Community Resources
Steps to Justice gives reliable and practical information on common legal problems including:
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step-by-step information to help you work through your legal problems
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practical tools, such as checklists, fillable forms, and self-help guides
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referral information for legal and social services across Ontario
Our work focuses on providing information to people who face barriers to accessing the justice system, including income, disability, literacy, and language. As a community legal clinic and part of Ontario's legal aid system, we work in partnership with other legal clinics and community organizations across the province.
The Workers’ Action Centre (WAC) is a worker-based organization. We are committed to improving the lives and working conditions of people in low-wage and unstable employment. Thousands of working families are struggling to make ends meet, so we take action and organize for decent work. We believe that the leaders in the fight for decent work should be the workers directly affected by poor working conditions. Workers have firsthand experience of problems at work, and have the best insight into what will bring fairness and dignity to Ontario’s workplaces.
Ontario.ca is the official website of the Ontario Government.
-Karen McArthur , President and CEO
The Portia Learning Centre Inc.
(POWER) is a bilingual, sex positive organization created by and for sex workers that works to further the rights of sex workers as workers and human beings.
Service Canada provides Canadians with a single point of access to a wide range of government services and benefits. We are committed to improving services for Canadians by working with partners to provide access to the full range of government services and benefits that Canadians want and need through the Internet, by telephone, in person or by mail.
Through the ministry's key areas of occupational health and safety, employment rights and responsibilities, and labour relations, the ministry's mandate is to set, communicate and enforce workplace standards while encouraging greater workplace self-reliance. The Ministry also develops, coordinates and implements strategies to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses and can set standards for health and safety training.
Many of our clients are vulnerable individuals who desperately need help with everyday legal problems. These include frail people on fixed incomes who have fallen prey to predatory lending schemes, caregivers facing job loss when tending to sick relatives, children facing barriers to their education, or self-employed contractors struggling to collect monies owed. These and other struggling groups approach us by the thousands for help. Our services prevent a spiral of costly social problems, and often mean the difference between shelter and homelessness, food on the table and hunger, economic stability and bankruptcy, productive work and unemployment.
The Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) is an independent agency, funded by the Government of Ontario, to provide legal services to individuals who have experienced discrimination. The HRLSC provides legal assistance to individuals when they take an application to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario to resolve a human rights dispute.
The Association for New Canadians (ANC) is a non-profit, community-based organization delivering settlement and integration services to immigrants and refugees in Newfoundland and Labrador. For 40 years, the Association has delivered programs and services that support all aspects of immigrant integration, ranging from settlement information and orientation to language learning, skills development and employment.
Glad Day is uniquely positioned to be able to identify and support LGBTQ2S artists, performers and tip-based workers who are in dire financial need. Our connections to community run deep and already we have been overwhelmed with the number of people who have reached out to us, shocked, desperate and no idea how they are going to get through the next few days, much less the next week or month.
The Canadian Federation of Musicians helps thousands of musicians who need assistance with any number of issues related to the recording and performing of their craft. With specialized services ranging from immigration, media recordings, symphonic and theatrical matters, touring, freelance musicians and membership services, contract negotiations and administration, royalty streams, and more, CFM helps its membership take best advantage of all career opportunities and optimize the level of their professional working environment.
Employment lawyers at the Dutton Employment Law group at Monkhouse Law provide various different cost structures, making it affordable for all clients. They offer different rates for different levels of employment lawyers (based on the seniority of the lawyer), contingency, and fixed fees. In addition, they have paralegals for matters below $25,000.
Our goal is to improve the quality of life of the citizens of the southern West Island and to promote social development. Social development allows us to establish and promote opportunities for citizens and communities to develop their potential, actively participate in social life and to take their fair share of the collective wealth. Social development allows the community to progress socially, culturally, economically and in a context where economic development is moving towards sustainable development in connection with principles of social justice.
COVID Law Hive provides free legal advice on employment, housing and family issues during COVID. Browse their FAQs or send them a message on their website. Responses can be provided in English, French or Arabic.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union, with 700,000 members across the country. CUPE represents workers in health care, emergency services, education, early learning and child care, municipalities, social services, libraries, utilities, transportation, airlines and more. We have more than 70 offices across the country, in every province.
Since 1871, the Labour Council has championed principles which improve the lives of its members and their communities. Today, we work for justice in our workplaces, in our politics, in our communities, and in our world.
