Searching for Community Legal Services

Emotional support helpline to grandparents who have been denied access to their grandchildren

Works on the local and provincial levels with

• families
• teachers
• Boards of Education
• the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training

Offers

• better understanding of gifted and bright children
• resources
• information
• support
• extracurricular events
• information sessions
• support meetings
• web-based discussion forum

Visit the website for more information

Organization of parents and professionals who believe that most hearing impaired children can acquire almost normal language skills.

Promotes early identification of hearing loss

• early use of hearing aids or cochlear implants
• intensive auditory-verbal therapy
• emotional support
• publishes newsletters
• holds workshops
• operates book/video libraries and advocates for hearing impaired children in the school system
• many family get-togethers

Web-based directory of independent lawyers offering in-home will and power of attorney preparation services

• lawyers located across the country
• clients select their own lawyer from the list and communicate directly with them

Toll free telephone providing additional support to vulnerable clients as a result of issues accessing a computer, Internet or facing other barriers

• service for EI, CPP and OAS inquiries
• form filling assistance
• assistance for First Nations communities for tax filing
• link to tip line for reporting abuse/misuse of the Temporary Foreign Workers Program

The Federal Guidelines are a set of rules and tables used to determine child support when parents divorce, and are the law

• to establish a fair standard of support for children so that they continue to benefit from both parents' incomes after the separation or divorce
• to reduce conflict and tension between parents by making the calculation of child support more objective
• to ensure that parents and children in similar situations are treated the same
• to make the legal process more efficient and encourage settlements by giving courts and parents guidance about child support

This guide has general information, instructions and worksheets, as well as other tools to help you make decisions about child support when you separate or divorce

The Federal Child Support Guidelines: Step-by-Step

COVID-19 (May 7, 2020): Centre will no longer offer its services in person for the time being * legal information services remain available by telephone at 1-844-343-7462 during regular business hours * offering public legal education presentations remotely through Zoom to its community partners * contact for more information

Legal information and referral services offered on a confidential basis

• all areas of law
• 30 minute meeting with a lawyer, who can offer legal information
• referral service to specialized resources in the province
• help to determine the required legal forms
• offers pamphlets, resources and information tools prepared by various legal organizations
• commissioning of affidavits and notary public services

The Centre does not provide legal advice or legal assistance

Free legal advice

• provides services, without charge, to individuals affected by the crisis in Ukraine

Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada IRCC website for more information

Long-term savings plan for individuals with disabilities and their families to save for the future

• holders may be eligible for a Canada Disability Savings Grant or a Canada Disability Savings Bond to help with long-term savings

Free legal advice for low-income people

• approximately 30 minutes per visit
• civil cases only, no family or criminal

Services provided for Superior Court and Small Claims Court cases:

• explanation of the claim process (how to start a claim, how to defend a claim, considerations a person should think about before starting a claim, enforcing a judgement, etc.)
• assisting clients in interpreting court rules
• identifying the court forms a person may need
• guiding clients in completing court forms
• providing tip sheets
• identifying strengths and weaknesses of cases
• offering the use of computers and software to help create court forms
• referrals to other legal services

COVID 19: Courts are not operating as usual. Do not go to court unless you have been told to attend. Ontarians can continue to access the justice system for urgent matters, including online.

Resource centre that provides the public with information and education to help them deal with family law issues

• Information about legal services, the court process and court forms
• Advice Lawyer from Legal Aid Ontario available at designated times
• Information and Referral services to alternative dispute resolution options, community resources and family mediation services
• Information about and scheduling for the Mandatory Information Program

Service managing patient inquiries, feedback and complaints

• facilitates resolution of patient and family concerns
• proactively supports the identification, analysis and mitigation of potential risks for patients
• provides expertise, support and guidance through review of adverse events and critical incidents
• promotes and practices evidence-based decision-making
• team made up of professionals from various health care backgrounds with a wide range of skills and expertise
• respect, compassion and fairness

Document verification section of governmental department

• authentication of Canadian public documents for use abroad
• preparation of Statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad

Independent, representational, quasi-judicial tribunal

• responsible for the interpretation and application of the Canada Labor Code, Part I, Industrial Relations, and certain provisions of Part II, Occupational Health and Safety.
• responsible for the interpretation and administration of Part II (Professional Relations) of the Status of the Artist Act.

COVID-19 (November 10, 2021): Provincial and legal aid offices closed to the public. Services still offered by phone. Visit the website for latest service updates.

Provides eligible clients with a certificate that covers the cost of hiring a lawyer to deal with serious types of civil or criminal cases

• helps with separation and child custody, but not divorce
• lawyers may or may not accept Legal Aid certificates

Services

• criminal legal issues
• domestic violence
• family legal issues
• mental health issues
• refugee and immigration legal issues
• legal clinics

A one-stop, drop-in service to help people with their practical housing problems

Assistance regarding:

• housing emergencies
• evictions
• maintenance and repair problems
• illegal rents

Information:

• applications for subsidized housing
• a small list of rooms and apartments to rent
• telephones to help people looking for an apartment
• help to find programs and services in the community
• help to access Social Services

Advice:

• where to go in an emergency
• what to do in case of eviction
• how to lodge a complaint about unsafe living conditions
• what to do if the rent is illegal
• what rights tenants and landlords have
• what responsibilities tenants and landlords have

Caseworkers are available to clients by appointment only.

