Searching for Community Legal Services

COVID-19 Update: In-person facilitation meetings, workshops and presentations cancelled; call or e-mail for information.

Services focus on independent facilitation and person-directed planning

• connecting people and families with skilled independent facilitators in their community
• offering learning opportunities, mentoring and training for independent facilitators, people with disabilities and their families
• supporting people to identify and work toward their life goals, and to become more connected to their communities
• support in decision-making and working toward chosen goals
• learning workshops and presentations; information and resources (lending library, facilitation and planning sources) available

COVID-19 Update: In-person service hours have changed, call or visit website for more information.

Official document holder for the City of Guelph responsible for recording the proceedings of Council meetings, meetings of Council Committees and keeping originals of all by-laws, minutes and official documents of Council. Services include commissioning of oaths and responding to inquiries.

City Clerk's Office includes functions under the Municipal Act, Municipal Elections Act (returning office for all municipal elections), Vital Statistics Act, Marriage Act, Planning Act, Development Charges Act, Ontario Heritage Act, and the services of a Commissioner of Oaths for witnessing signatures for certain documents (advance bookings required).

Civil marriage ceremonies (non-denominational) are performed by the Marriage Officiant in Council Chambers and other locations of choice. They may be scheduled during and outside of business hours.

COVID-19 Update: Services currently offered remotely.

Services include:

• court-based mediation (on-site), free to those on the day they are on court lists (this service, onsite, is not currently offered, anticipated for the future)
• off-site mediation services (parenting plans, child support, spousal support, property issues), with fees set on a sliding scale, currently offered both in person and distance mediation
• information about local family law related services
• mandatory information programs
• family law mediation for divorce, separation, child custody and access, child and spousal support, property division
• alternate dispute resolution

Superior Court (federal law) has jurisdiction over all cases involving divorce and division of property matters arising from a family breakdown.

Ontario Court of Justice (provincial law) has jurisdiction over all cases involving child protection, adoption, custody, access to children, child support and spousal support, family disputes including domestic violence.

Ministry of the Attorney General is responsible for administering Family Court Services - required (in some cases mandatory) proceedings of the Family Court include:

• Family Mediation Services
• Mandatory Information Programs (MIPs)
• Family Law Information Centres (FLICs)
• Dispute Resolution Officer Programs

For more information visit the Ministry of Attorney General website or Family Court Services

Free service that helps connect people seeking rental housing to landlords with vacancies in the City of Guelph and County of Wellington. Services include:

• providing choices to search, find and keep housing - up to date rental listings
• help with completing applications for rent-geared-to-income, and housing allowance and rent bank assistance
• assistance with rental arrears may be available if facing eviction
• access point for housing assistance and income supports with rent and utility costs
• information on community agencies that may be able to help with housing
• information and advice with tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities
• landlord information sessions
• resource area with telephones and computers for public use

COVID-19 Update: Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Legal Clinic is serving the community primarily by phone and email. In person appointments will be scheduled if a caseworker determines it is necessary. The Clinic is closed to walk in visitors. We will respond to your message within 48 business hours. Please indicate if you have any urgent deadlines as messages are screened and triaged and urgent matters are dealt with in priority sequence. Please leave a phone number or an email address. Please consult our website at www.gwlegalclinic.ca for information about services we provide and suggestions as to where you can get legal help.

Assists tenants who have issues with their landlord, including:

• evictions
• rent increases
• maintenance and tenant rights issues
• rent-geared-to-income housing concerns and reviews

Assists recipients who have concerns about their Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program income support including:

• eligibility
• denial or suspension of benefits
• overpayments
• assistance applying for OW or ODSP

Assists recipients who have been denied Canada Pension Plan - Disability Benefits or Employment Insurance benefits, along with other income maintenance concerns.

Assists non-unionized workers who have questions about:

• rights in the workplace including unpaid wages, leaves of absence, reprisal, termination and severance pay
• wrongful dismissal
• workplace harassment and discrimination

Provides information on consumer protection, including collection agencies, door-to-door sales, etc.

Referrals given for areas of law that the Legal Clinic does not practice, including family law, criminal law, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board matters, human rights law, traffic offences, and civil litigation issues

Legal Health Check-Up:

• online check-up to help people living in poverty to identify legal problems and get help
• without adequate money to live on, a good home or job, or family, social and health supports, an individual's legal health may be at risk

Services for women and their children who are experiencing or have experienced violence in a relationship, as well as those who have left abusive relationships or are considering leaving and want to establish violence-free lives in the community.

• risk assessment and safety planning
• access to emergency shelter
• individual and group counselling
• transitional planning
• health and wellness support
• legal information and referrals to police, lawyers, court, hospital
• advocacy and liaison with community agencies and resources
• help with custody, child support issues and getting financial support (eligibility must be established)
• accompaniment to police, court, lawyer, Crown Attorney/Legal Aid, Victim/Witness Assistance Program
• immediate telephone support and information through 24-hour Crisis Line

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

Toll free phone service provides general information on range of legal aid services ; legal, financial eligibility criteria ; legal aid application information.

