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Toronto’s ‘renovictions’ bylaw to start end of July

Watch the video from Global News on Toronto’s new renovictions bylaw, featuring our Housing Lawyer Michelle Choe.
Link: https://globalnews.ca/video/11304943/torontos-renovictions-bylaw-to-start-end-of-july
 

City of Toronto Lived Experience Advisory Group – Third Cohort Application

The City of Toronto is seeking individuals who have lived experience with poverty to join the next Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG).
Understanding that poverty affects people differently, this is an open call to residents of Toronto who can inform the implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy as well as a range of City services and programs based on their firsthand experience with poverty.

Shelter Bed Class Action for Refugee Claimants

The following is information from Stieber Berlach LLP, Lewis Litigation and the Black Legal Action Centre. DVCLS is not involved in this class action.
Stieber Berlach LLP, Lewis Litigation and the Black Legal Action Centre, have commenced a class action proceeding against the City of Toronto on behalf of refugee claimants that have been negatively impacted by the discriminatory practice of excluding refugee claimants from shelter beds.

Air Conditioning: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

Note: The Residential Tenancies Act was amended in 2023 to alter the laws around air conditioning, but these changes are not yet in force. This article reflects the current state of the law in Toronto (as of July 10, 2025).
As Toronto experiences more heat waves, many tenants have questions about air conditioning (“AC”).

Different Appeals in the Canadian Immigration System

You’ve applied to come to Canada (or bring a family member) and been refused? What can you do?
Perhaps you have heard you can “appeal” the decision. “Appeal” is a common word in the English language. What a layperson (or a lawyer, trying to communicate in simple terms with a client) calls an “appeal” might not technically be an appeal under immigration law.

Canada Disability Benefit Update – Applications Open June 20, 2025

The federal government has announced that applications for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) will open on June 20, 2025.
The main CDB webpage now states:
When to apply
Applications will open on June 20, 2025. You cannot apply before this date.
Get ready to apply
Individuals who have been approved for the disability tax credit and who meet most of the eligibility criteria as listed on the do you qualify page,

Ontario is increasing ODSP rates by 2.8% effective July 2025

This is the fourth rate increase since the province tied ODSP rates to inflation in September 2022. Rates have increased by a total of 20% since then.
The 2025 inflation-based increase to ODSP will take effect on July 1, 2025. People receiving ODSP will see an inflation-based increase of 2.8% to:

basic needs and shelter maximum amounts for singles and families
board and lodge amounts for singles and families
the amount provided for a couple where both have disabilities
amounts for services provided by a Long-Term Care Home or a Specialized Care Residence

For example,

Air Conditioner Assistance Program

This summer the City is piloting a program to provide free portable air conditioners to some low-income seniors with health-related needs for air conditioning. This initiative aligns with climate change resilience efforts and complements existing supports, such as the City’s Hardship Fund.
Toronto continues to experience the effects of climate change,

Canada Disability Benefit Update

The Canada Disability Benefit will provide direct financial support to people with disabilities who are between 18 and 64 years old. The program is administered by Service Canada. The first month of eligibility for the Canada Disability Benefit is June 2025 and it is expected that payments will begin in July 2025.

Knowing Your Rights – Temporary Changes to EI

Given the current economic climate, employees have justifiable concerns about their job security. In response, the Government of Canada has initiated a six-month pilot project introducing temporary changes to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. These temporary changes are: (1) the waiver of the one-week waiting period for all EI claims; (2) the suspension of the allocation rules regarding separation-related payments made to employees;