Searching for Community Legal Services

Mediator acts as a neutral third party

• assists separating couples or disputing parties to work out their own, mutually acceptable agreement
• suitable for almost any kind of dispute including landlord/tenant complaints, consumer complaints, employer/employee and work-related issues, matrimonial, family and estate issues
• offers family mediation, Court mediation service or private mediation
• offers training courses for Mediators, Basic Family Mediation Training, Advanced Family Mediation Training and Domestic Violence Training for Mediators

A blend of remote and in-person services are now available as part of Legal Aid Ontario's transition back to providing in-person services.

• For online service go to the Legal Aid Ontario Client Portal
• see COVID-19 Legal Aid Services for more updates

Applications for legal representation available to Ontario low-income residents involved in some types of court matters:

• including family, criminal, mental health, and immigration litigation
• if a qualified applicant is approved, Legal Aid may provide partial or complete payment of the legal services provided by a lawyer
• family violence clients may qualify for two hours of free legal advice through the Women's Shelters

Those inquiring about Duty Counsel can call Legal Aid Ontario, Central District Office:

• Duty Counsel services assist with criminal and family issues
• Duty Counsel are lawyers who give immediate legal assistance to low-income people appearing in court without a lawyer
• if client has a criminal or family law issue, client should speak to Duty Counsel before court appearance
• Duty Counsel can:
  • give advice about legal rights, obligations and the court process
  • provide assistance in the courtroom for bail hearings and sentencing
  • assist with diversion, guilty pleas, and adjournments

Provides supervision and assists federal parolees as the local representative of the federal corrections of Canada.

COVID-19 Response

• do not visit a ServiceOntario centre unless completely necessary, if possible complete your transactions online
• extended expiry dates for driver's licences, health cards, Ontario Photo Cards, licence plate stickers, accessible parking permits and many more products are in effect, Extended Validation Periods

Regular Service
Access to wide range of Ontario government services, staff assistance, information and referral

Business Registrations

• basic business registration
• also Business Info Line 1-888-745-8888

Driver and Vehicle

• vehicle permits and plates
• drivers licences
• accessible parking permits
• copies of records
• product sales including information packages on specific used vehicles

Employment

• filing of claims under Employment Standards Act

Taxes

• register tax accounts
• file various tax returns
• pay various taxes
• see website for details

Fish and Wildlife

• fishing and hunting licences
• outdoors cards (ID cards which in most cases need to accompany licences)
• Outdoors Card Centre 1-800-387-7011

Forms and Official Documents

• Forms for birth certificates, marriage and death certificates and registration searches (have forms but do not process them), these forms are also available online at Registrar General's Online Certificate Application
• find a commissioner of oaths

Health Services

• Ontario health card registration, renewal, replacement (lost, stolen or damaged)
• change of name or address
• organ and tissue donor registration
• if your document from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is a Temporary Resident Permit or a Work Permit (Employment Authorization) that says valid until or issued until a specific date, you cannot obtain health card services at this office, please contact 1-866-532-3161 for further details

Landlord and Tenant

• forms and filing of forms for Landlord-Tenant issues/disputes

Motorized Snow Vehicle Permits

• permits and stickers

Occupational Health and Safety

• information and booklets can be purchased

Off Road Vehicle Permits and Plates

Passport application forms

• form pick up only, do not process applications

Photo Identification

• Ontario Photo Card provision, renewal or replacement

Public computer also available at this location

City Clerk's office oversees Legislative Services, Court Services and Enforcement Services Branches and is responsible for:

• providing information to the public concerning City Council activities
• preparing agendas and minutes for all council and committee meetings
• providing the following documents to the public: Council/Committee Minutes, By-Laws, Property deeds for City owned property only (Private deeds are kept at the Land Registry Office at the Courthouse), encroachment files
• implementing Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• processing local improvement petitions
• acting as Returning Officer responsible for conducting municipal elections, as well as election of school board members
• working in conjunction with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to prepare voters' list for municipal elections, in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act
• Commissioner for Oaths services available (by appointment) that will administer sworn affidavits (a fee is charged for commissioning services)
  • Commissioner for Oaths service has a form giving non-custodial parents permission to travel with children

