News & Events
Welcome to our News & Events page. Don Valley Community Legal Services actively participates in a variety of community activities, public legal education workshops, and community networking tables. One key component that allows members to be self-empowered is knowledge of what is happening around them. This page will allow us to share what is happening in the communities we serve.
Here we will share legal information articles, local law reform campaigns, news stories, community events and details for our Annual General Meeting.
For community events, workshops, public legal education (PLE) information or membership, please contact our Community Development Worker at 416-441-1764 ext. 22.
Legal Info Articles & News
The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
The following is legal information and not legal advice. If you need further information or need legal advice, please call our Intake Line at 416-441-1764 ext. 1. The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is commonly referred to as “disability benefits” and it is run by the Ontario Government’s Ministry of Children,
Read moreACTO’s Top 5 Concerns on Bill 60
October 24, 2025 The Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO) is sounding the alarm on Bill 60 (Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025) which threatens to strip away essential tenant protections and weaken Ontario’s housing justice system. ACTO strongly opposes the government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act and the Landlord Tenant Board,
Read morePublic engagement on Ontario’s poverty reduction strategy
The Government of Ontario is asking Ontarians to share their experiences, perspectives, challenges, and priorities, to assess the current 2020-2025 poverty reduction strategy and to explore opportunities for the next strategy. You can provide input in the following ways to help inform next steps and the direction of the strategy: Complete a survey for individual Ontarians,
Read moreUpdate – Making Sense of IRCC Processing Times
The following is legal information and not legal advice. If you need further information or need legal advice, please call our Intake Line at 416-441-1764 ext. 1. This information is current as of October 21, 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is the government department responsible for receiving and processing all applications related to travel,
Read moreBasics on How to Start an Application in The Permanent Residence Portal
This information is current as of September 15, 2025. The purpose of this article is to provide a basic introduction to the internet portal used to apply for permanent residence in Canada, as well as to apply to renew permanent resident cards or permanent resident travel documents (for permanent residents who are outside of Canada).
Read moreCall for Board Nominations!
We’re looking for candidates to join our volunteer Board of Directors Candidates must meet the following requirements: Must be a member of DVCLS Must be at least 18 years of age Must live or work within our catchment area Commitment to attend Board meetings throughout the year and actively participate on the Board and subcommittees Our Board members are people who work or live in the communities we serve.
Read moreCDCP Dental Coverage – Are You Covered? Don’t Forget to Renew!
By: Kimber-lee Wargalla, Community Outreach Co-Ordinator, Advocacy Centre for the Elderly The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is making dental care more affordable for eligible Canadians. If you have not applied yet, or are already enrolled, here’s what you need to know: WHO IS ELIGIBLE? ✔ You don’t have access to dental insurance ✔ Have filed your tax returns for the previous year ✔ You’re a Canadian resident for tax purposes ✔ Individuals or couples with a net annual income under $70,000 – Full coverage or between $70,000 and $90,000 – Partial coverage Already receiving dental benefits through a government program?
Read moreToronto’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
Read moreCity 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.
Read moreShelter 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.
Read more