How We Can Help
Our Services
Don Valley Community Legal Services is a community legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario. We provide services in specific areas of law to our catchment area. We also provide public legal education (PLE), participate in community development initiatives, and law reform advocacy.
We provide legal advice and representation in the following areas of law:
- Affidavits and Notarial True Copies
- Employment Law
- Housing Law
- Human Rights (limited)
- Immigration Law
- Income Supports – Ontario Works (OW)/Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)/Canada Pension Plan (CPP)/Old Age Security (OAS)
We do not help with, but can provide referrals related to the following areas:
- Abuse and Family Violence
- Criminal Law
- Debt and Consumer Rights
- Family Law
- French Language Rights
- Health and Disability
- Help from other Lawyers and Paralegals
- Refugee Law
- Services for Victims of Crime
- Tribunals and Courts (in the areas of law we do not handle)
- Wills and Powers of Attorney
If you are seeking legal assistance, an affidavit or notarial true copy, please call our Intake Line at 416-441-1764 ext. 1 or complete the Intake Form.
Public Legal Education
We provide public legal education (PLE) seminars and workshops to community groups in our catchment area and to the general public. We focus on the areas of law we cover – for example, we can host a tenant workshop to inform tenants about their rights. We also provide pamphlets and other information in different languages.
Please contact us if you are interested in PLE. Call our Community Development Worker at 416-441-1764 ext. 22.
Community Development
We participate in community development initiatives which assist clients to organize and form community-led groups. We work with local agencies, elected officials and community leaders. Clinic staff are also actively involved in anti-poverty and advocacy groups. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about our community development initiatives. Call our Community Development Worker at 416-441-1764 ext. 22.
Advocacy
We participate in Law Reform initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting the legal interest of our community including test case litigation and appearances before municipal councils, legislative committees and public commissions and inquiries.
Zero-Tolerance Policy for Abusive Behaviour towards Staff
Don Valley Community Legal Services is committed to providing a work environment in which all our staff are free from workplace harassment and violence, and treated with respect and dignity. We have a zero-tolerance policy for abusive behaviour towards or in the presence of our staff, and we reserve the right to immediately deny service if our policy is violated.