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As the federal government prepares the upcoming fall 2026 budget, the National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) is calling for investments and legislative reforms that respond to some of the most pressing challenges facing women in Canada: gender-based violence, economic ...

Anishinaabe Territory/Ottawa, September 30, 2026 –  September 30th marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters. NAWL’s office is located on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people, the traditional stewards of this ...

Content note: This report deals with difficult content that may be upsetting to read, including the deaths of children. Please feel free to skip this content if it is not right for you. Anishinaabe Territory/Ottawa, September 24, 2026 – A new Canadian ...

Budget 2026 must include a commitment to address this issue of gender discrimination in the Employment Insurance program Anishinaabe Territory / Ottawa, September 14, 2026 – The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) welcomes the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision in Chalifour-Racine ...

Dear friends, partners, and supporters, On behalf of the National Steering Committee, we are pleased to share NAWL’s 2025–2026 Annual Report. This year’s work reflects the strength, urgency, and impact of feminist law reform at a time when the rights, safety, and ...

  Anishinaabe Territory / Ottawa, June 9, 2026 – The National Association of Women and the Law is deeply disappointed by the federal government’s decision to extend the amnesty period for prohibited assault-style firearms until 90 days after the Supreme Court rules ...

NAWL’s Unfinished Business report identifies urgent gaps in Canada’s family law system and offers 40 practical recommendations to better protect survivors and children.  Anishinaabe Territory / Ottawa, June 3, 2026 – The National Association of Women and the Law is thrilled to announce the launch of a new national report, Unfinished ...

The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) is thrilled to announce the continued support of Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), with renewed funding through March 2027 to continue two key projects advancing responses to gender-based violence (GBV) and strengthening ...

Anishinaabe Territory / Ottawa, May 19, 2026 – The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) welcomes the landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Canada in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, recognizing a new tort of intimate partner violence, a legal tool that will help survivors ...

Budget 2026 must go further by investing in women’s economic security, leadership and safety to build a more prosperous and inclusive Canada for all.   Anishinaabe Territory/OTTAWA, April 29, 2026 – The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) welcomes the Spring ...

  Anishinaabe Territory / Ottawa, April 13, 2026 – Amanda Therrien, Senior Staff Lawyer at the National Association of Women and the Law, appeared before the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs as part of its study of Bill S-228, An ...

Anishinaabe Territory / Ottawa, March 24, 2026 – The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) will intervene this week before the Supreme Court of Canada to defend the constitutional right to equality between women and men, as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of ...

Anishinaabe Territory / Ottawa, March 23, 2026 – The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) has submitted a brief to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, outlining critical recommendations to improve Bill C-16, An Act to amend certain ...

By recognizing that the exclusion of asylum seekers from the subsidized childcare system is discriminatory toward women, the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision represents a substantial victory for women’s equality rights.  On March 6, 2026, the Supreme Court judges confirmed that denying asylum seekers access to ...

Urgent: Defining Protection Orders Broadly under the Firearms Licenses Regulations to Address Intimate Partner Gun Violence and Femicides   Dear Minister Anandasangaree,   Last week, the government concluded its second consultation on the regulatory definition of “protection order” for the purposes of firearm license revocation under former Bill C-21. One of the objectives of Bill C-21 was to protect women and children ...

The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) has submitted a brief in response to consultations on proposed regulations under the Firearms Act, as amended by former Bill C-21. NAWL argues that the regulations must adopt a comprehensive definition of “protection ...

Anishinaabe Territory / Ottawa, February 17th, 2026 –  On Wednesday, February 11th, the National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) had the honour of hosting an important discussion at the Senate about the role that a guaranteed livable income can play in strengthening economic security ...

Anishinaabe Territory / Ottawa, February 4th, 2026 – Following a thoughtful debate in the House of Commons, Members of Parliament voted to move forward with the Keeping the Children Safe Act, paving the way for long-awaited reforms sought by feminist organizations.  By voting to proceed with the study of Bill C-223 at committee, ...

Montreal/Toronto/Ottawa/Quebec City, January 17, 2026 – The launch of the national buyback program for prohibited assault-style weapons is a win for public safety in Canada, say leading gun control advocacy groups and women’s organizations. These firearms are not reasonably used for hunting ...

The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) has submitted a brief to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women as part of its study on Section 810 of the Criminal Code and women’s safety.  In its submission, NAWL urges the federal government to strengthen ...