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.

Briefing Note: Understanding how source protection laws can help protect your private drinking water system

Briefing note that outlines the importance of source protection and how Ontario’s source protection laws work.

August 28, 2026

Fact Sheet: How to better safeguard your private well or surface water intake

Fact sheet that outlines how certain groups of private drinking water wells or surface water intakes may be eligible for

August 28, 2026

Webinar: New pathway to protecting drinking water for non-municipal systems

How including groups of private wells and surface water intakes in a source protection plan can improve drinking water protection.

August 28, 2026

CELA Comments on the Proposal to replace the Class Environmental Assessment with a Project Evaluation Policy

CELA Submitted Comments on ERO Postings #026-0563 & #026-0089 on Revoking the Class Environment and replacing it with a Project

August 25, 2026

Comments on Refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station

Comments on OPG’s Application to Refurbish Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Units 5–8 and to Renew the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station

August 24, 2026

Fact Sheet: Environmental Registry of Ontario

Fact sheet introducing the government’s platform for public notice on environmental decisions.

August 20, 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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