Searching for Community Legal Services

Information and education, outreach and tenant associations organizing, civic engagement, workshops, publications and resources; works for legislative change to benefit tenants

• monthly newsletter
• literature
• speakers

Tenant Infohub and Tenant Hotline, 416-921-9494, hotline@torontotenants.org
Responds to questions by telephone, email and social media regarding tenant rights and options; free tenant's rights counselling services for Toronto residents; not a crisis service

Tenant Defence Fund, 416-413-9442
Assists tenants disputing rent increases above annual guideline; assistance in accessing grants

Does not provide legal advice or crisis services

Provides four hours of free legal advice to those who qualify by phone or video chat from one or more lawyers on referral list

• service available anytime after assault has occurred
• Does not provide legal representation

Public information and advice on consumer rights and responsibilities, complaints and consumer protection legislation

• attempts to mediate complaints arising from regulated sectors of the marketplace, unfair business practices and from the sale of goods and services
• investigation and enforcement of consumer protection legislation
• public education and awareness programs, including online searchable business Consumer Beware List, https://www.consumerbewarelist.mgs.gov.on.ca/en/cbl/search

Free and confidential online legal advice for teens in Ontario

Free legal advice, brief services such as phone calls, drafting letters or notarizing documents and possible referrals to local pro bono law firms and legal aid clinics

• areas of law include -- child welfare, consent/capacity, criminal, education, employment, family, health care access, housing, immigration, social/income assistance (Ontario Works, assistance for children with severe disabilities, subsidized daycare, OSAP) and tax (Canada Child Benefit, disability tax credits/benefits)
• partnership with hospital

COVID19 -- closed to all in-person services until further notice, go to Legal Advice Hotline -- 1-855-255-7256 Tue-Thu 12:30 pm-4 pm

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Free legal services for persons being sued or who are suing in civil courts or require help with problems in employment law, consumer law, corporate law (non-profits, newcomer entrepreneurs and small businesses) housing issues, and Powers of Attorney

• no family or criminal law, immigration or estate administration issues
• clinic located at Small Claims Court, 47 Sheppard Ave

Education -- legal services for children with education-related problems such as accommodating disabilities or exceptionalities, bullying, or discipline matters such as suspension or expulsion

Start-ups, non-profits and charities -- business law services, including incorporation, charitable status, corporate structure, intellectual property and contracts

Legal Advice Hotline, 1-855-255-7256, Tuesday-Thursday 12:30 pm-4 pm -- up to 30 minutes free legal advice and help drafting legal documents

Workplace Sexual Harassment Hotline, 1-855-776-1855, Monday-Friday 1 pm-6 pm -- free legal advice and assistance for victims of workplace sexual harassment in Ontario

Free telephone hotline providing legal assistance to Ukrainians arriving in Canada affected by the war in Ukraine, with focus on immigration related issues, and also provides assistance and referrals for other legal issues related to resettlement, such as housing, employment

• assistance identifying nature of legal issue, advice and assistance on steps to take
• help drafting basic legal document for use in Canadian justice system
• where appropriate, referrals to pro bono and other lawyers for ongoing services
• referrals to support services

COVID19 -- office closed for visits, staff working remotely, intake line open



Free confidential service for Ontario workers who have experienced harassment and/or sexual assault in the workplace * legal information and advice, referrals * community outreach

Legal advice and support, including possible representation and application assistance for applicants to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

Non-profit, province-wide advisory organization investigating and prosecuting environmental violations

• Maintains the online Citizens Guide to Environmental Investigation and Private Prosecution

Online referral service -- www.findlegalhelp.ca

• telephone referrals for those in crisis or without internet access only
• referrals made to participating lawyer/paralegal
• lawyers/paralegals will provide up to one free half hour of consultation by telephone or in person
• fees for subsequent consultation or any legal work are negotiated with the lawyer/paralegal

Law Society Lawyer and Paralegal Directory -- www.lso.ca/public-resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal/lawyer-and-paralegal-directory

Does not provide legal advice

Accepts and investigates complaints about the conduct of Ontario lawyers and licensed paralegals

COVID19 -- serving clients by phone as much as possible * agency will continue to prepare Gladue reports and Gladue Letters and provide Court Worker services to the Toronto courts * all walk-in service, group programming, notarization, commissioning of documents and public legal education and outreach activities are currently suspended

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Community Legal Clinic 416-408-4041, fax 416-408-1568 * deals primarily with landlord and tenant issues, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP), Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD), human rights, police complaints, criminal injuries compensation, poverty law, Indian Act * no criminal or family law * may provide representation * referrals to lawyers in private practice where appropriate * law reform and public legal education activities * funded by Legal Aid Ontario

Aboriginal Court Worker Program -- support to those appearing in court * assistance in finding lawyers and contacting family members * referrals * available at all criminal courts in Toronto

Community Council Program -- criminal diversion program for young and adult Aboriginal offenders charged with a wide variety of offences * substitutes court appearance with an appearance before community members, with a disposition focusing on culture, tradition and healing

Gladue (Aboriginal Persons) Courts -- support available at Old City Hall, College Park and 1000 Finch Ave W courts

