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Community Safety

Legal Information, Advocacy and Consumer Assistance

Automobile Protection Association

2 Carlton St
Suite 1319 Toronto, ON
M5B 1J3

Consumer information and advocacy regarding automotive industry

  • free legal advice to members, nonmembers receive basic information
  • publishes Lemon Aid, guide to new and used car recommendations, defects and re-calls

https://www.apa.ca/

apatoronto@apa.ca

Office: 416-204-1444

Office -- Mon-Fri 9 am-12 noon, 1 pm-5 pm

CLEO

180 Dundas St W
Suite 506 Toronto, ON
M5G 1Z8

Community Legal Education Ontario
Legal information available online and in print on income assistance, housing law, refugee and immigration law, employment law, family law, domestic and elder abuse, debt and consumer rights and collection agencies, health and disability, criminal law and wills and powers of attorneys

  • most publications available in French

Legal information for new Canadians -- print materials in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin and Simplified Chinese), English, French, Somali, Spanish, Tamil and Urdu

CLEO Connect, cleoconnect.ca -- provides public legal education and information to help community workers assist clients with legal problems
  • free training, tools and resources including webinars, podcasts, and research
  • ESL resources for teachers

Funded by Legal Aid Ontario, the Law Foundation of Ontario and Department of Justice Canada

https://www.cleo.on.ca

info@cleo.on.ca

Office: 416-408-4420

Fax: 416-408-4424

Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm

Community Care, St Catharines and Thorold - Homelessness Prevention Services

129 Church St
St Catharines, ON
L2R 3E2

  • Eviction Prevention and Homelessness Prevention Program
  • Identify and work closely with those at risk of homelessness due to landlord eviction or other types of housing loss
  • Referrals to legal support, income supports and other programs
  • Support solutions to tenancy issues
  • Assistance with discharge from institutions
  • ID Clinic for vulnerable people without a permanent address
  • Referrals to other resources, programs and services in the community
  • Engage with landlords and help mediate
  • Rapid rehousing for those who've lost housing in the last 30 days
  • Help finding safe alternatives to shelter
  • Assistance with the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) to lower electricity bills for low-income households.

https://www.communitycarestca.ca

housing@communitycarestca.ca

Office: 905-984-8955 ext 214

Fax: 905-984-8838

Mon-Fri 9 am- 12 noon, 1 pm-3 pm

Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario

25 Sheppard Ave W
Suite 100 Toronto, ON
M2N 6S6

Information and assistance on insurance (including life, health, property, disability, automobile), pension plans, loan and trust companies, deposit insurance, credit unions and caisses populaires, mortgage brokers, cooperatives

  • regulates industry practices, companies, agents and adjusters
  • protects interests of consumers, receives complaints
  • dispute resolution services
  • arm's length agency of Ontario Ministry of Finance

https://www.fsrao.ca/

contactcentre@fsrao.ca

Office: 416-250-7250

Toll Free TTY: 1-800-387-0584

Toll Free: 1-800-668-0128

TTY: 416-590-7108

Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm

Insurance Bureau of Canada - Consumer Information Centre

777 Bay St
Suite 1900 Toronto, ON
M5G 2C8

Handles questions and concerns about automobile, property and liability insurance

  • information on loss prevention, safety tips
  • presentations to community groups on insurance related topics
Community Assistance Mobile Pavilion (CAMP), national program to assist disaster victims at disaster sites that have significant insured damage, victims able to access insurance-related information on-site

http://www.ibc.ca/on/home

oncic@ibc.ca

Office: 416-362-2031

Crisis: 1-877-422-8477

Toll Free: 1-844-227-5422

Fax: 416-361-5952

Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm

Landlord's Self Help Centre

55 University Ave
15th Fl Toronto, ON
M5J 2H7

Community legal clinic and resource centre

  • information, referrals and summary advice on housing issues from landlord's perspective
  • educational tools
  • law reform
  • rental forms
  • funded by Legal Aid

https://landlordselfhelp.com

info@landlordselfhelp.com

Office: 416-504-5190

Toll Free: 1-800-730-3218

Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 9 am-5 pm

Law Society of Ontario - Law Society Referral Service

Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen St W
Toronto, ON
M5H 2N6

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

https://www.lso.ca/public-resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal/law-society-referral-service?lang=en-ca

lsrs@lso.ca

Office: 1-855-947-5255

Hotline: 416-947-5255

Fax: 416-947-3924

TTY: 416-644-4886

Online -- Mon-Sun 24 hours; Crisis -- Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm

Legal Aid Ontario - Legal Aid Ontario, Provincial Head Office

20 Dundas St W
Suite 730 Toronto, ON
M5G 2H1

Legal help in family, criminal, immigration and mental health matters to persons with low-income


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


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

https://www.legalaid.on.ca

info@lao.on.ca

Office: 416-979-1446

TTY Toll Free: 1-866-641-8867

Toll Free: 1-800-668-8258

Fax: 416-979-8669

TTY: 416-598-8867

Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm

Niagara Community Legal Clinic

8 Church St
2nd Fl St Catharines, ON
L2R 7A7

Provides summary legal advice, legal representation, and public education on legal matters.

