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.

CELA Welcomes Reintroduction of First Nations Clean Water Act

CELA Welcomes Reintroduction of First Nations Clean Water Act, will share analysis in coming days.

June 16, 2026

Submission to City of Hamilton Planning Committee on Hamilton Heat Response Plan – Copy

CELA Submitted Comments to the City of Hamilton Planning Committee on Item 9.7 of Meeting Agenda related to Hamilton Heat

June 16, 2026

Submission to Minister Lecce on Ontario’s updated Critical Minerals Strategy

CELA Submitted comments to Minister Lecce on Ontario’s updated Critical Minerals Strategy.

June 16, 2026

Submission to City of Hamilton Planning Committee on Hamilton Heat Response Plan

CELA Submitted Comments to the City of Hamilton Planning Committee on Item 9.7 of Meeting Agenda related to Hamilton Heat

June 16, 2026

Action Alert: Federal Proposal Would Cut Environmental Protection

Tell the federal government to strengthen – not rollback – environmental protection

June 3, 2026

Blog: The Flawed Federal Proposal to Fast-Track Major Projects

CELA opposes federal discussion paper that proposes sweeping reforms to federal assessment and permitting processes.

June 3, 2026

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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