Moving to a new country can be exciting and challenging. Find information about what to expect when you arrive, residency and immigration status, and your rights and responsibilities in Canada.
Our mission is to promote and enforce human rights, to engage in relationships that embody the principles of dignity and respect, and to create a culture of human rights compliance and accountability. We act as a driver for social change based on principles of substantive equality. We accomplish our mission by exposing, challenging and ending entrenched and widespread structures and systems of discrimination through education, policy development, public inquiries and litigation.
The Ontario Legal Information Centre (the Centre) offers a free 30-minute meeting with a lawyer to any Ontario resident or any person faced with a legal situation in Ontario.
There are no admissibility criteria and questions can involve any field of law. Services are confidential, offered in person or by telephone, in French and in English. A person can visit the Centre more than one time depending on their needs.
Offering services for criminal, mental health, refugee and immigration, and family legal issues, as well as domestic violence services during COVID-19. Also provides assistance if you were denied access to Ontario Works / Ontario Disability Support Program, are in need of income supports and/or facing eviction. Toll free number to apply: 1-800-668-8258.
Office locator for Ontario Works and ODSP. Good as a reference for clients who are indigenous or under 18 years old and need emergency short term financial relief
PRO-GAM is an intervention, training, research, awareness, prevention and information organization in domestic violence. If you feel you are experiencing domestic violence during COVID
Entrust us with your project ideas involving the delivery of legal information, legal education, and simplification of legal content. Our team of lawyers, communicators, and educators will help you make them happen! We use a collaborative approach and will propose turnkey service offers tailored to your needs and objectives, from project conceptualization to completion.
Household and farm workers are a vital part of any society, both in urban and rural areas. In Canada, a significant portion of these workers migrate from other countries as a response to persistent labour shortages. Despite being formally guaranteed the same rights as Canadian workers, the government imposes on these (im)migrants employer-tied legal status/work authorization. Most of these workers are also collectively denied access to family unification procedures and permanent legal status
WRAP is a hotline for Ottawa workers looking for information and support. Problems at Work? Questions about your rights? Are you worried about health and safety or income support because of COVID19?
Through our dedication to providing the best available resources for providers, we created and actively update this province-wide list of assessment centres that either test for COVID-19 on site or refer patients with probable cases for testing (screening centres that do not test or refer for tests are not included).
View the Keep Your Rent - Ottawa website, via the Herongate Tenant Coalition, for information on renters’ rights and what to do if you cannot pay your rent.
Reddit thread tracking Covid-19 cases and news in Ottawa
Family Services Ottawa provides online counselling for individuals and families in crisis and support services online during covid-19.
Unsafe at Home Ottawa is a secure text and online chat service for women who may be living through increased violence and abuse at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our counsellors provide emotional support, practical advice and referrals.
The CRVC provides support and guidance to individual victims of crime and their families. They have a new text and live chat service and a toll free information and support line.
Talk 4 Healing is a culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario.
Minwaashin Lodge provides a range of programs and services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis children (regardless of status) who are survivors of domestic and other forms of violence. Some essential services are continuing to be provided such as emergency baby and food boxes and online counselling
The Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre (ORCC) supports and empowers trans and cis women, trans men, two-spirit, gender-fluid, and non-binary survivors
Planned Parenthood Ottawa (PPO) is a not-for-profit organization that provides a range of services and information for people in the Ottawa area to make healthy decisions about their health, bodies and relationships. Education, counselling, information, and referral services are provided in a safe environment, free of judgment, with a full understanding of options and choices that best suit you
Immigrant Women Services Ottawa is a community based agency serving immigrant and visible minority women. We create opportunities for women as they integrate into a new society, rebuild their lives free of violence, and achieve their personal goals. They offer crisis intervention and counselling, interpretation and translation, and settlement and integration services.
Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis - for the trans community, by the trans community.
Criminalization and Punishment Education Project runs a Jail Accountability and Information Line which takes calls from prisoners and their loved ones.
Local connection to mental health support and resources for the Centre of Ottawa and Region
Maison Unies.vers.Femmes is in Gatineau Quebec and provides a shelter for women victims of domestic violence and their children. They also provide external services over the phone, via email, on social media and in person, without an appointment. All according to the needs of women and children. Only appointments for youth monitoring will be required.
La Maison Libère-Elles is a charitable organization whose mission is to provide specialized assistance and accommodation to women victims of violence or having temporary difficulties, as well as to their children. They offer a welcoming, safe and confidential living environment.