Posts in Legal
Legal Aid Ontario: Refugee and immigration legal issues

We may pay for a lawyer to represent you if you are a refugee claimant or an immigrant who qualifies for legal aid services.  If you are eligible for legal aid but do not have a lawyer, you can choose to have either a private bar or LAO staff lawyer represent you.

If you are a refugee claimant and would like further information on how LAO may be able to help you, visit our Services for refugee claimants section. An LAO representative will help you in the language of your choice (through an interpreter if necessary).

Community Legal Clinic of York Region

The Community Legal Clinic of York Region (‘CLCYR’) is a not-for-profit organization which serves low-income residents in York Region. The clinic is staffed by lawyers, paralegals and support staff and offers free legal help to those who meet our financial eligibility criteria.

CLCYR can help with legal matters relating to:

-Housing and Tenant’s Rights
-Social Assistance: Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Canada Pension Plan and Guaranteed -Income Supplement
-Criminal Injuries Compensation Board Claims
-Advice on Employment Law
-Advice on Immigration Law

*All services available from main page, easy to find, can provide legal services and information. Located in Richmond Hill, services are available in Keswick, Maple, Markham, Newmarket and Woodbridge.

John Howard Society of York Region

The organization has a Newmarket location. It provides programs and services to individuals who have been in conflict with the law or those at risk of that focus on crime prevention, intervention and reintegration. These include counselling, partner assault rehabilitation, services while incarcerated, community supports. For more information, click on Adult programs or Youth Programs from the Home Page.

Parya Trillium Foundation

To provide a safe and welcoming space to meet the social and cultural needs of the Iranian-Canadian Community with the special focus on providing programs and services to newcomers, youth, and seniors. Our aim is to strengthen the capacity of the Farsi-Speaking community through education, social integration, community development and newcomer services.

Pro Bono

This resource will outline the steps to start your own small business in terms of legal requirements and offer free advice. Call if you need help with a civil matter (no family law or criminal law).

Steps to Justice - Social Assistance (ODSP) or (OW)

Read this to learn what you can do if you disagree with a decision about assistance from Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). This can include a decision to: Refuse to give you financial assistance Reduce the amount of assistance you get Cut off your assistance. https://www.cleo.on.ca/sites/default/files/book_pdfs/apir.pdf

Sandgate, Women's Shelter of York Region Inc

Sandgate offers a wide range of services designed to support and empower women and their children who wish to transition to a life free of violence. You will find a home-like environment including;


Food, clothing, linen, personal items;
Housing support;
Access to legal and financial clinics;
Identification clinics;
Employment supports;
Personal needs allowance;
Support groups; and,
Child and youth services.