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 ...

  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 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 ...

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 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, ...

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 ...

More action needed for government to deliver concrete results to end gender-based violence and femicides   Anishinaabe Territory/OTTAWA, December 5th, 2025 – On the eve of the 36th anniversary of the Polytechnique antifeminist mass shooting, the National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) welcomes the tabling in the ...

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, women’s organizations denounce nearly two years of government inaction on a measure designed to save lives  In December 2023, Bill C-21, reforming the Firearms Act, became law after extensive study in both the House of Commons and the Senate. It contained a simple and essential safeguard: anyone subject to ...

National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) Statement on  Speech from the Throne   Commitments to implement new measures addressing intimate partner gun violence    Anishinaabe Territory/OTTAWA, May 28th, 2025: The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) welcomed commitments in the ...

The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney and the elected Liberal MPs on receiving a mandate from Canadians to form a new government. During this time of economic turmoil, there is an urgent need for ...

Consultations on Regulations Amending the Firearms Licences Regulations and the Protection Order Regulations   Commentary on Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 10   About NAWL  The National Association of Women and the Law is a not-for-profit organization that works to advance women’s rights in ...

On March 20th, 2025, Suzanne Zaccour, Director of Legal Affairs at the National Association of Women and the Law, testified before the National Assembly of Québec’s Committee on Institutions regarding Bill 91, which proposes the creation of a Unified Family Court within ...

Women’s and children’s lives remain at stake until regulations are in place to make new domestic violence provisions operable The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) welcomes the coming into force of important new measures to protect women and children ...

On Wednesday, February 12th, the National Association of Women and the Law had the honour of appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada in a case that could shape legal protections for survivors of intimate partner violence. Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia is about ...

Crucial investments to strengthen women’s movement in Canada will support systemic change, advance equality and protect women’s rights The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) is pleased to see the federal government take additional steps toward gender justice with measures ...

Hate-motivated violence is one manifestation of a broader system of oppression that limits the ability of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals to live in dignity and safety. In considering the full context of hate-motivated violence, the committee should pay attention to the ways in which ...