Health & Wellness (Display All)
- Abuse/Violence Related Support
- Addictions Support
- Bereavement Support
- Condition Specific Care and Health/Disability Support Groups
- Dementia/Alzheimer Supports and Services
- Falls Prevention Programs/Education
- Hospitals and Diagnostic Imaging/Radiology
- Home Health Care, Palliative Care, Respite Care and Homemaker Assistance
- Mental Health Services and Adult Protective Services
- Physiotherapy Programs and Rehabilitation
- Physician Referrals and Medical Information Services
- Podiatry/Foot Care
- Walk-In Medical Clinics
- Warmlines and Crisis Lines
- Wellness Programs
Local Community Leisure Guides in Niagara
Community Safety
Legal Information, Advocacy and Consumer Assistance
Automobile Protection Association
2 Carlton StSuite 1319 Toronto, ONM5B 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
Office: 416-204-1444
Office -- Mon-Fri 9 am-12 noon, 1:00 pm-4:30 pm
CLEO
180 Dundas St WSuite 506 Toronto, ONM5G 1Z8
Community Legal Education Ontario
Legal information available online and in print on income assistance, tenant law, refugee and immigration law, employment law, family law, domestic and elder abuse, debt and consumer rights and collection agencies, health and disability, some criminal issues
- ESL resources for teachers
- most publications available in French
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
Funded by Legal Aid Ontario, the Law Foundation of Ontario and Department of Justice Canadainfo@cleo.on.ca
Office: 416-408-4420
Fax: 416-408-4424
Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm
Community Care, St Catharines and Thorold - Housing Help Centre
129 Church St St Catharines, ONL2R 3E2
Provides a free and confidential housing referral and consultation service.
Helps with:
- assistance and information to help solve housing problems
- people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless to find and maintain permanent accommodation within the local community
- landlords to find tenants and helps to resolve conflicts between landlords and tenants
- basic information on the Residential Tenancies Act
- money management - trusteeship service (including youth 16-24)
- regional identification clinic
https://www.communitycarestca.ca
hhc@communitycarestca.caOffice: 905-984-8955
Fax: 905-984-8838
Mon-Fri 9 am-3 pm
Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario
25 Sheppard Ave WSuite 100 Toronto, ONM2N 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
Call 416-250-1422, 1-800-268-7188
- provides compensation to people injured in automobile accidents when no automobile insurance exists to respond to the claim
Office: 416-250-7250
Toll Free: 1-800-668-0128
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm ; closed statutory holidays
Insurance Bureau of Canada - Consumer Information Centre
777 Bay StSuite 2400 Toronto, ONM5G 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
Office: 416-362-2031
Stop Insurance Crime: 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 Ave15th Fl Toronto, ONM5J 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
Office: 416-504-5190
Toll Free: 1-800-730-3218
Fax: 416-504-1932
Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 9 am-5 pm
Law Society of Ontario - Law Society Referral Service
Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen St W Toronto, ONM5H 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
Does not provide legal advicelsrs@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 WSuite 730 Toronto, ONM5G 2H1
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
info@lao.on.ca
Office: 416-979-1446
Toll Free: Ontario-wide 1-800-668-8258; free from any pay phone, collect calls accepted
Fax: 416-979-8669
TTY: 416-598-8867; toll-free 1-866-641-8867
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm
Niagara Community Legal Clinic
8 Church St2nd Fl St Catharines, ONL2R 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
- 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
Satellite locations (by appointment only):
Canadian Mental Health Association
20 Jarvis Street, Fort Erie
Tuesdays
Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold
19 Albert Street West, Thorold
Wednesdays
Port Cares
92 Charlotte Street, Port Colborne
Thursdays
Lighthouse Church
241 Elmwood, Crystal Beach
Thursdays
www.niagaracommunitylegalclinic.com
Office: 905-682-6635
Toll Free: 1-877-801-5956
Mon-Fri 8:30 am-12 noon
Niagara Community Legal Clinic
15 Burgar StSuite 100 Welland, ONL3B 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
- 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
Satellite locations (by appointment only):
Canadian Mental Health Association
20 Jarvis Street, Fort Erie
Tuesdays
Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold
19 Albert Street West, Thorold
Wednesdays
Port Cares
92 Charlotte Street, Port Colborne
Thursdays
Lighthouse Church
241 Elmwood, Crystal Beach
Thursdays
www.niagaracommunitylegalclinic.com
Office: 905-682-6635
Toll Free: 1-877-801-5956
Mon-Fri 8:30 am-12 noon
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
Office: 1-888-295-8112
TTY: 1-800-855-0511
Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm
Ombudsman Ontario
483 Bay St10th Flr, South Tower Toronto, ONM5G 2C9
COVID-19 -- Office currently closed to in-person service
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)
Operates as an office of the provincial legislature, independent of the government and political partiesinfo@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 St27th Fl Toronto, ONM4P 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, www.oeb.ca/rates-and-your-bill/help-low-income-consumers
- consumer newsletters and brochures
- electricity providers are required to reconnect customers without power before the start of the disconnection ban period and waive any charges due to reconnection, including Collection of Accounts service fees
- for more details www.oeb.ca/newsroom/2017/ban-disconnection-homes-winter-customers-electricity-distributors-frequently-asked
Office: 416-314-2455
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
Ellen Fairclough Bldg; 119 King St W6th Flr Hamilton, ONL8P 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/
SO-ltb@ontario.caToll Free: 1-888-332-3234
TTY: 1-800-855-0511
Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm
Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council
65 Overlea BlvdSuite 300 Toronto, ONM4H 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
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
http://www.ontario.ca/consumer
consumer@ontario.caOffice: 416-326-8800
Toll Free: 1-800-889-9768
TTY: 416-229-6086
Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm, taped information available Mon-Sun 24 hours
Ontario. Ministry of the Attorney General, Court Services - Family Law Information Centre, St Catharines
Robert S K Welch Courthouse; 59 Church St St Catharines, ONL2R 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.comOffice: 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, ONL3B 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.comOffice: 905-735-0010 ext 299
Mon, Wed, Fri 9 am- 12 noon, 1 pm-4 pm
Pardons Canada - Information and Telephone Support Line
45 St Clair Ave WSuite 901 Toronto, ONM4V 1K9
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
Office : 416-929-6011
Toll Free: 1-877-929-6011
Fax: 416-929-3651
Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm
Start Me Up Niagara - Homelessness Prevention
17 Gale Cres St Catharines, ONL2R 3K8
Individualized advocacy and support to maintain housing for those who have experienced chronic homelessness or at imminent risk of housing loss.
- Assistance with landlord disputes and negotiations
- Help accessing available community supports
- Strong relations with landlords to provide affordable housing
- Help accessing available community supports through partnerships (mental health and addictions)
- One on on individualized support and case management (life stabilization and independence)
https://www.startmeupniagara.ca
info@startmeupniagara.caOffice: 905-984-5310
Fax: 905-984-8949
Mon-Fri 9 am-12:30 noon, 1 pm-4 pm
