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

COVID19 -- service by phone, no in person meetings or public education activities * intake Mon, Wed, Fri 9 am-5 pm

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Community legal clinic

• advice, representation, referrals, advocacy
• areas of law include privacy, social assistance, immigration, housing/tenant, pensions, Employment Insurance (EI), private insurance benefits, health, criminal, prison (HIV-related), human rights, substitute decision making and powers of attorney
• community legal education speakers and publications
•  law reform and test case litigation
• funded by Legal Aid Ontario, AIDS Bureau (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care), foundations and donors
• also known as HALCO

COVID19 Update: Court case backlog -- clients may experience difficulties contacting local offices and should leave a message with return phone number;  VWAP staff will return voicemail as soon as possible 


Information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
• court preparation
• needs assessment
• emotional support
• crisis intervention
• referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court

• travel arrangements and expenses
• language interpretation
• real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Operates a short term 10-bed emergency shelter for women who have been victims of physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse, and their children

• Provides public education workshops and seminars to raise awareness about the issues and impacts of violence against women and children
• Gratefully accepts donations of money, furniture, lightly used clothing or any household items or appliances

Services provided include:

• 24-hour crisis line
• Advocacy
• Child Support Worker
• Counselling support
• Court accompaniment and referrals
• Emergency transportation
• Referral to community services
• Transition and safety planning

Transitional Support Services
Provides assistance in safety planning for women and their children through the following services:

• Counselling
• Educational upgrading
• Health and wellness services
• Housing
• Income support
• Job training
• Legal assistance/legal aid
• Parental support

Interpreters, including interpreters for women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual violence, as well as those who have been sexually exploited through human trafficking * certified translations * interpreter training * language testing * language consulting * social enterprise

Operates an emergency shelter for abused women and their children

• Provides a 24-hour crisis line
• Offers short-term support counselling and transitional housing
• Provides advocacy and referrals to appropriate community supports and resources
• Provides outreach services such as understanding options in making life choices and offering assistance in accessing housing, legal and other community services

Also provides the following programs and services:

• Larry's Place Men's Shelter
• On-site Pet Shelter, including a Pet Therapy program
• Something More Lawrence House (second-stage housing)

Operates an emergency men's shelter

• Offers a six-bed two-storey home for displaced men and their children
• Includes a garage, two common rooms, a full kitchen and private backyard
• Provides access to the programs/services (such as advocacy and counselling) offered through the Shelter

COVID-19 (23 April 2020) The Francophone helpline for women dealing with violence remains open. Call 1 877-336-2433 for assistance.This information is regularly updated on their website.Free, confidential 24-hour support and crisis line for French-speaking women, victims and survivors of violence of any formCrisis intervention services * emotional and psychological support * security plan * information and referral support to local, regional and provincial service providers

Provides legal assistance for low-income people
Services include:

• Legal representation for eligible clients who appear in court without a lawyer
• Legal aid applications and information over the phone
• Legal resources and referrals to other social assistance agencies
• A certificate program for complex and serious cases

Areas of law served include:

• Criminal
• Domestic violence
• Family

Does NOT cover applications for:

• Wrongful dismissal
• Change of name
• Personal bankruptcy
• Power of attorney
• Money lent to others or money owed to others
• Sponsorship of relatives
• Commercial litigation
• Real estate matters and libel
• Defamation and slander

COVID-19 -- provincial and legal aid offices closed to the public * continue to provide help over the phone * 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

LawFacts, www.lawfacts.ca -- online legal information

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 -- www2.lsuc.on.ca/LawyerParalegalDirectory/

Does not provide legal advice

COVID19 -- Call main hospital switchboard or visit website to find updates to current screening and visiting policies


Pediatric acute care hospital

• dental clinic
• epilepsy classroom for children with intractable epilepsy
• psychiatry

International Patient Office-- 416-813-7654 ext. 228917

• for out of country families seeking to arrange treatment for their child
• Herbie Fund -- provides financial support for children from around the world requiring treatment not available in their own countries to receive surgical care at SickKids in Toronto

SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect) Program-- 416-813-6275, Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm * 416-813-7500 after hours

• assessment of child abuse and neglect
• care and support for children and teenagers who may have been mistreated
• referrals for parents/guardians
• consultation for medical professionals and community workers regarding child abuse and neglect

Lotus Health -- Call or text 437-226-3579, responses within one business day; for urgent concerns call 416-813-7500 and request that SCAN be paged

• health and advocacy program for children and youth under the age of 18 years who have experienced, are currently experiencing, or may be at risk of experiencing commercial sexual exploitation or trafficking
• coordinated approach to care

Ontario Poison Centre -- see separate entry

SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health (formerly Hincks-Dellcrest Centre) -- see separate entries

Francophone helpline for women

• crisis intervention
• support and referral to community agencies
• educational workshops
• confidential calls

