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
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”,
Read moreWhat are the government sources of income available?
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. Employment Insurance If you have been employed or self-employed and lost your job,
Read moreDemovictions, design rules, and policy priorities discussed at housing crisis meeting hosted by Beaches-East York MPP
November 23, 2023 By AMARACHI AMADIKE, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Beaches-East York MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon hosted a Community Conversations event aimed at discussing ideas on how to tackle Toronto’s ongoing housing crisis on the night National Housing Day on Tuesday, Nov. 21. The meeting, Housing in Toronto: How Can We Help?,
Read moreDoes Rent Control Apply to Me?
By John Wigle, Student-at-Law, and Bhavin Bilimoria, Director of Legal Services, Don Valley Community Legal Services Question: I have heard that some rental properties in Ontario are exempt from rent control. Is this true? Answer: Yes, some rental properties in Ontario are exempt from the restrictions on rent increases imposed by the Residential Tenancies Act,
Read moreTravel Documents for Those Who Are Not Canadian Citizens
If you are a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a Canadian passport and that is your travel document. If you are not a Canadian citizen and are instead a citizen of another country, and you have a passport from that country, then that passport is your travel document.
Read moreThe New Normal: A Primer on Demovictions in Ontario
By John Wigle, Student-at-Law, and Bhavin Bilimoria, Director of Legal Services, Don Valley Community Legal Services Q: My landlord is trying to evict me because they say the building is going to be demolished. Is this allowed? A: Yes, a landlord is permitted to evict a tenant so that they can demolish the property,
Read moreNo Demovictions Rally – October 2, 2023
On October 2, 2023, we joined the No Demovictions rally outside City Hall in Toronto. No Demovictions is a group brought together by the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA) organizing to end demovictions and displacement, and to protect affordable housing. The three founding buildings were 25 St.
Read moreWorkplace Accommodations under the Human Rights Code
Human Rights in the Workplace In Ontario, most employees are protected by a piece of legislation called the Human Rights Code (the “Code”). The Code gives everyone the right to be treated equally at work. This means that employers cannot discriminate against employees on the basis of the following characteristics: Race Ancestry Place of origin Colour Ethnic origin Citizenship Creed Sexual orientation Gender identity Gender expression Age Record of offences Marital status Family status Disability The right to equal treatment applies to all stages of employment,
Read moreIf You Are Away from Canada for Too Long You Could Lose Your Permanent Residence
Please note the important words in bold text. Individuals who immigrate to Canada, but who are not yet citizens (Permanent Residents) do not have an unlimited right to stay in this country. While citizenship can only be taken away under unusual circumstances, Permanent Resident Status can be revoked for a variety of reasons.
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