Gladue Writer/Caseworker -- call for information

Giiwedin Anang Council -- Aboriginal alternative dispute resolution for families involved in the child welfare system * family counselling delivered by community Elders and members focus on traditional teachings and Talking Circles

Legal Aid Certificate application -- for serious domestic violence, child protection or complex family law case

Family Law Services

• information
• help with documents
• referral, advice and representation
• mediation and settlement conferences
• referral to social service agencies

Manages financial and/or personal affairs of persons who are mentally incapable where no one else is able to do so

• makes medical treatment decisions for persons who are mentally incapable where no one else is able to do so
• investigates allegations of serious harm against vulnerable adults
• administers certain estates of persons who die without a will and without any family in Ontario
• deals forfeited personal property not located in, on or under forfeited land
• as the Accountant of the Superior Court of Justice retains all money, mortgages and securities paid into, or lodged with, the Court on behalf of minors and litigants
• protects the public interest in charitable property
• invests perpetual care funds of some cemeteries
• free power of attorney kits -- contact local office or visit website
• brochures available online

Personal Rights -- legal representation of children under the Courts of Justice Act in custody/access matters under the Divorce Act and Children's Law Reform Act

• legal representation of children and minor parents under the Child and Family Services Act, in child protection proceedings and Consent to Adoption matters
• preparation of reports to the court under the Courts of Justice Act in custody/access applications

Property Rights -- represents the child's interest in estate or trust matters

• provides civil legal representation for the child when there is no one willing and able to do so

COVID-19 -- operating by phone only, Toronto 416-977-8111, Toll-free 1-855-854-8111

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Represents refugee claimants at hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board, and on applications to the Federal Court

• claimants must obtain Legal Aid certificate
• lawyer and paralegal assigned to each case

Also represents immigration detainees at Toronto West Detention Centre, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Immigration Holding Centre, Vanier Centre for Women (Milton), Maplehurst Correctional Complex (Milton) and Central East Correctional Centre (Lindsay) at detention reviews on a duty counsel basis, detainees must be financially eligible for legal aid but need not obtain a certificate

COVID-19 -- offering remote and in-person services, check service updates on www.legalaid.on.ca/news/covid-19-update-on-our-client-services

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Free legal information, advice and other services

Legal Aid Certificates

• reimburses participating lawyers for services rendered on behalf of client
• client may have to agree to repay all or part of legal fees
• financial assessment required
• only granted for serious legal matters such as criminal, family or immigration and refugee law

Duty Counsel

• provides legal representation for low-income people appearing in court without a lawyer
• advice and information
• criminal, family and tenant cases
• mental health duty counsel for persons living in psychiatric facilities

Community Legal Clinics

• nonprofit independent and specialty legal centres funded by Legal Aid Ontario -- see separate entries
• legal assistance in areas such as housing law, social assistance and other income support programs
• client may be asked to contribute towards disbursements

Family Law Service Centres (FLSC)

• range of legal resources and support for family matters -- see separate entries
• located in Toronto Central, Toronto North, Newmarket, Brampton, Chatham and Sarnia
• Family Law Information Centres (FLICs) -- advice lawyer, located at certain courts

Refugee Law Office -- legal assistance to refugee claimants and immigrants eligible for legal aid, see separate entry

COVID-19 -- office closed to in-person service until further notice

Pay Equity Office

• responsible for implementing and enforcing Pay Equity Act (PEA)
• investigates and resolves complaints
• public education programs
• research on wage gap and gender economic equality
• monitors employers for compliance
• may refer disputes to Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal -- see separate listing

Reports to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

Community legal clinic

• advice and representation
• advocacy
• research and consultation for individuals
• community education
• law reform
• referrals to union organizers
• outreach, particularly to small workplaces with immigrant workforces
• funded by Legal Aid Ontario

COVID19 -- resuming in-person proceedings, phased in re-opening


In-person court appearances limited to urgent matters such as child protection proceedings and restraining orders or to cases that had to be suspended

Other matters including civil claims, small claims and family law matters being heard remotely, using video and teleconferencing

Individuals can apply for online proceedings at the following links: civil claims, small claims and family law matters


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Certificate of appointment of estate trustee either with a will or without a will * handles contested claims against estates * insurance of probate * accepts applications under the Substitute Decisions Act * file elections under the Family Law Act

COVID19 -- walk in services suspended, call 416-971-9674

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Community legal clinic

• deals primarily with immigration, tenant issues, social assistance, employment rights, human rights, poverty law
• most refugee cases referred to Legal Aid
• may provide representation
• summary advice in domestic violence and other family law cases
• community education
• speakers
• law reform
• community advocacy
• funded by Legal Aid Ontario

Conciliation and mediation services to assist trade unions and employers in bargaining collective agreements

COVID19 -- resuming in-person proceedings, phased in re-opening

In-person court appearances limited to urgent matters such as child protection proceedings and restraining orders or to cases that had to be suspended

Other matters including civil claims, small claims and family law matters being heard remotely, using video and teleconferencing

Individuals can apply for online proceedings at the following links: civil claims, small claims and family law matters


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Family court of the Superior Court of Justice

Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) -- free information and referral on family law issues

• alternative dispute resolution -- call for hours