• Provides free legal advice and representation to eligible clients in certain areas of law
• Assists individuals representing themselves or in making official complaints
• Speaks to community groups, agencies and educational groups on a wide range of legal topics
• Answers questions on specific points of law and/or refers individuals to other agencies

Areas of focus include:

• Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security
• Criminal Injuries Compensation
• Employment Insurance
• Human rights
• Rent increases and rent review
• Tenant rights
• Social assistance, including Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program benefits and family benefits

Note: May be able to assist with commissioning affidavits and/or notarizing documents in the areas of laws practiced

• Provides legal assistance for low income individuals
• Participates in public legal education, law reform, and community development projects

Provides advice and representation in area of law which include:

• Tenant Rights
• Ontario Works
• Ontario Disability Support Program
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Criminal Injuries Compensation
• Native Issues
• Pardons
• Small Claims Court matters
• Will Preparation and Power of Attorney

Telephone response to persons in need of immediate emotional support, crisis intervention or suicide prevention * links to other emergency services or professional help as appropriate * callers' issues include domestic violence, mental health crisis, risk of suicide, social isolation, addictions, mental and physical health concerns * Caller Reassurance Program for vulnerable seniors * Survivor Support Program, see separate entry

Distress and Crisis Ontario (DCO) is the provincial networking organization that supports and helps build and sustain the capacity of its member agencies in the continuum of support, referral and mental health services offered to the people of Ontario. At a Distress Centre, individuals can find a listening ear for lonely, depressed, and/or suicidal people, usually 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many centres also have Suicide Survivor programs, support services for youth, telephone call out programs for seniors and vulnerable people, mental health Crisis Phone Lines, Online Chat services and much more. For a listing of member agencies,click here.ONTX Ontario Online & Text Crisis ServiceHow to Chat* Chat is available on computer, or mobile device from 2 pm-2 am daily * Click Here to access. * Will need to complete a pre-chat survey, agree to terms and conditions of service, and a responder will be available.How to Text* Text is available from mobile phone from 2 pm-2 am daily and is accessed by dialing 258258.* Will need to complete a pre-chat survey, agree to terms and conditions of service, and a responder will be available.

COVID19-- all front line counter services closed to public, submit supporting documentation for claim by email or fax, mail or courier. Courier mail to Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, 25 Grosvenor St, 4th Floor, Toronto, M7A 1R1

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board has wound down and is no longer accepting new applications.

Administers Compensation for Victims of Crime Act * payments may be awarded for pain and suffering, lost pay due to inability to work, loss of support for dependants as a result of the victim's death, support of a child born as a result of rape, medical expenses, funeral expenses, other related costs * part of Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General



For applications not yet decided by the Board, maximum single payment amount has been increased to $30,000 from $25,000 and pain and suffering award has been capped at $5,000

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

Assists Francophone women who have experienced any form of violenceOffers a variety of services to French speaking women, including the following:

• Fem'aide, a 24-hour crisis telephone service
• Individual intervention as well as group intervention
• Accompaniment, referral and representation services
• Crisis intervention services
• Prevention, awareness and education

Satellite offices located in the following areas

• Elliot Lake
• Sault Ste Marie
• Wawa

COVID19 -- service available by phone or email, no walk-in service * call 647-563-4201 or for legal inquiries, 647-462-3164 * also emai for settlement matters - settlement@spanishservices.org ; for domestic violence matters - womenshelp@spanishservices.org ; for legal matters
- legalclinic@spanishservices.org ; for HIV/AIDS related matters - prevention@spanishservices.org



Deals primarily with employment rights, human rights, immigration, social assistance, refugees, tenant issues, Employment Insurance (EI) * law reform * funded by Legal Aid Ontario

COVID-19 (23 April 2020) Counseling sessions will be provided via distance counseling. Open for new intakes and for all current clients.Information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.Offers counselling for survivors of trauma and abuse * provides short-term and long-term therapy * specialized services and resources for child pornography and prostitution survivors, human trafficking * Go to Meeting or telephone counselling available for clients who live in other areas or who cannot attend the office

Telephone crisis and support line, includes emotional support, safety planning and information and referrals * online live chat -- confidential and anonymous online counselling

Telephone and online (chat) crisis counselling, emotional support, information and referrals to emergency shelters, legal information and community services, as well as culturally appropriate resources for abused women * liaison with diverse communities * confidential and anonymous

Toronto only -- initial assessment and intake for assaulted women's shelters, call 416-863-0511 or toll free 1-866-863-0511

COVID19 Update: Court case backlog -- clients may experience difficulties contacting local offices and should leave a message with return phone number;  VWAP staff will return voicemail as soon as possible 


Information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
• court preparation
• needs assessment
• emotional support
• crisis intervention
• referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court

• travel arrangements and expenses
• language interpretation
• real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities