Searching for Community Legal Services

Helps to meet the individual needs of clients who are not represented by a lawyer and are entering the court system

• community resources to support families undergoing divorce or separation
• family mediation services offered in this location
• legal services and the court process
• mandatory information program on the impact of separation and divorce on children and the legal issues and court process involved
• information about the court process and court forms
• Advice Lawyer from Legal Aid Ontario who will provide summary legal advice (for those who qualify)

Information and Referral Coordinator can help you:

• understand your needs
• provide information on alternative dispute resolution options, issues related to separation and divorce and community resources
• make community referrals

COVID-19 (November 9, 2021): Provincial and legal aid offices closed to the public. Services still offered by phone. Visit the website for latest service updates.

Lawyers available to give immediate legal assistance to people who appear in court without a lawyer

• assists with criminal or family law issues
• referrals to other legal aid services

Family duty counsel:

• advice about legal rights, obligations and the court process
• help to negotiate and settle issues
• help to review or prepare court documents to be filed
• assistance in the courtroom with child protection hearings, garnishment and support hearings, requesting adjournments, arguing motions, hearings for issues such as custody, access, or support where the issues are not complicated

Criminal duty counsel:

• advice about legal rights, obligations and the court process
• assistance in the courtroom for bail hearings and sentencing
• assistance with diversion, guilty pleas and adjournments
• may also provide assistance in specialized courts such as mental health, drug treatment, domestic violence and Aboriginal persons (Gladue) court

Information on the family court process

• assistance in preparing for family court proceedings
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Child and youth advocacy centre

• confidential environment
• provides children, youth and the non-offending family members a safe and neutral setting to disclose their stories
• partner collaborations (police services, children's aid society, medical professionals, mental health professionals, victim services and prosecution professionals, etc.) collaborate to provide wrap-around services to victims or witnesses of physical abuse, sexual abuse or maltreatment

Child abuse counselling and treatment program

• no waiting period
• immediate assessment following disclosure and verification of physical and/or sexual abuse
• meets the linguistic and cultural needs of local families

Program:

• for children and youth to recover from trauma
• for young sexual offenders
• for children sexually reactive or aggressive
• average treatment period of six months

Community legal clinic

• Provides legal advice Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Employment Law
• Human Rights Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Old Age Supplement
• Ontario Works (OW)
• Tenant Law
• Victims of Crime
• Workers' Compensation/Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

Does not offer services in criminal or family law (divorce, separation, custody, support, etc.), provincial or criminal offenses

Does not advise landlords

Satellite offices are located in Alexandria and Williamsburg by appointment only

Legal clinic

Services

• employment law and workers' compensation
• Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Supplement
• human rights and victims of crime
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Ontario Works
• Tenant Law

The Alexandria and Williamsburg locations are satellite clinics. Call for an appointment.

Access to a wide range of Ontario government services and information

• staff assistance, information and referral
• computer access available

Driver and Vehicle:

• accessible parking permits
• copies of records
• drivers' licences
• enhanced drivers licences
• motorized snow vehicle permits
• off-road vehicle permits
• product sales
• vehicle permits and plates

Employment: filing of claims under Employment Standards Act, and Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act

Fish and Wildlife:

• fishing licences
• hunting licences
• outdoors cards

Forms, Publications, and Official Documents: request commissioner of oaths service

Health:

• Ontario health card registration, renewal, replacement (lost, stolen or damaged) and change of name or address
• Healthy Smiles Ontario
• organ and tissue donor registration

Housing and Property: Landlord and Tenant Board application filing

Photo Identification: Ontario Photo Card provision, renewal or replacement

Taxes: tax return or payment information on the beer tax, corporations tax insurance premium, corporations tax payment-in-lieu, debt retirement charge, employer health tax, estate administration tax, fuel tax, gasoline tax, international fuel tax agreement, land transfer tax, mining tax, retail sales tax, retail sales tax insurance premium, tobacco tax, wine tax

Access to a wide range of Ontario government services and information with staff assistance, information and referral

Driver's licence

• replace a driver's licence
• retake a driver's licence photo
• change information on a driver's licence
• convert an enhanced driver's licence to a regular driver's licence

Vehicle permits, plates and stickers

• register a vehicle
• replace a licence plate sticker
• get a temporary licence plate sticker
• change name on a vehicle permit
• change status of a vehicle permit
• replace a vehicle permit
• replace a licence plate
• replace a personalized licence plate
• order a sample personalized licence plate
• order a French slogan licence plate
• buy a personalized licence plate gift certificate
• get a dealer or service licence plate and permit
• get or replace an off-road vehicle permit
• get or replace an off-road vehicle licence plate
• get or replace a snow vehicle permit
• get a snow vehicle validation sticker

Accessible parking permit

• get an accessible parking permit
• change information on an accessible parking permit

Driver and vehicle records

• get or renew a commercial vehicle operator record
• order an off-road vehicle history record
• order a snow vehicle's history record

Health card and insurance (OHIP)

