News & Events
Welcome to our community page. Don Valley Community Legal Services actively participates in a variety of community activities, public legal education workshops, trainings, 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 with you what is happening in our community. We will post information on local law reform campaigns, and information about our clinic including our Annual General Meeting. If you wish to be on our mailing list, please sign our Membership form.
For Legal Advice please call our Legal Advice Telephone Line – 416-441-1764, ext 1 – on leaving your information you will receive a return call within 24 business hours. We will not provide legal advice through this email contact. For all community connections, workshop and public legal education information or membership, please contact our office or email us at info@donvalleylegal.ca.
Legal Resources during COVID-19
Steps to Justice website offered by Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) will provide updates to necessary legal information – follow the link https://stepstojustice.ca/covid-19
I would like to dispute a decision made by the social assistance office. I heard that I can appeal. Is this true and what is the process?
If you disagree with a decision made by the Ontario Works (OW) office or by the Ontario Disability (ODSP) office, you may have the right to appeal it. This includes decisions refusing your social assistance (including your application for ODSP), reducing your social assistance amount, suspending/terminating your social assistance, or creating an “overpayment” (debt).
Read moreWhat is the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)? How do I qualify for it?
What is Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)? ODSP is commonly referred to as ‘disability benefits’ and it is run by the Ontario Government’s Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. This kind of help is to pay for things you need, and is called ‘financial assistance or income support’. ODSP is generally for people with serious health problems.
Read moreTareekh Pe Tareekh – “Know Your Employment Law Rights” Public Legal Education Campaign
The South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALCO) and the Toronto East Employment and Immigration Law Services (TEEILS) have been working to create the “Tareekh Pe Tareekh – Know Your Employment Law Rights” Public Legal Education Campaign. The campaign will be launched on social media on September 6, 2022. We will be posting a series of short educational videos in Hindi,
Read more“Breaking up” with your apartment: Options for when you’re not on the lease
My partner and I recently split up, and they moved out of our apartment. I love this apartment and would like to stay, but the lease is only in their name. What can I do? Unfortunately, the stress caused by a breakup or separation can be exacerbated by Toronto’s limited rental market.
Read moreI am in financial need. How can I apply for Ontario Works?
You might be eligible for Ontario Works (OW) if you are over the age of 16, are in financial need
because you and your family do not have enough money to cover your living expenses, you live in
Ontario and have assets within the allowable asset limits. The intent of the Ontario Works program
is to “help people in temporary financial need find sustainable employment and achieve selfreliance through the provision of effective,
The Definition of Family Member
*Note: Information current to July 25th, 2022. A ‘family member’ can mean different things to different people. In the context of immigration, the Canadian government has set their own definition for what it means in terms of applications regarding sponsorship. In general, a ‘family member’ can include: – Your spouse/partner; –
Read moreThe Rent Increase Guideline for 2023 and Creating Affordable Housing Can Start with Two Policies
The Ontario rent increase guideline for 2023 is 2.5%, as announced by the provincial government on June 29, 2022. Based on the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, 2.5% is the maximum guideline amount that the province can set. The guideline for 2022 is 1.2%. The rent increase guideline is the maximum amount by which your landlord may increase your rent,
Read moreFighting Renovictions: Toronto and its Tenants Could Learn Lessons from New Westminster (July 2022 Update)
One of the risks of being a tenant is the possibility you will lose your home through no fault of your own. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (the “RTA”), landlords are permitted to obtain an eviction order from the Landlord and Tenant Board (the “LTB”) if they intend on demolishing,
Read moreI am in need of some money. What are some government sources of income which may be available to me?
I am in need of some money. What are some government sources of income which may be available to me? There are various sources of income which are administered by the government and you may be available for them depending on your particular situation. The following is a brief overview of some of the common sources of income.
Read moreImmigration Updates and Options for Persons from Afghanistan and Ukraine *Note: Information current to July 15th, 2022.*
Immigration Updates and Options for Persons from Afghanistan and Ukraine *Note: Information current to July 15th, 2022.* Recently, the Government of Canada has announced many new immigration programs for people fleeing Afghanistan or Ukraine. Below are some key highlights, specific to each country. Information about all the programs can be found on the Immigration,
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