COVID-19 Response

• All offices are closed to in-person meetings and services; in-person legal education and outreach activities have been suspended
• For legal services in Simcoe County call 705-326-6444 or 1-800-461-8953 Mon-Fri 9 am-12 noon, 1 pm-5 pm
• For legal services in Haliburton, Lindsay and Minden call Lisa Loader at 1-800-461-8953 Ext. 42 or email lisa.loader@shkl.clcj.ca
• Offices in Haliburton, Lindsay and Minden are open by appointment only

Regular Service
Services include:

• Disability Issues
• Income Maintenance (Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program)
• Aboriginal Justice Outreach Program
• Worker's Compensation
• Housing
• Employment
• Human Rights
• Consumer Law
• Education
• Canada Pension Disability
• Services offered over the telephone and by appointment
• Guest speakers available for community and education purposes
• Notary Public
• Commissioner of Oaths (all lawyers are Commissioners of Oaths)
• Duty Counsel for the Landlord and Tenant Board
• Do not provide family law or criminal law services

COVID-19 Response

• For women in need of support call Crisis Line at 705-728-2544 or 1-800-461-1716
• For Outreach Services, call Crisis Line 705-728-2544 for support by phone, no in-person appointments

Regular Service
Outreach office of the Women and Children's Shelter of Barrie offer:

• Individual counselling
• Legal advocacy, information and referrals
• Family Court Support
• Psycho-educational groups
• Violence Prevention Program video series for youth on topics related to healthy relationship
• Transitional and housing support services

COVID-19 Response

• For women in need of support call Crisis Line at 705-728-2544 or 1-800-461-1716
• For Outreach Services, call Crisis Line 705-728-2544 for support by phone, no in-person appointments

Regular Service
Emergency residence with 27 beds for women and their children who are experiencing abuse in their significant relationships, residential services include:

• Safe, temporary accommodation
• Crisis telephone and on site counselling
• Children's services for residents
• Legal and court support
• Information and referral
• Education, advocacy and assistance with social services including Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Program and Social Housing
• Emergency transportation if required
• Emergency Residential support for women experiencing human trafficking

Outreach services include legal advocacy and court support, individual counselling, groups, information and referral, education, advocacy,assistance with social services and community services including Barrie Food Bank

Donations of food, new household items and clothing accepted by appointment, call for information at 705-728-6300

Family Court Support Worker Program

• Information on the family court process
• Assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid)
• Referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• Safety planning
• Court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Have created a Violence Prevention video series, designed for youth, but accessible to all on a variety of topics related to healthy relationships. Visit: www.barrieshelter.com/resources/ to view the five videos. Check back as additional videos will be added soon.

Winter Sponsorship Program

• Matches families staying at the shelter and those families that access outreach services with individuals or businesses, who would like to adopt a family in need and provide a Christmas of gifts, gift cards and food gift certificate/food items
• To sponsor a family, contact the Shelter at 705-728-6300

COVID-19 Response

• No in-person service at this location but continues to provide legal aid services via telephone from Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, interpreter services are available
• For phone service
  • call Client Service Centre at 1-800-668-8258
  • call Bell Relay 1-800-855-0511
  • call 1-888-616-0119 ext.18 for family advice counsel services in the Central East District
  
  A blend of remote and in-person services are now available as part of Legal Aid Ontario's transition back to providing in-person services.
  • For online service
    • go to the Legal Aid Ontario Client Portal
  • see COVID-19 Legal Aid Services for more updates

Regular Service
Advice Lawyer for family law is a fully qualified lawyer, familiar with family law and the courts, paid by Legal Aid to give basic advice on Family Law matters

Advice Lawyer

• may assist with applications already in the court or matters that may be going to family court in the future
• may be able to assist with Family Law issues that are not necessarily going to court
• will help guide clients through the system
• will give basic advice on the presentation of material to the court
• will not give comprehensive legal advice in matters involving property or significant financial transfers or on separation agreements, but can refer to private lawyers for that type of assistance

Family Law Advice Lawyers available at offices in Barrie, Bracebridge, Orillia, Midland and Collingwood

Resource centre provides free information about family law issues to help people understand their needs and access appropriate services.

