CELA

Canadian Environmental Law Association is a legal aid clinic dedicated to environmental equity, justice, and health.

Founded in 1970, CELA is one of the oldest environmental advocates for environmental protection in the country. With funding from Legal Aid Ontario, CELA provides free legal services relating to environmental justice in Ontario, including representing qualifying low-income and vulnerable or disadvantaged communities in litigation. CELA also works on environmental legal education and reform initiatives.

Legal Representation and Advice

How can we help?

Legal Education and Engagement

Learn about the law

Law Reform and Initiatives

Advocating for environmental justice

CELA's Latest Activities

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

Media Release: Ontario municipalities must end partial lead pipe replacement and commit to a lead-free future

CELA calls on Ontario municipalities to work towards a lead-free future.

October 14, 2025

Report – End of the Line: A better way for municipalities to get the lead out of our drinking water

Report urging Ontario municipalities to completely remove toxic lead pipes from their drinking water systems.

October 14, 2025

Briefing Note – Mandatory LSL Replacement By-Laws

Briefing note for Ontario municipalities working to remove toxic lead pipes from their drinking water systems.

October 14, 2025

The Urgent Need for a Maximum Temperature By-Law in Windsor

The Canadian Environmental Law Association calls on the City of Windsor to adopt and implement a maximum temperature by-law to

October 3, 2025

September 2025 Newsletter – Intervenor, Volume 52, Number 2

The Right to a Healthy Environment, case updates for Darlington nuclear and the Richmond Landfill saga, and action needed on

October 1, 2025

Submission: CELA Letter to MECP re: ERO # 019-4955 – Proposed Hydraulic Control System & Supplementary CCCTE Comments

On behalf of our client, CELA filed a submission that raises concerns about a leachate-related proposal at the closed Richmond

September 26, 2025

CELA Turns 55!

We recently celebrated this milestone with friends and colleagues in a gathering featuring remarks from Rod Strain (Vice President, Clinic Law Services, Legal Aid Ontario) and an inspiring keynote address from Kathleen Padulo (Director of Environment, Chiefs of Ontario). We were delighted to welcome former staff, students, board members and other special guests to the event.

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