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
Harassment in the Workplace
Ontario law prohibits workplace harassment and provides rights for workers who experience harassment. Employers have obligations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “OHSA”) to address workplace harassment. Employers have additional obligations under the Human Rights Code (the “Code”), where harassment is connected to a ground of discrimination that is prohibited under the Code.
Read moreMaking Sense of Recent Announcements about Changes to the Study Permit/International Students Program
**The following information was updated March 27, 2024** Over the last several months, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has made a number of announcements about changes being made to Canada’s International Student Program and Study Permit Application Requirements. Below is a summary of the main changes. More information can be found on the Immigration,
Read moreLow-Income Energy Network – Program Information
The Low-Income Energy Network (LIEN) is a joint program of the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) and the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO). LIEN’s aim is to ensure that low-income consumers have optimal access to energy efficiency and financial assistance programs and to build local community capacity to reduce energy poverty.
Read moreHRTO finds paying newcomer less than minimum wage is citizenship-based discrimination
Second largest damages award in Tribunal’s history BY Aidan Macnab / Law Times / 15 Feb 2024 In a decision ordering the second highest damages award in its history, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal found that paying a non-citizen worker less than the minimum wage is a form of citizenship-based discrimination.
Read moreSupport for Restoring In-Person Landlord and Tenant Board Hearings
We were very pleased to see a motion at City Council from our local City Councillor, Paula Fletcher, on restoring in-person hearings at the Landlord and Tenant Board. We sent a letter in support and hope to see improvements at the LTB. Thanks to the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO) for their ongoing work and advocacy on this issue.
Read moreEntitlement to Pregnancy and Parental Leave under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act
The Employment Standards Act (ESA) establishes that employees in Ontario are entitled to take an unpaid leave of absence from their job due to pregnancy or to care for a child. To be eligible for pregnancy or parental leave under the ESA, the employee must be working in a provincially regulated industry and properly classified as an employee rather than an independent contractor.
Read moreOur Comments on the City’s 2024 Budget
It’s budget season in the City of Toronto! We sent a letter to the Budget Committee, Mayor Chow and our local City Councillors with our comments and suggestions for the 2024 budget. We believe the City should increase funding to programs that help tenants – Eviction Prevention in the Community (EPIC),
Read moreHow the Canadian Immigration System has Responded to Crises in Iran and Sudan
When a country falls into a long-lasting security crisis, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will sometimes set up special rules to make it easier for people from the affected country to come to Canada. Since these programs are not part of normal immigration law, and are often created in response to political pressure,
Read moreThe (il)Legality of Deposits
Question: I recently signed a one-year lease with a new landlord who also asked me to pay a damage deposit, a key deposit and a security deposit in order to rent the apartment. Because I desperately needed the apartment, I paid all of these deposits to my landlord. Were all of these deposits legal?
Read moreAppealing an Employment Insurance Denial to the Social Security Tribunal
People who apply for Employment Insurance (E.I.) and are denied on both the first application and on the reconsideration request may appeal that denial. The appeal at this stage goes to the Social Security Tribunal (SST). Timeline and Manner of Filing Appeal An appeal to the SST General Division must be made within 30 days from the time you receive your reconsideration decision.
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