Resources and services include:

• written publications, brochures and videos about separation and divorce, family justice services and court processes
• access to court forms
• information about alternative forms of dispute resolution and family mediation
• referral to other local community resources
• Family Advice Lawyer from Legal Aid Ontario is available at designated times to provide summary legal advice

Assistance with obtaining a criminal record suspensions, known as pardons

• also have applications and information on travel waivers (document that allows Canadians with a criminal record to travel to other countries)

Francophone prevention centre for violence against women and sexual assault

• free and confidential services offered include counseling, transitional support, housing support, family court support, advocacy, representation and accompaniment (when possible)
• offer information and referrals to community services and provide resources for support (books, CD-DVD's, etc)
• services offered are available by phone, or by email, in-person services are available by appointment only

Family Court Support Worker Program
Information on the family court process

• assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid)
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Identification services offered at Barrie location

• Criminal Record checks/Police Check - CPIC Levl 1 and CPIC Level 2 (CRJMC)
• Fingerprinting - Digital
• Passport Photos
• Pardons/Record Suspension
• US Entry Waivers

COVID-19 Update

• Centre is currently closed to drop-in visitors, but remains open for investigations
• Staff are supporting children, youth and families both on-site and remotely, call 705-327-0118 for assistance

Regular Service
Safe, child-friendly centre providing services to children and youth who have experienced abuse

• multidisciplinary team members support and assist children/youth and families during the abuse disclosure process, any court proceedings and beyond
• offers a variety of abuse prevention presentations to safeguard children through discussion of healthy relationships, sexual consent, social media risks, positive decision making online, and the realities of sexual exploitation in our communities
• team members include police and child protection services, health care workers and victim services advocates

Holds an annual holiday giving campaign to support children, youth and families experiencing abuse, exploitation and/or trauma. Hope for the Holidays runs Nov 29, 2022 to January 6, 2023. Click on 'Donations & Funding' on website to make a donation.

Community Presentations
Presentations offered on Trauma and Human Trafficking

Ensures that appropriate FASD interventions and supports are put into place to mitigate the development of secondary concerns, such as disrupted school experiences, mental health challenges or trouble with the law

Service includes:

• providing FASD expertise, consultation and navigation of services for families and service providers
• developing, monitoring and updating a flexible plan based on assessment, strengths and needs, and the family's vision, goals and concerns
• working to connect and coordinate relevant services and other community supports, including health, education, youth justice, community and social services, post-secondary and employment

Housing Resource Centre to assist those looking for permanent housing, services include:

• assistance with accessing funding for rent related expenses
• assistance with accessing funding for utility related expenses. Intake provided in some areas
• assistance with accessing funding for support services needed for individuals with a disability or mental illness who are unable to live independently without care, supervision and/or support
• landlord/tenant mediation
• referrals to community resources
• maintaining a landlord registry
• maintaining a housing registry of houses, townhouses, apartments, rooms and shared accommodation
• assistance with applications for subsidized housing which must be forwarded by client
• assistance with applications for Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
• Member of the Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness

Outreach Locations
Housing Access Workers also provide support through other community agencies

• Barrie Public Library - Tue and Thu 1 pm-4:30 pm
• Ontario Works (Barrie Office) - Mon 1 pm-4 pm, Wed 9 am-12 noon
• see Outreach Locations - Drop-in

Provides municipals service

• issues licences and permits for raffles, sale of Nevada tickets, refreshment vehicles, dogs, kennels, auctioneers campgrounds
• building permits
• wide/excess load permits
• road occupancy permits
• additional entrance and special events permits

Municipal office for the town of Wasaga Beach. The municipal office has commissioner of oaths to witness affidavits and related documents, advised to call ahead.

Click on the following departments for more information:

• Animal Control and Licenses
• Municipal Law Enforcement - The By-law office issues Business Licences and enforces the Municipalities By-laws
• Building & Development Services
• Planning & Economic Initiatives
• Clerk's office - Issues Marriage Licences and the CAO & Clerk can perform marriage ceremonies. Information on the Wasaga Beach Cemetery is available in the Clerk's office.
• Fire and Emergency Management
• Recreation, Events & Facilities - click here for RecPlex, Stars Arena and Youth Centre. Wasaga Beach Municipal Dog Park is located beside the RecPlex at 1724 Mosley Street.
• Treasury
• Waste Management
• Public Library
• Property Taxes
• Public Works - Engineering - Parks
• Town Council

COVID-19 Response

• No in-person service at this location but continues to provide legal aid services via telephone from Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, interpreter services are available
• For phone service
  • call Client Service Centre at 1-800-668-8258
  • call Bell Relay 1-800-855-0511
  • call 1-888-616-0119 ext.18 for family advice counsel services in the Central East District
  