• switch to photo health card
• change the name on a health card
• replace a health card
• register to keep OHIP coverage while outside Canada

Photo card

• get an Ontario Photo Card

Authentication of documents

• Commissioner of Oaths

Access to a wide range of Ontario government services and information with staff assistance, information and referral

Driver's licence

• replace a driver's licence
• retake a driver's licence photo
• change information on a driver's licence
• convert an enhanced driver's licence to a regular driver's licence

Vehicle permits, plates and stickers

• register a vehicle
• replace a licence plate sticker
• get a temporary licence plate sticker
• change name on a vehicle permit
• change status of a vehicle permit
• replace a vehicle permit
• replace a licence plate
• replace a personalized licence plate
• order a sample personalized licence plate
• order a French slogan licence plate
• buy a personalized licence plate gift certificate
• get a dealer or service licence plate and permit
• get or replace an off-road vehicle permit
• get or replace an off-road vehicle licence plate
• get or replace a snow vehicle permit
• get a snow vehicle validation sticker

Accessible parking permit

• get an accessible parking permit
• change information on an accessible parking permit

Driver and vehicle records

• get or renew a commercial vehicle operator record
• order an off-road vehicle history record
• order a snow vehicle's history record

Health card and insurance (OHIP)

• switch to photo health card
• change the name on a health card
• replace a health card
• register to keep OHIP coverage while outside Canada

Photo card

• get an Ontario Photo Card

Authentication of documents

• Commissioner of Oaths

Access to a wide range of Ontario government services and information

• staff assistance, information and referral

Driver's licence:

• retake a driver's licence photo
• change information on a driver's licence
• convert an enhanced driver's licence to a regular driver's licence

Vehicle permits, plates and stickers:

• register a vehicle
• renew or replace a licence plate sticker
• get a temporary licence plate sticker
• change status of a vehicle permit
• replace a vehicle permit
• replace a licence plate
• order or replace a personalized licence plate
• order a sample personalized licence plate
• order a French slogan licence plate
• buy a personalized licence plate gift certificate
• get a dealer or service licence plate and permit
• get or replace an off-road vehicle permit
• get or replace an off-road vehicle licence plate
• get or replace a snow vehicle permit
• get a snow vehicle validation sticker

Accessible parking permit:

• get an accessible parking permit
• change information on an accessible parking permit
• renew or replace an accessible parking permit

Driver and vehicle records:

• get or renew a commercial vehicle operator record
• order an off-road vehicle history record
• order a snow vehicle's history record

Health card and insurance (OHIP):

• switch to photo health card
• apply for a health card
• change the name on a health card
• replace a health card
• register to keep OHIP coverage while outside Canada
• resume OHIP coverage after moving back to Ontario

Photo card: get or renew an Ontario Photo Card

Authentication of documents: Commissioner of Oaths

Organization that represents the lawyers of the United Counties of Prescott & Russell

• jurisdiction where every lawyer is functional in both of Canada's official languages
• provides continuing legal education to its members, organizes social events, and generally represents the interests of the local legal community to the Law Society of Upper Canada, government and the public

​The website is intended to assist the public in dealing with Ontario's legal system and to gain legal information

• directory of lawyers available by name, location, or areas of practice

Community legal clinic

• Provides legal advice over the phone
• May represent individuals in courts or tribunals who meet financial eligibility criteria
• Offers duty counsel
• Information and presentations about the rights of disadvantaged people
• Promotes law reform and community development
• Does not offer services in family law (divorce, separation, custody, support, etc.), provincial or criminal offenses
• Tenant's rights, Income maintenance rights (Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Canada Pensions Plan), Employment Insurance, Employment Standards, Energy Contracts

Legal clinic

Services

• tenant's rights
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• employment insurance denials
• Ontario Works
• employment standards
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

Helps to meet the individual needs of clients, particularly clients who are not represented by a lawyer

• Court staff can provide information about the court process and court forms
• Advice Lawyer from Legal Aid Ontario who will provide summary legal advice for those who qualify

Information and Referral Coordinator can provide information on:

• alternative dispute resolution options
• issues related to mediation
• community resources

Assists low-income families and individuals in maintaining their housing when facing possible eviction due to rental arrears owed

• maximum of $1,000 for single applications and $1,800 for couples and families
• the funds are available until exhausted

Community services, including:

Intake for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP):

• qualifications for reduction on electricity costs

Immigration services:

• establishment services
• counseling and assistance in immigration procedures
• application for various visas, for permanent residency, work permit, citizenship, sponsorship, etc.

