“Fundamental Freedoms” for us includes those rights and freedoms considered essential to the functioning of a democracy. They allow individuals and groups to express themselves, to believe and practice what they choose, and to exercise their right to vote.  For example, freedom of religion, speech, and conscience are fundamental freedoms. It is almost impossible to imagine how a democracy could work without protection for these most basic rights and freedoms, and yet–in Canada–they continue to be under attack in many ways.

CCLA has spoken out on the most important issues affecting fundamental freedoms: censorship, religion in schools, the right to vote and the facilitation of peaceful protest. Our more recent work strives to ensure that communication technologies, which can greatly democratize expression, do not become tools for censorship or invasions of personal privacy.