Don Valley Community Legal Services

05/15/2026

Join us at the Thorncliffe Park Community Hub Open House on May 23rd!

DVCLS moved into the Hub in 2025 and we would love to see you at the Open House. We will have free legal information and resources, as well as ongoing info sessions throughout the afternoon.

Whether you’ve visited us before or you’re curious about what the Hub has to offer, this is your chance to explore the space, connect with your neighbors, and discover the services and programs in the Hub.

When: Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: 45 Overlea Blvd, Second Floor, East York Town Centre (use Entrance 6)
Drop in anytime — no registration needed.

The event includes:
- Guided tours of the Hub
- Meet your local service providers and partners
- Meet your neighborhood’s grassroots leaders and Resident Council members
- Fun activities and giveaways

The Hub was built with the community in mind, offering holistic services that support your health, well-being, employment, legal, settlement, and daily life. Join us to learn more about what the hub has to offer.

TNO - The Neighbourhood Organization

05/14/2026

Applying for Canadian citizenship is an important way to protect your rights. While the day-to-day life of a citizen and permanent resident may look similar, the legal difference matters. Permanent residents who travel abroad for too long, or who are convicted of crimes, can lose their status. Canadian citizens are free to travel as much as they want, and will not have their status taken away, except in a few rare exceptions.

So, when can you apply for citizenship? Learn about citizenship rules and recent changes in our latest legal information article.

The following is legal information and not legal advice. If you need further information or need legal advice, please call our Intake Line at 416-441-1764 ext. 1. This information is up to date as of May 13, 2026. Applying for Canadian citizenship is an important way to protect your rights.

05/12/2026

*Ontario is increasing ODSP rates by 1.9% effective July 2026*

This will be the fifth increase to ODSP rates since September 2022 and rates will have increased by more than 22% since then. ODSP rates are tied to inflation and adjusted annually in July.

The 2026 inflation-based increase to ODSP will take effect on July 1, 2026. People receiving ODSP will see an inflation-based increase of 1.9% to:

- basic needs and shelter maximum amounts for individuals and families
- board and lodge amounts for individuals and families
- the amount provided for a couple if both people have disabilities
- amounts for services provided by a long-term care home or a specialized care residence

ODSP website:

Find information about income support, benefits for health costs and other disability supports from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).Apply for ODSP

04/22/2026

In Ontario, employers have legal obligations regarding how employees are paid. Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”), employers must pay wages properly and on time, provide wage statements (commonly referred to as “pay stubs”) and follow strict rules when making deductions from wages.

Understanding the law can help you recognize how to be paid properly, when your worker’s rights have been violated and what steps to take if your wages are missing or incorrect.

Read our latest legal information article:

Article written by: Mahnoor Fatima, Student-at-Law The following is legal information and not legal advice. If you need further information or need legal advice, please call our Intake Line at 416-441-1764 ext. 1. In Ontario, employers have legal obligations regarding how employees are paid. Under t...

04/07/2026

Applications and support for the 2026 Air Conditioner Assistance Program will be open April 7 to 21. Low-income seniors, pregnant individuals and families with infants are eligible to apply for a free portable AC unit. Supply is limited. Check eligibility and apply at toronto.ca/ACprogram.

04/01/2026

Happy Easter!
Chag Pesach Sameach!
Happy Spring! 🌷

We are closed Friday, April 3rd and Monday, April 6th

03/31/2026

We're sharing this important information from our friends at the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE).

NOT ALONE: Senior Scam Stories
*Empowering Seniors against Targeted Scams and Frauds through Storytelling*

Empowering Seniors against Targeted Scams and Frauds through Storytelling Real Experiences, Legal Guidance & Prevention Tips Fraud and scams are increasingly targeting older adults across Canada. Behind every statistic is a real person — a parent, a neighbour, a friend — whose trust was exploite...

03/19/2026

03/11/2026

Thank you Mayor Olivia Chow for visiting the legal clinic last week! We appreciate the time you took to meet with us and hear about the issues our clients face - especially renters.

We have seen a significant decrease in renoviction cases and we can see the new bylaw is working. Thank you for supporting the renovictions bylaw and speaking to us about how it has impacted our clients since it came into effect last year.

We were pleased to see your motion at the Executive Committee and your commitment to helping the tenants of 500 Dawes.

We need to keep protecting tenants and the affordable housing we already have.

02/25/2026

Community Legal Clinics Win Major Human Rights Decision at Divisional Court of Ontario

The Divisional Court of Ontario has released a new decision, Bokhari v. Top Medical Transportation Services, 2026 ONSC 1073, with significant implications for individuals with claims before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

“This is a significant victory for access to justice and the protection of human rights in Ontario,” said Richa Oza, Staff Lawyer at Don Valley Community Legal Services. “Over the last five years, advocates have been sounding the alarm about the Tribunal’s use of “jurisdictional” screening to dismiss cases that it was actually required to hear. This decision has unequivocally told the Tribunal that this practice is contrary to the law and the Human Rights Code, and it has to stop.”

Congratulations to those involved in this case, including DVCLS' Richa Oza, Nabila F. Qureshi from the Income Security Advocacy Centre - ISAC, and Anna Rosenbluth from the Clinic Resource Office

Five other organizations intervened in the case: The Ontario Human Rights Commission, ARCH Disability Law Centre, BLAC (Black Legal Action Centre), the Migrant Workers Coalition, and the Human Rights Legal Support Centre

Read our joint press release here: https://www.donvalleylegal.ca/blog/community-legal-clinics-win-major-human-rights-decision-at-divisional-court-of-ontario/