CELA
CELA is a non-profit specialty legal aid clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario

We work to protect human health and our environment by seeking justice for those harmed by pollution and by working to change policies to prevent such problems in the first place. We provide free legal services to people and groups across Ontario.

CELA Foundation
CELA Foundation

The CELA Foundation supports CELA’s research and educational work on environmental law and justice issues through extensive resources available to the public and in support of the environmental law and policy community. The Foundation also helps CELA mentor and train the next generation of environmental lawyers.

CELA counsel
CELA counsel represent Ontario residents and community groups who qualify for legal aid

Representation occurs in the courts and before tribunals on matters of environmental law. CELA’s lawyers have achieved some of the most important environmental law victories and precedent-setting cases in Canada.

2022 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report

This year, we’re excited to showcase CELA’s accomplishments in a new way. In our 2022 Annual Report, you’ll see a series of stories highlighting the critical litigation, law reform, and legal education work CELA does to protect human health and the environment on behalf of vulnerable and low-income communities.

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Advancing Environmental Law

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CELA's Latest Activities

Discover staff blog posts, publications, reports, alerts, and media releases.

Media Release: Federal Budget 2023

Toronto – The 2023 federal budget is an important step in accelerating Canada’s transition to a low-carbon future and the protection of freshwater across the country. Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) is pleased to see significant investments in freshwater, renewable electricity,

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Blog: Manito Aki Inaakonigewin // Great Spirit Law

Blog post by: Jane Cooper, Law Student (Osgoode Intensive Program in Indigenous Lands, Resources & Governments), CELA Hailey Krolyk, Policy Analyst, Treaty #3 Investment Group, Grand Council Treaty #3 Manito Aki Inaakonigewin (“MAI”) loosely translates to “Great Spirit Law” and

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Pathway Out of Energy Poverty in Northern Ontario

Pathway Out of Energy Poverty in Northern Ontario: An Assessment in Northern Ontario and Recommendations on Next Steps The Low-Income Energy Network (LIEN) has published Pathway Out of Energy Poverty in Northern Ontario, a report  assessing energy affordability programs available

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Casework: Judicial Review of Bill 197 - COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020​

On behalf of several environmental organizations and individuals, CELA sought a judicial review in Divisional Court of the statutory decision by two Ontario Cabinet Ministers that denied our clients and other members of the public their legal right to be notified and consulted on environmentally significant legislative amendments contained in Bill 197 (COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020) before they were enacted by the Ontario Legislature on July 21, 2020. These amendments include changes to the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) and the Planning Act.

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