Commissioners for Oaths available to validate

• oaths
• affirmations
• affidavits

Legal services:

• information and advice on immigrant and refugee rights
• guidance on judicial procedures
• defense of rights on various issues

Medical services:

• in-home doctor visits
• nursing and medical services at home

Social services:

• daycare services
• job search assistance
• job placement and internship
• support for creating and starting a business
• support for training and studies
• counselling services
• rehabilitation and monitoring of probation for minors
• radicalization prevention
• housing support services
• social activities
• interpretation and document translation
• language instruction
• placement assistance for volunteering in Africa and Canada
• financial and administrative assistance for funerary services
• maintenance of a directory for professionals and business men in Canada

Services to seniors:

• home visits
• transportation and accompaniment
• physical activity
• meditation and relaxation sessions
• foot care
• social outings

Services for individuals with a disability:

• social housing management
• budget management
• employment support
• family support

Funerals

• financial and administrative support

Access to a wide range of Ontario government services and information

• staff assistance, information and referral
• computer access available

Driver's licence:

• retake a driver's licence photo
• renew or replace a driving instructor licence
• change information on a driver's licence
• convert an enhanced driver's licence to a regular driver's licence

Vehicle permits, plates and stickers:

• register a vehicle
• renew or replace a licence plate sticker
• get a temporary licence plate sticker
• change name on a vehicle permit
• change status of a vehicle permit
• replace a vehicle permit
• replace a licence plate
• order personalized licence plate
• order a sample personalized licence plate
• order a French slogan licence plate
• buy a personalized licence plate gift certificate
• get a dealer or service licence plate and permit
• get or replace an off-road vehicle permit
• get or replace a snow vehicle permit
• get a snow vehicle validation sticker

Driver and vehicle records:

• get or renew a commercial vehicle operator record (CVOR)
• order an off-road vehicle's history record
• order a snow vehicle's history record

Accessible parking permit:

• get, renew or replace an accessible parking permit
• change information on an accessible parking permit

Health:

• change from of Ontario health card to photo health card
• apply for a health card
• change of name or address
• replace a health card
• register to keep OHIP coverage while outside Canada
• resume OHIP coverage after moving back to Ontario

Photo Identification: get, renewal or replacement Ontario photo card

Authentication of documents: Commissioner of Oaths

Fishing, hunting and camping:

• get, renew or replace Outdoors card
• change address on Outdoors card
• get a deer hunting licence for Ontario resident or for non-resident of Ontario
• get a fishing licence for Canadian resident and non-resident of Canada

Housing and Property: file an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board

Taxes:

• authorize or cancel a representative for certain tax matters
• register a corporation's tax insurance premium account
• file an estate information return
• register a mining tax account
• pay retail sales tax on a boat or used vehicle
• register a retail sales tax insurance premium account

Direction, mediation, advocacy and pre-divorce counselling to couples considering a divorce

• help with legal documentation, seminars, individual and group counselling, couples counselling and referrals to trained professionals in the field of divorce and counselling
• private counselling sessions
• couples coaching
• conflict resolution/mediation
• step parenting issues
• children and youth groups
• Parenting In The Best Interest Of The Children
• addictions counselling
• Your Relationship Blueprint
• legal service
• supervised access
• divorce information
• support and counselling
• reflexology
• Mindful Change Specialists
• referrals to other professionals in Ottawa and area

COVID-19 (May 1, 2020): All activities are postponed. The Child and Youth Counselor remain available to children and youth through telephone.

Support services for youth

• short term counselling
• support and advocacy
• crisis intervention
• workshops
• referrals to the resources in their community
• groups are also offered in area schools and during annual summer camps

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

Provides leadership within the hospital and community in protecting children and youth (under 18 years). Major emphasis on the provision of specialized medical and mental health services to children, youth and families where abuse or neglect is suspected or evident.

Components:

• consultation and co-ordination for hospital cases of suspected abuse and neglect
• assistance with urgent assessment and treatment through the Emergency Department
• medical assessment and follow-up in a specialized outpatient clinic (Historical Sexual Abuse Clinic)
• case review by the multidisciplinary inter-agency Child and Youth Protection Team
• case consultation to community professionals
• community and professional education regarding abuse and neglect
• research and publication related to child abuse and neglect
• partners in development of services and prevention programs
• advocacy on child abuse issues

Medical-legal partnership created to help families resolve legal problems that can impact a child's health or the family's ability to care for that child

• this program does not assist families with suing the doctors or the hospital

Legal services available:

• employment
• family law (information only)
• domestic abuse
• immigration
• access to social benefits
• housing
• healthcare coverage/access
• debt/creditor issues
• tax
• wills/estates
• human rights
• administrative (notarizing documents, commissioning affidavits)

COVID-19 (24 Oct 2022): Offices are currently closed and appointments are by phone. Some in-person appointments may be available going forward from November 2022. Call to confirm.

Free legal help to people of low income Specializes in problems involving:

• landlord and tenant law
• social assistance
• immigration
• employment insurance
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Also provides education on legal matters and is involved in various law reform issues

Support services to improve access to justice for people who do not speak English or French or who face a barrier to communication due to a disability, a sensory impairment or another condition

• support front-line community to develop capacity to provide appropriate legal information
• case management support
• legal and community information, referral and coordination
• website directory of legal, social and communication services
• public and staff legal education workshops