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.

Information and resources

Support for males who have experienced sexual abuse

Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General offers support services for males who have experienced sexual abuse recently or in the past. The support includes a hotline for free 24/7 crisis and referral services in many languages. It also includes a victim support directory and map to find counselling, peer support, and other community services.

Information about the disability tax credit

Connecting Ottawa has updated their info sheet on the disability tax credit (DTC), which is now available in English, French, and Arabic. It covers who is eligible for the credit, how to apply, and what to do if an application is denied.

Supporting survivors of intimate partner violence in family court

Luke’s Place has launched the new website After she leaves for community workers supporting women who have experienced violence from their intimate partner. The site gives community workers the information they need to offer effective family court support in Ontario.

Helping newcomers deal with hate

Refugee 613 has a new series of infographics in 20 languages to help newcomers recognize and respond to acts of hate. The series was created to help community members, especially newcomers:

understand what hate is,
know what to do if they experience it, and
find ways to support one another.

Guide for people with disabilities

OCASI has a new resource on Navigating Settlement Services for People with Disabilities: A Practical Guide for Immigrants and Service Providers in Canada. It offers clear, reliable, and accessible information about essential settlement services such as disability documents, health care, accessible housing, and transportation. The guide is available in English and French.  

What's happening across Ontario

Online course on gender-based violence impacting newcomers

OCASI is offering a new course for settlement workers and other service providers — Understanding and Responding to Gender-Based Violence in Immigrant and Refugee Communities. The self-directed course aims to help participants better understand and respond to gender-based violence in immigrant and refugee communities. Registration is open until March 16.

Report on housing for women, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people

The Neha Review Panel has released “We are human. We deserve a place to live. It’s that simple.” It’s their report on the right to safe, adequate, and affordable housing for women, Two-Spirit, transgender and gender-diverse people. Read: 

The final report and recommendations
A summary of the report and recommendations

What's new from CLEO Connect

Upcoming webinars

First steps in family court: Children, support and property
March 4 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Register now.

In case you missed it

Webinar recording: Understanding the disability tax credit and Canada disability benefit

CLEO Connect’s Black History Month resource hub: Black History Month

What's happening at CLEO

New information on energy contracts

Steps to Justice now has information about energy contracts. This includes information about:

your rights when signing an energy contract for electricity
how to renew or extend your energy contract for electricity
how to cancel your energy contract
how to complain about your energy retailer

Changes to rules about taking time off work

Steps to Justice has new and updated information about taking time off work:

when you’re sick or injured
when you’re caring for a sick or injured family member
for emergencies other than sickness

Workers may now be able to take up to 27 weeks of long-term illness leave if they’re seriously sick or injured.

Read February's On the Radar

This issue covers new rules for extended temporary layoffs, including who the rules apply to, employment insurance (EI) benefits, and finding legal help.