Other services include:

• duty counsel (legal aid lawyer in an Ontario courthouse) - criminal, refugee and immigration, family or youth courts, mental health
• summary legal advice for family law (criminal matters referred to local services)
• certificate program for complex cases
• poverty law, civil services - delivered through community legal aid clinics
• referrals to other social assistance agencies

Duty counsel assistance for qualified applicants is available at the Guelph courthouses when court is scheduled:

• Criminal Duty Counsel - 36 Wyndham St S (Ontario Court of Justice Criminal Division)
• Family Duty Counsel - 74 Woolwich St (Ontario Court of Justice, Family and Superior Court of Justice, County of Wellington Courthouse)

Pursues three main activities:

• Direct land protection through conservation easements and land donations
• Policy development for improved farmland protection
• Research and education to advance land protection and related policy development

OTF works directly with landowners who have a desire to see their farms permanently protected for agriculture. Offers tools to landowners and community groups, such as farmland conservation easements, that can be used to protect individual properties of value to them.

OFT raises awareness of the impacts of farmland loss, the need for greater farmland preservation and the importance of land stewardship.

OFT encourages collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including farmers, local food groups, land use planners, health advocates, and government.

Works with its affiliates and unorganized labour to advance economic and social welfare of workers * extensive reference library on labour issues

Organizes monthly meetings for injured workers and people who work with injured workers.

• information on injured workers' rights
• learning how to cope with injuries
• promotes health, safety, and security of injured workers
• advice on dealing with workers' compensation system
• public education about workers' compensation issues

Actively and positively develop and sustain the integrity of its members' business - the provision of private residential rental accommodation - in the Golden Triangle.

Outreach and support services include:

• crisis support
• youth outreach program
• assistance for families and individuals to maintain safe, affordable housing
• eviction prevention
• income tax completion
• life skills and budgeting assistance
• emergency Hydro Arrears (not all utilities) available for individuals who reside within Centre Wellington and Wellington North including CW Hydro, Wellington North Power, Westario and Hydro One.
• licensed child care centre for ages 18 months-4 yrs of age. Before and After school programs offered as well at various locations in Centre Wellington.
• EarlyON Child and Family Centre programs in Centre Wellington, Wellington North, Minto, Mapleton and East Wellington.
• information and referrals
• volunteer transportation program - central intake and referral for Wellington Transportation Services
• Assistance with food insecurity
• Assistance for families and individuals who are in need of phones or internet support.
• Intake agency for the OESP (Ontario Electricity Support Program) We will assist with applications for this program.

Provides services and support to people and their families who have experienced sexual violence

• Offers individual counselling to all genders (16 years of age and older) in both Kitchener and Cambridge
• 24 Hour Support Line and support groups, advocacy, referrals, and accompaniments for women to the hospital, police, and courthouse

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

Anti-Human Trafficking Program - Wrap-around services to those experiencing sexual exploitation and those who are at risk within Waterloo Region.

• Counselling
• Advocacy
• Crisis support
• Safety planning
• Related accompaniments
• Practical assistance
• Support through legal processes
• Support with obtaining housing
• Connections to community supports
• Public education and outreach

Federation of non-profit housing co-operatives in the cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Brantford and Guelph.

Having a criminal record can be a barrier for individuals in terms of finding employment, entering educational programs, travel, acquiring citizenship and volunteering. Through the Record Suspension process a person can seal their criminal record. This process can be complex and involves several steps. This program assists clients with determining their eligibility and guiding them through the application process. Offers assistance by having a free initial consultation; providing confidential, personal and individualized service and appointments to suit the client's schedule.

Family mediation services are available at family court locations in Ontario. These services include mediation of all legal issues arising upon family breakdown: custody, access, support, and equalization of net family property.

Mediation is available on-site in the court facility, and off-site in the mediators' offices. User fees for off-site mediation are charged to clients on a sliding scale based on their income and number of dependents.

Family Law Information Centres at Family Courts provide information and help * Meet with an Advice Lawyer for free through Legal Aid Ontario

Provides free legal services in the following areas:

• Criminal legal issues
• Family legal issues
• Refugee and immigration legal issues
• Domestic violence
• Mental health legal issues

The FIT program provides centralized intake for families requesting emergency shelter

• FIT supports families with eviction prevention services, shelter diversion and rapid re-housing from shelter, with the goal of reducing or avoiding emergency shelter stays.
  
• Through a coordinated shelter intake process FIT staff assess a family's housing needs and develop a plan for best housing options.
• Family must be within seven days of losing their housing to access support.