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TORONTO — Today, the Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) is introducing a free guide to safe and legal protest in Canada, available as a live link and for download as an offline PDF file at theccf.ca/learn/know-your-rights/.

Peaceful protest is safeguarded under Sections 2(b) and 2(c) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but protesters unaware of the boundaries of these rights may face arrest, detainment, or criminal charges. 

Know Your Rights: A Guide to Protest in Canada answers the most common questions associated with protesting, civil disobedience and engaging with police while assembling.

The guide launches against the recent backdrop of widely publicized and contentious demonstrations such as the 2022 Freedom Convoy and 2024 anti-Israel encampments at Canadian universities.

Josh Dehaas, CCF Counsel and author of the guide, said the goal of the guide is to help police, protesters and politicians understand the extent of protesters’ rights.

“Many protesters think they can get away with things like blockading traffic or pitching tent encampments,” Dehaas said. “Meanwhile, some police and politicians think it’s acceptable to ban speech through bubble zones or arrest protesters simply for trying to engage with the other side. I hope this guide will clarify the rules so that we can restore order and protect liberty.”

This initiative comes as part of broader efforts to educate Canadians about their constitutional rights, including free online courses on fundamental freedoms, free expression, and privacy rights at theccf.ca/learn.

The Canadian Constitution Foundation is a registered charity, independent and non-partisan. We defend the constitutional rights and freedoms of Canadians in the courts of law and public opinion.