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
Disputing a Decision about Social Assistance
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. If you need support with money for food and housing and/or if you have a disability and are in financial need you can apply for Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (OSDP) online here.
Read moreCommunity Legal Clinics Win Major Human Rights Decision at Divisional Court of Ontario
Decision removes a serious access to justice hurdle for applicants alleging discrimination at the Human Rights Tribunal Toronto, ON. – The Divisional Court of Ontario has released a new decision, Bokhari v. Top Medical Transportation Services, 2026 ONSC 1073, with significant implications for individuals with claims before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
Read moreWhat are my rights as a spouse of the tenant?
Article written by: Mahnoor Fatima, Student-at-Law 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. My spouse was the only tenant named on the lease and they passed away. Am I permitted to remain in the rental unit even though my name is not listed as a tenant?
Read moreComments on the City’s 2026 Budget
Read our letter to the City’s Budget Committee. January 22, 2026 To: City of Toronto Budget Committee Re: Comments on the City’s 2026 Budget Don Valley Community Legal Services is a community legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario. Our catchment area includes Wards 14, 15, 16 and 19, and sections of Wards 11 and 12.
Read moreBrochure Now Available in Different Languages!
Our brochure is now available in several different languages. These are the most spoken languages in our catchment area based off of census data and community feedback.
English
Arabic
Bengali
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
French
Pashto
Spanish
Tagalog
Urdu
Please contact laura.anonen@dvcls.clcj.ca if you would like to order copies.
Understanding Your Rights as a Tenant Under Bill 60
This resource from the Canadian Centre of Housing Rights (CCHR) gives tenants in Ontario essential information on their rights under Bill 60, including expected changes and protections that remain in place. Click here for the PDF version. This information was published on December 18, 2025. Understanding Your Rights as a Tenant Under Bill 60 On November 24,
Read moreInformation for Tenants Affected by the Fire at 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive and 21 Overlea Blvd
The following is from Don Valley Community Legal Services (DVCLS). It is information only, not legal advice. Questions about Insurance If you have questions regarding your home, condo, or tenant insurance, please contact your insurance company directly. Please note DVCLS does not practice insurance law, and we do not provide legal advice on real estate law,
Read moreRent Increases – 2026 Guideline
The following is legal information from Steps to Justice. It is not legal advice. If you need further information or need legal advice, please call our Intake Line at 416-441-1764 ext. 1. The rules about rent increases are complicated. To learn which rules apply, tenants need to know if: they are covered by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) they have an agreement with their landlord to add extra services or space their landlord has applied for a rent increase above the annual guideline (AGI) They also need to know the age of the building or unit that they live in.
Read moreBill 60 Update
November 12, 2025 We are very concerned about the recently proposed Bill 60 by the provincial government. It is currently going through second reading in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. ACTO has created a helpful one pager about Bill 60. We were pleased to see Toronto City Council address this Bill through item EX27.1 –
Read moreThe 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,
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