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
Travel 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.
Read moreUpdate – IRCC’s Pilot Project to Sponsor Undeclared Family Members – Extended to 2026
The Government of Canada has extended a pilot project that allows certain immigrants who did not declare family members on their original applications to still sponsor them so they can come to Canada. Previously set to expire on September 9, 2023, it was announced this week that the Pilot Project has been extended until September 10,
Read moreCity of Toronto invites the public to apply for the new Housing Rights Advisory Committee
News Release
September 8, 2023
Today, the City of Toronto will begin accepting applications to recruit public members for the City’s new Housing Rights Advisory Committee (HRAC). Interested residents can apply on the City’s Public Appointments webpage.
The HRAC is a new Council Advisory Body that will advise Council to ensure that the interests and needs of those with living or lived experience of housing precarity,
Copy That! A Tenant’s Right to Withhold Rent
By John Wigle, Student-at-Law, and Bhavin Bilimoria, Director of Legal Services, Don Valley Community Legal Services Question: Can I withhold my rent if my landlord does not provide me with a copy of the lease? Answer: If a tenancy agreement is in writing (i.e. a lease),
Read moreDealing with an Employer Who Doesn’t Pay You
By Richa Sandill, Staff Lawyer and DVCLS Employment Law Team Lead At our legal clinic we receive far too many calls from people whose employers fail to pay them their wages. These calls can range from employers who pay wages haphazardly, to employers who don’t pay wages on time,
Read moreCitizenship Applications – Common Causes of Complications: Criminal Matters
Below is the first in a series of information posts from our Immigration Team about some of the most common factors that could cause complications with the processing of Citizenship Applications. Number One: Criminal Charges or Recent Convictions There are two ways that being charged or convicted of a criminal offence could have an impact on your eligibility to apply for citizenship and/or the processing of your ongoing citizenship application.
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