CELA works 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. For 40 years, CELA has used legal tools to increase environmental protection and safeguard communities. As a Legal Aid Clinic, our top priority is to represent low income individuals and communities and to speak out for those with less influence and who receive less of a say in decision-making.

Through landmark legal cases CELA has helped shape government and industry approaches to pollution and other environmental threats and has forced polluters to clean up their act. CELA has also been part of shaping innovative collaborations to improve sustainability and human health including the Low Income Energy Network, the Renewable is Doable group, the Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment, the Water Guardians Network, and many more.

Please see the Our Services page for more information about whether your case meets our Legal Aid criteria or alternative sources of assistance. Currently, our policy change work is focused on five areas:

Featured Items and Collections

Great Lakes Protection Act
Campaign to see Ontario honour this Throne Speech commitment
Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
Collection of materials about CEAA and CEAA reform
Early Environmental Exposures and Associations with Chronic Disease
Report and related materials arising from three year collaboration between Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment and Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance
Ban Asbestos
Collection of materials in support of a world-wide ban on all forms of asbestos
Toxic Substances in Consumer Products
Collection of materials about the need for better regulation of chemicals in products
Nuclear Phase-Out
Collection of materials related to CELA's position in support of nuclear phase-out in Canada