Legal information and news from across Ontario

Our monthly newsletter highlights legal information resources, news, and events from CLEO and across Ontario. Find more resources in the Your Legal Rights collection.

New legal information resources

Refugee claim process video series

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) has produced 5 videos that are part of the IRB Ready Tours series.

The videos explain the refugee protection process and how to prepare for a hearing with the Refugee Protection Division. You can watch the videos on YouTube:

Introducing our videos
How to gather and submit evidence for your refugee protection claim
What you need to know before you attend your hearing
Your refugee protection hearing
Answering your questions about refugee claim processes and procedures

Understanding the Notwithstanding Clause

Egale Canada has an online resource that explains the Notwithstanding Clause, which is Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The guide looks at what the clause is, how it’s being used, and what people can do to protect their rights.

Legal information on the rights of queer students

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has just released Know Your Rights: A Guide for Queer Students.

This online resource explains students' rights to equality, security of the person, dignity, and privacy. It also explains the laws and policies behind these rights, as well as what to do if you think your rights have been violated.

BLAC Out Hate webinar series

The Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC) is hosting a webinar series to support members of Ontario's Black communities who experience anti-Black hate. The goal is to build community capacity to identify, cope with, and overcome anti-Black hate.

Unmasking White Supremacy in Canada's Polite Society: December 4 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Policing and the Justice System: December 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Anti-Black Hate in Education – for parents: January 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Anti-Black Hate in Education – for youth: January 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Policy, Systems & Community Resilience: February 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Mental Health: February 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Please share this information widely with clients who might be interested.

November is Make a Will month

The Ontario Bar Association’s website for Make a Will Month includes a list of information sessions and resources for the public.

CLEO Connect is hosting a webinar:

Estate planning for Indigenous Peoples living on reserve
November 28 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. EST. Register now.

And CLEO has many resources on wills:

November is also Financial Literacy Month

CLEO and Steps to Justice have information on debt and consumer rights. Topics include credit reports and counselling, payday loans, and telephone and internet scams.

ABC Life Literacy Canada has free online courses about managing money. These include their Money Matters Core Series as well as Money Matters courses for self-employment, Indigenous Peoples, and people with diverse abilities.

WomanACT also has free online courses to support the economic security of survivors of gender-based violence. These include What is Economic Abuse? and Building Financial Security for Older Survivors of Violence.

New from CLEO Connect

Resource hubs

Legal information on gender-based violence

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence runs from November 25 to December 10.

CLEO Connect has a new resource hub where you'll find tools and resources to support your clients who are survivors of gender-based violence.

Legal information for persons with disabilities

December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

CLEO Connect has a new resource hub where you'll find information and community resources to help you support people with disabilities who have law-related problems.

What's happening at CLEO

New rules for sending refugee documents

Steps to Justice has information about new rules for sending documents to the:

Refugee Protection Division (RPD) for a refugee claim
Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) for an appeal of a refused refugee claim