  A blend of remote and in-person services are now available as part of Legal Aid Ontario's transition back to providing in-person services.
  • For online service
    • go to the Legal Aid Ontario Client Portal
  • see COVID-19 Legal Aid Services for more updates

Regular Service
Advice Lawyer for family law is a fully qualified lawyer, familiar with family law and the courts, paid by Legal Aid to give basic advice on Family Law matters

Advice Lawyer

• may assist with applications already in the court or matters that may be going to family court in the future
• may be able to assist with Family Law issues that are not necessarily going to court
• will help guide clients through the system
• will give basic advice on the presentation of material to the court
• will not give comprehensive legal advice in matters involving property or significant financial transfers or on separation agreements, but can refer to private lawyers for that type of assistance

Family Law Advice Lawyers available at offices in Barrie, Bracebridge, Orillia, Midland and Collingwood

COVID-19 Response
The Clearview Administration Centre is open to the public Monday to Friday in person or by calling ahead and booking an appointment.
Check here for current impacts to services.

Regular Service
Administrative office for the Township of Clearview.

Services and programs include:

• Animal services
• By-law enforcement
• Building and Planning
• Legislative Services
• Emergency services
• Parks, Culture and Recreation
• Corporate Finance
• Garbage & Recycling
• Public Library
• Road Maintenance

Provides free Commissioner of Oaths services to residents. Non-residents are charged a flat fee of $15 per visit. Contact Clerk's depart for appointments.

For recreation programs and services in Clearview, click here.

Municipal Office for the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.

COVID-19 Response

• All offices are closed to in-person meetings and services; in-person legal education and outreach activities have been suspended
• for legal services in Simcoe County call 705-326-6444 or 1-800-461-8953 Mon-Fri 9 am-12 noon, 1 pm-5 pm

Regular Service
Provides free legal help to low-income people who have been:

• having problems at work
• fired
• denied Employment Insurance
• discriminated against because of disability, sex (including pregnancy), race, age, etc.
• injured at work

This can include advice and representation before the following bodies:

• Small Claims Court
• Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario
• Social Security Tribunal
• Ontario Labour Relations Board
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal

COVID-19 Response

• All offices are closed to in-person meetings and services; in-person legal education and outreach activities have been suspended
• For legal services in Simcoe County call 705-326-6444 or 1-800-461-8953 Mon-Fri 9 am-12 noon, 1 pm-5 pm
• For legal services in Haliburton, Lindsay and Minden call Lisa Loader at 1-800-461-8953 Ext. 42 or email lisa.loader@shkl.clcj.ca
• Offices in Haliburton, Lindsay and Minden are open by appointment only

Regular Service
Services include:

• Disability Issues
• Income Maintenance (Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program)
• Aboriginal Justice Outreach Program
• Worker's Compensation
• Housing
• Employment
• Human Rights
• Consumer Law
• Education
• Canada Pension Disability
• Services offered over the telephone and by appointment
• Guest speakers available for community and education purposes
• Notary Public
• Commissioner of Oaths (all lawyers are Commissioners of Oaths)
• Duty Counsel for the Landlord and Tenant Board
• Do not provide family law or criminal law services

COVID-19 Update

• Centre is currently closed to drop-in visitors, but remains open for investigations
• Staff are supporting children, youth and families both on-site and remotely, call 705-327-0118 for assistance

Regular Service
Safe, child-friendly centre providing services to children and youth who have experienced abuse

• multidisciplinary team members support and assist children/youth and families during the abuse disclosure process, any court proceedings and beyond
• offers a variety of abuse prevention presentations to safeguard children through discussion of healthy relationships, sexual consent, social media risks, positive decision making online, and the realities of sexual exploitation in our communities
• team members include police and child protection services, health care workers and victim services advocates

Holds an annual holiday giving campaign to support children, youth and families experiencing abuse, exploitation and/or trauma. Hope for the Holidays runs Nov 29, 2022 to January 6, 2023. Click on 'Donations & Funding' on website to make a donation.

Community Presentations
Presentations offered on Trauma and Human Trafficking

Resource centre provides free information about family law issues to help people understand their needs and access appropriate services.

Resources and services include:

• written publications, brochures and videos about separation and divorce, family justice services and court processes
• access to court forms
• information about alternative forms of dispute resolution and family mediation
• referral to other local community resources
• Family Advice Lawyer from Legal Aid Ontario is available at designated times to provide summary legal advice