Municipal By-law and Regulatory Services Branch

By-laws include:

• animal care and control
• care of streets
• minimum temperature (rental units)
• parking
• inadequate yard maintenance
• business licensing
• discharge of firearms
• fence height
• noise
• park
• pool enclosures
• portable and temporary signs
• smoking in a public place or workplace
• taxis
• weeds

Unless the matter goes to court, the resident's name, address and telephone number will be kept confidential. Usually, a courtesy warning is issued for a first offense. Should the matter proceed to Court it may be necessary for the complainant to attend as witness to the violation or the case may be dismissed.

Accept payments for a variety of City products and services such as:

• tax
• parking tickets
• water and sewer payment
• permit and license renewals
• burn permits
• marriage licenses
• municipal parking permits
• Business licensing
• building and development permit applications
• recreation program registration
• Commissioner of Oaths services
• pet registrations
• snow plow license

The Client Service Centres :

• Laurier Client Service Centre in Ottawa, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave W, 1st Flr, Ottawa, K1P
• Nepean Client Service Centre, 101 Centrepointe Dr, Ottawa, K2G 5K7
• Orléans Client Service Centre, 255 Centrum Blvd, Ste 100, Ottawa, K1E 3V8
• Kanata Client Service Centre, 580 Terry Fox Drive, Main level, Kanata, K2L 4C2
• Metcalfe Client Service Centre, 8243 Victoria St, Metcalfe, K0A 2P0
• West Carleton Client Service Centre, 5670 Carp Rd, Kinburn, K0A 2H0
• North Gower Client Service Centre, 2155 Roger Stevens Dr, North Gower, K0A 2T0

Visit the website for information on what services are available at what location; note that some services aren't offered after a certain hour

The Government Service Centre in Ottawa, located at Ottawa City Hall is a one-stop service centre for access to information or services from all three levels of government (Government of Canada, Province of Ontario and City of Ottawa).

City office responsible for processing claims from people that believe the City should compensate them for an injury or damage they have experienced that they believe is the City's fault.

Typical claims include requests for compensation for:

• injuries from slipping on a sidewalk
• flooding (Sewer Back­ups)
• foundation damage from City trees
• damage to cars due to potholes
• claims Involving Private Contractors
• accidents with City vehicles

COVID-19 (24 March 2022) Encouraged to book an appointment at this centre to help reduce lineups and wait times.

Access to a wide range of Ontario government services and information with staff assistance, information and referral or computer access for online registrations. Services at this location (Visit the website to confirm availability of service and for up-to-date details within each services as they tend to vary)

• driver's licences
• vehicle permits, plates and stickers
• accessible parking permit
• driver and vehicle records
• health card and insurance (OHIP)
• organ and tissue donation
• birth, marriage and death
• photo card
• authentication of documents
• fishing, hunting and camping
• housing and property
• business registration
• corporation registration
• taxes

Independent administrative tribunal that has the power to grant, deny, revoke Parole or detain offenders

Provides information to crime victims and their families regarding:

• sentences
• eligibility for release
• review and National Parole Board hearings of federal offenders
• receives victim impact statements and updates

Independent administrative tribunal that has the power to grant, deny, revoke Parole or detain offenders

Provides information to crime victims and their families regarding:

• sentences
• eligibility for release
• review and National Parole Board hearings of federal offenders
• receives victim impact statements and updates

Issues/grants/denies/revokes record suspensions and makes recommendations for clemency

National office

• Follows the Criminal Records Act
• Supervises all record suspensions and clemency recommendations

Record suspension

• Allows people who were convicted of a criminal offense to have their criminal record kept separate from other criminal records

Clemency

Granted in exceptional circumstances. Can be requested for:

• employment
• perceived inequity
• medical conditions
• immigration to Canada
• compassion
• financial hardship

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

COVID-19 (October 7 2021): Services available by appointment only. Staff still available by phone. Many services now offered online and organisation offering volunteer outreach to isolated seniors to get food and medication to their homes. Call 613-235-4875 ext 181 to access emergency volunteer senior services (available in mandarin).

Settlement and community services agency

Orientation and Adaptation Services

• needs assessment and information and referral to community and social services
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care
• orientation within the city
• help filling out government forms including housing and immigration sponsorship forms
• community support for Chinese newcomers through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English
• workshops to reduce stress of adjusting to Canadian culture

Citizenship Preparation

• courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test
• offered on site

Language Training Services

• enhanced language training
• sector specific language training and career orientation in the fields of accounting and IT
• individual counselling and action plan development
• volunteer placement
• mentoring
• networking
• resume and interview preparation

English as a Second Language/French as a Second Language

• English or French for Life and Work in Canada
• conversation and pronunciation classes

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)

• provides basic language skills in English or French
• courses offered part-time

Employment Counselling and Preparation

• job search preparation and training
• developing strong job search strategies and workplace communication skills
• job search workshops
• on site job search and preparation training courses

Employment Counselling

• resume help
• job readiness clinic
• employment counselling
• skills and career development
• help in establishing social and professional networks

Other Settlement Services

Library Settlement Partnership

• workshops
• one-to-one counselling
• settlement referrals
• English Conversation Club

Commissioner of Oaths

• commissioner of Oaths for verifying documents (only at 400 Cooper St)

Other Services
Counselling services workshops and support groups for:

• financial difficulties
• family conflicts
• mental health issues: depression, anxiety, stress, family relationships, caregiver stress, grief and loss, parenting, effective communication, workplace stress
• problems with the law
• racial discrimination
• family law
• legal problems
• sponsorship matters
• Convention Refugee support