Areas of law that the clinic deals with:

  • Ontario Disability Support Program
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance
  • Issues with various government agencies
  • Immigration and Refugee matters
  • Ontario Works
  • Employment Law
  • Residential Tenancies Act
  • Canada Pension Plan/Income Security Programs
  • Consumer and Debt Problems

Can also assist with:

  • Advice (free and not income tested)
  • Wills and Powers of Attorney
  • Advocacy
  • Community Organizing
  • Public Legal Education and Information
  • Law Reform
  • Representation before Courts and Tribunals

Can give legal information on:

  • Abuse and Family Violence
  • Criminal Law
  • Family Law
  • Getting Help from Lawyers and Paralegals

See website for information and tips on a variety of legal topics.

https://www.niagaracommunitylegalclinic.com

Office: 905-682-6635

Fax: 905-732-6133

Mon-Thu 8:30 am-12 noon, 1 pm-4 pm * Fri 8:30 am-12 noon by appointment

Niagara Community Legal Clinic

15 Burgar St
Suite 100 Welland, ON
L3B 2S6

Provides summary legal advice, legal representation, and public education on legal matters.

Areas of law that the clinic deals with:

  • Ontario Disability Support Program
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance
  • Issues with various government agencies
  • Immigration and Refugee matters
  • Ontario Works
  • Employment Law
  • Residential Tenancies Act
  • Canada Pension Plan/Income Security Programs
  • Consumer and Debt Problems

Can also assist with:

  • Advice (free and not income tested)
  • Wills and Powers of Attorney
  • Advocacy
  • Community Organizing
  • Public Legal Education and Information
  • Law Reform
  • Representation before Courts and Tribunals

Can give legal information on:

  • Abuse and Family Violence
  • Criminal Law
  • Family Law
  • Getting Help from Lawyers and Paralegals

See website for information and tips on a variety of legal topics.

https://www.niagaracommunitylegalclinic.com

Office: 905-682-6635

Fax: 905-732-6133

Mon-Thu 8:30 am-12 noon, 1 pm-4 pm * Fri 8:30 am-12 noon by appointment

OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance


Toronto, ON

Inquiries and complaints resolution for consumers of life and health insurance products and services including disability, employment health benefits, travel, and insurance investment products

  • online insurance finder tool
  • policy search assistance may be available in locating lost Canadian policies of deceased persons 3 months to 2 years following death -- call or visit website for details
  • consumer publications
Offices also in Montreal and Edmonton

https://olhi.ca/

Office: 1-888-295-8112

TTY: 1-800-855-0511

Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm

Ombudsman Ontario

483 Bay St
10th Flr, South Tower Toronto, ON
M5G 2C9

Children and Youth Unit will respond to calls from children and youth in care

Confidential investigation of public complaints about Ontario government services that could not be resolved through regular complaints procedures

  • includes provincial ministries, Crown corporations, tribunals, agencies, boards and commissions
  • Ontario universities and school boards
  • child protection services (handled by the Children and Youth Unit - see separate entry)
  • French language services (handled by the French Language Services Unit - see separate entry)
  • municipalities (excluding matters handled by Ombudsman Toronto - see separate entry)

Cannot deal with matters regarding federal government, courts or decisions of judges, lawyers, local police, politicians, doctors, hospitals, long-term care homes or the private sector

Operates as an office of the provincial legislature, independent of the government and political parties

https://www.ombudsman.on.ca

info@ombudsman.on.ca

Office: 416-586-3300

Fax: 1-866-863-2560

Toll Free: 1-800-263-1830

Fax: 416-586-3485

TTY: 1-866-411-4211

Mon-Fri 9 am-4:30 pm

Ontario Energy Board - Consumer Relations

2300 Yonge St
27th Fl Toronto, ON
M4P 1E4

Regulates, licenses, monitors and inspects energy industry participants including natural gas and electricity utilities

