Uncategorized
Low-Income Energy Network – Program Information
The Low-Income Energy Network (LIEN) is a joint program of the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) and the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO). LIEN’s aim is to ensure that low-income consumers have optimal access to energy efficiency and financial assistance programs and to build local community capacity to reduce energy poverty.
Read moreHRTO finds paying newcomer less than minimum wage is citizenship-based discrimination
Second largest damages award in Tribunal’s history
BY Aidan Macnab / Law Times / 15 Feb 2024
In a decision ordering the second highest damages award in its history, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal found that paying a non-citizen worker less than the minimum wage is a form of citizenship-based discrimination.
Support for Restoring In-Person Landlord and Tenant Board Hearings
We were very pleased to see a motion at City Council from our local City Councillor, Paula Fletcher, on restoring in-person hearings at the Landlord and Tenant Board. We sent a letter in support and hope to see improvements at the LTB.
Thanks to the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO) for their ongoing work and advocacy on this issue.
Entitlement to Pregnancy and Parental Leave under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act
The Employment Standards Act (ESA) establishes that employees in Ontario are entitled to take an unpaid leave of absence from their job due to pregnancy or to care for a child. To be eligible for pregnancy or parental leave under the ESA, the employee must be working in a provincially regulated industry and properly classified as an employee rather than an independent contractor.
Read moreOur Comments on the City’s 2024 Budget
It’s budget season in the City of Toronto! We sent a letter to the Budget Committee, Mayor Chow and our local City Councillors with our comments and suggestions for the 2024 budget. We believe the City should increase funding to programs that help tenants – Eviction Prevention in the Community (EPIC),
Read moreHow the Canadian Immigration System has Responded to Crises in Iran and Sudan
When a country falls into a long-lasting security crisis, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will sometimes set up special rules to make it easier for people from the affected country to come to Canada.
Since these programs are not part of normal immigration law, and are often created in response to political pressure,
The (il)Legality of Deposits
Question: I recently signed a one-year lease with a new landlord who also asked me to pay a damage deposit, a key deposit and a security deposit in order to rent the apartment. Because I desperately needed the apartment, I paid all of these deposits to my landlord. Were all of these deposits legal?
Read moreAppealing an Employment Insurance Denial to the Social Security Tribunal
People who apply for Employment Insurance (E.I.) and are denied on both the first application and on the reconsideration request may appeal that denial. The appeal at this stage goes to the Social Security Tribunal (SST).
Timeline and Manner of Filing Appeal
An appeal to the SST General Division must be made within 30 days from the time you receive your reconsideration decision.
Story in Toronto Life – The Good Liar
We have been assisting tenants from 500 Dawes Road and this past summer we worked with our community partners to do more outreach. Karly Wilson, Staff Lawyer from our Housing Law Team, has been working tirelessly to assist tenants facing eviction. She spoke with Toronto Life and is featured in their article on the building and the landlord.
Read moreCessation
Disclaimer: This post provides general legal information only. To have an individualized assessment of your circumstances, please consult with a lawyer. Don Valley Community Legal Services offers free legal advice. Please call our Intake Line at 416-441-1764 ext. 1.
What is cessation?
Cessation is the loss of refugee status in Canada on a finding that a person “voluntarily reavailed themself of the protection of their country of nationality”,