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
Celebrating Canada Day in the Community
Each year DVCLS participates in community events on Canada Day. We are a proud supporter of the Neighbours Together on Canada Day celebration that takes place in Riverdale Park East within our catchment area. Our staff and volunteers had a wonderful time engaging with community members and handing out free resources.
Read moreHow to Apply for a Visitor Visa
Do you want to visit Canada, whether it is to see a relative or go sight-seeing? While visitor visa applications are generally handled by private lawyers, we are happy to provide you with the following information. Whether you need a visa depends on which country you come from. US citizens can generally enter Canada with just their passports.
Read moreKey Toronto committee endorses plan to prevent renovictions
Policy could be designed later this year, pending council vote Shawn Jeffords · CBC News · Posted: Jun 16, 2024 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: June 16 The City of Toronto has taken a step toward cracking down on illegal renovictions after a committee of councillors approved a plan to regulate how landlords renovate their properties.
Read moreMedia Release – Time for Action on Renovictions
June 13, 2024 Time for Action on Renovictions Tenants and housing advocates urge city to enact renovictions by-law at City Hall today TORONTO – Tenants, housing advocates and legal clinic representatives are calling on the city to move forward with its proposed renovictions by-law. Profit-driven renovictions continue to significantly reduce Toronto’s already limited affordable housing stock and force many tenants out of their long-time homes and communities.
Read moreThe Wait is Over: Toronto’s New Rooming House Bylaw
By Bhavin Bilimoria, Director of Legal Services, Don Valley Community Legal Services In December 2022, Toronto City Council amended its Municipal Code to add a new chapter called Multi-Tenant Houses. This new chapter legalizes multi-unit dwellings, known as rooming houses, across Toronto. It came into effect on March 31, 2024 and with it the City of Toronto ushered in a new regulatory framework for rooming houses.
Read moreDVCLS Staff Support Blood Donation Event
DVCLS staff have been getting more involved in community initiatives and events. A few of our staff donated blood at a recent event at Sunnybrook Hospital. Learn more about donating here. Big thanks to our staff!
Read moreDVCLS Sends Letter to Minister on Personal Long-Term Illness Leave under the ESA
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development offered a consultation on a proposed personal long-term illness leave. DVCLS’ Employment Law Team sent in the following submission. Dear Minister Piccini: Re: Consultation on Personal Long-Term Illness Leave under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 We are writing to provide our feedback to the Ministry of Labour,
Read moreImmigration Update: 2024 Parent/Grandparent Sponsorship Program
*Note: This information is current to May 30, 2024 At the beginning of May, the Canadian Government announced that the Parent/Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP) would be opening again for 2024 on May 21, 2024. It is important to note that this does not mean anyone interested in sponsoring their parents or grandparents to become Permanent Residents in Canada can now apply.
Read moreFamily Sponsorship – Exploring the ‘Other Relative’ Categories
*Note: This information is current to May 28, 2024 In Canadian Immigration Law, the types of relatives a person can sponsor to become a Canadian Permanent Resident are set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. The term ‘family sponsorship’ or ‘sponsorship of a family member’ is normally limited to the Permanent Residence application of a person’s spouse or partner,
Read moreThorncliffe Park Community Hub Groundbreaking Ceremony
On May 23, 2024, Executive Director of DVCLS, Marjorie Hiley, joined our community partners at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Thorncliffe Park Community Hub. The Hub will be a new multi-service, community-centred space that will provide comprehensive support under one roof. We are looking forward to moving into the Hub in the winter of 2024-25.
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