  • investigates potential violations and enforces regulations
  • regulates rates charged to customers and regulates rebates to consumers
  • online inquiry and complaint forms
  • online energy industry information and resources including lists of licensed gas marketers and electricity retailers, and bill calculators for electricity or natural gas usage
  • Help for Low Income consumers: summary of programs
  • consumer newsletters and brochures
Residential customers: disconnection for non-payment is banned from November 15 to April 30 of the following yearOntario Electricity Support Program: monthly credit reduction to the electricity bill of eligible households
  • credit amount is determined by the number of household members and the combined household after-tax income
  • households with indigenous members, electric heating, or electricity intensive medical devices may receive a higher credit
  • 2 years of support is available to most applicants
  • Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients are already eligible and must apply through their caseworker
Affordability Fund: assists electricity customers who do not qualify for low-income conservation programs N.B. not accepting new applications

http://www.oeb.ca

publicinformation@oeb.ca

Office: 416-314-2455

Toll Free TTY: 1-844-621-9977

Toll Free: 1-877-632-2727

Fax: 416-440-7656

TTY: 416-544-5190

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm

Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing - Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board

119 King St W
6th Flr Hamilton, ON
L8P 4Y7

The role of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is to:

  • resolve disputes between landlords and tenants through mediation or adjudication
  • resolve eviction applications from co-ops
  • provide information to landlords and tenants about their rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)

The LTB's customer service officers process applications, schedule hearings, and provide information to the public about the Residential Tenancies Act. Customer service officers do not provide legal advice.

https://tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/

LTB@ontario.ca

Toll Free: 1-888-332-3234

TTY: 1-800-855-0511

Contact Centre: Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm

Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council

65 Overlea Blvd
Suite 300 Toronto, ON
M4H 1P1

Administer and enforces Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA)

  • ensures registration of dealers and salespersons
  • inspects dealerships
  • receives consumer complaints
  • conducts investigations and prosecutions
  • administers the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund
  • consumer outreach and education

http://www.omvic.ca

omvic@omvic.on.ca

Office: 416-226-4500

Toll Free: 1-800-943-6002

Fax: 416-226-3208

Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm

Ontario. Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. Consumer Protection Ontario


Toronto, ON

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

https://www.ontario.ca/page/consumer-protection-ontario

consumer@ontario.ca

Office: 416-326-8800

Toll Free TTY: 1-877-666-6545

Toll Free: 1-800-889-9768

TTY: 416-229-6086

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm

Ontario. Ministry of the Attorney General, Court Services - Family Law Information Centre, St Catharines

Robert S K Welch Courthouse, 59 Church St
St Catharines, ON
L2R 7N8

A walk-in service where you can find legal and non-legal information about separation and divorce and related family law issues, family justice services, alternative forms of dispute resolution, local community resources and court processes. The program is run cooperatively between the Ministry of the Attorney General, Legal Aid Ontario and AXIS Family Mediation.

Individuals can speak with a court customer service representative, an advice lawyer (for those not in court that day), and an Information and Referral Coordinator (IRC). Each of which are available at designated times to help you understand your family court/family law related needs and to make further referrals to appropriate services.

Services are available remotely. Clients in need of Mediation, Family Law Information, Legal Advice and the Mandatory Information Program can leave a voicemail at 289-241-9099 and FLIC staff will return their call ASAP. Clients can also email info@axisfamilymediation.com.

https://www.axisfamilymediation.com

info@axisfamilymediation.com

Office: 289-241-9099

Toll Free: 1-888-988-2947 (1-888-988-AXIS)

Mon-Thu 9 am-12 noon, 1 pm-4 pm

Ontario. Ministry of the Attorney General, Court Services - Family Law Information Centre, Welland

Welland Courthouse, 102 East Main St
Welland, ON
L3B 3W6

A walk-in service where you can find legal and non-legal information about separation and divorce and related family law issues, family justice services, alternative forms of dispute resolution, local community resources and court processes. The program is run cooperatively between the Ministry of the Attorney General, Legal Aid Ontario and AXIS Family Mediation.

Individuals can speak with a court customer service representative, an advice lawyer (for those not in court that day), and an Information and Referral Coordinator (IRC). Each of which are available at designated times to help you understand your family court/family law related needs and to make further referrals to appropriate services.

Services are available remotely. Clients in need of Mediation, Family Law Information, Legal Advice and the Mandatory Information Program can leave a voicemail at 905-735-0010 ext. 299 and FLIC staff will return their call ASAP. Clients can also email info@axisfamilymediation.com.

https://www.axisfamilymediation.com

info@axisfamilymediation.com

Office: 905-735-0010 ext 299

Mon, Wed, Fri 9 am- 12 noon, 1 pm-4 pm

Pardons Canada - Information and Telephone Support Line

1376 Bathurst St
Toronto, ON
M5R 3J1

A resource and telephone support line for individuals and organizations with concerns about the negative impacts of having a criminal record

  • assists individuals who may be unemployed, have immigration problems, are young offenders or intellectually challenged
  • offers individuals direct counselling about the removal of criminal records, legal information, referrals, and reference letters

https://www.pardons.org

info@pardons.org

Office : 416-929-6011

Toll Free: 1-877-929-6011

Fax: 416-929-3651

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm