Court Challenges Program
The Government of Canada announced the reinstatement of the Court Challenges Program (CCP) on February 7, 2017, as a cornerstone of its commitment to a diverse, fair and inclusive Canada.
The modernized CCP will provide financial support to individuals and groups in Canada to bring cases of national significance related to certain constitutional and quasi-constitutional official language and human rights before the courts.
The CCP is implemented and administered by the University of Ottawa, an organization independent of the Government. Funding decisions are made by two independent expert panels – one for official language rights and one for human rights. The Panels are each composed of experts who report to the University of Ottawa.
Program Administration
The University of Ottawa is responsible for implementing and managing the modernized Court Challenges Program. This organization is independent of the Government and was chosen through an open and transparent assessment process.
Learn more about the administration of the Court Challenges Program and the application process.
Expert Panels
Two independent expert panels, an Official Language Rights Expert Panel and a Human Rights Expert Panel, are responsible for rendering decisions regarding the Court Challenges Program funding.
The Panels are composed of experts who report to the University of Ottawa. They receive administrative support from this independent organization.
The experts were appointed through an open, transparent and merit-based process, in accordance with the established approach for Government of Canada appointments.
Here are the biographies of the members of the Court Challenges Program Expert Panels:
Learn more about the mandate of the Selection Committee for the members of the Court Challenges Program Expert Panels.
Official language and human rights funding
Before accepting funding requests, both independent Expert Panels established the funding application process.
Learn more about the eligibility criteria and the terms of funding:
To reach the Court Challenges Program, please contact the University of Ottawa at:
1 Nicholas St., 15th floor, Room 1507
Ottawa ON K1N 7B7
DirCCPCJ.CCP@uottawa.ca
613-562-5686
Related links
- Announcement of the 14 members appointed to the Court Challenges Program Expert Panels (November 20, 2018)
- Announcement of the five individuals chosen to form the Selection Committee (September 1, 2017)