization filed a lawsuit against the Communications Security Establishment, a Canadian surveillance agency, to challenge the legality of its broad surveillance of citizens. (The case is ongoing.) The BCCLA also provides direct assistance to individuals and creates and distributes educational resources.
Lauren Matera (@lauren_matera_) recently served as the Book and Periodical Council’s program coordinator. She holds a master of arts in literatures of modernity from Ryerson University and is pursuing a master of teaching degree at the University of Toronto.
Reprinted from Freedom to Read Kit 2018.