Skip to main content

We are a platform dedicated to

Freedom of Expression and the Public's Right to Know

Genuine democracy, advancement of knowledge, individual self-development, and social justice depend on a society in which freedom of expression and the right to know are a reality for everyone. The Centre for Free Expression works to advance these rights though public education, advocacy, law reform, research, advisory services, policy analysis, assistance to courts, and organizational collaborations.

The Latest

Policy Submission September 17, 2024

CFE Submissions to the Senate of Canada re Bill C-290

Bill C-290: The Public Sector Integrity Act, passed unanimously by the House of Commons, would make badly needed amendments to Canada’s deeply flawed whistleblower protection legislation, the Public Sector Disclosures Protection Act (PSDPA). In its submissions, CFE argues that C-290 offers an immediate opportunity to make some of the vital amendments essential for the PSDPA to be able to offer better protection for Canadian whistleblowers. Although arguing that much more needs to be done, the changes C-290 would introduce are necessary steps that must be taken now. The Backgrounder details the significant and wide-ranging problems that exist as a result of the inadequacies of the PSDPA.
News September 5, 2024

Birju Dattani Joins the Centre for Free Expression as a Senior Fellow

The Centre for Free Expression (CFE) is pleased to announce that Birju Dattani is joining CFE as  a Senior Fellow.“Birju is one of Canada’s leading experts on human rights, and we are honoured that he will be helping lead our work on the relationship of expressive freedom and human rights,” said James L. Turk, Director of the CFE.
Blog September 4, 2024

Should the Celebration of Terrorist Acts be Criminalized?

In the last few months several groups in Canada have called on the federal government to enlarge the scope of the Criminal Code ban on speech that counsels others to engage in acts of terrorism to include an explicit prohibition on the “glorification of terrorism”. A ban on the glorification of terrorism might extend to speech that celebrates the murder of Israeli civilians by Hamas on October 7 or the 9-11 attacks in the United States.