Legal information and news from across Ontario

Each month, we share useful legal information, tools, and learning opportunities from CLEO and organizations across Ontario. Here are a few resources that caught our attention this month. Find more in the Your Legal Rights collection.

Information and resources

Canada Disability Benefit Rates Sheet – Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)

ISAC has created a new rates sheet to help community legal clinics, clients, and the public understand the Canada Disability Benefit. It includes benefit amounts and income limits for July 2026 to June 2027. The rates are updated each year to reflect changes in inflation.

Vacancy decontrol and affordable housing – Fair Rent Ontario

Fair Rent Ontario has launched a new campaign. It examines how landlords, who buy up rent-controlled buildings, use vacancy decontrol and how this contributes to the ongoing loss of affordable rental housing across Ontario. The campaign looks at how these practices affect renters and the availability of affordable homes.

Requesting debt relief for pandemic benefit overpayments – Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)

Some people who received COVID-19 income support benefits between 2020 and 2022 have been asked to repay some or all of those benefits. ISAC's new resource explains 2 options for people having difficulty repaying a pandemic benefit overpayment. They can ask for a repayment plan or for the Canada Revenue Agency to pause debt collection.

New social assistance rules affect people based on immigration status – Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)

The Ontario government recently changed the rules about who can get benefits from Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program. The changes may affect people with temporary immigration status or no immigration status in Canada. ISAC’s new resource explains the changes.

Canadian Dental Care Plan updated information sheet – Connecting Ottawa

Connecting Ottawa has updated its information sheet on the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). The resource explains who is eligible for the CDCP, how to apply, what services may be covered, and how the program works with other dental coverage.

Safe Third Country Agreement updated information sheet – Connecting Ottawa

Connecting Ottawa has updated its information sheet on the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA). The resource explains

what the STCA is,
how it affects people seeking refugee protection, and
the main exceptions that may allow someone to make a refugee claim in Canada.

It also includes updated information on how the STCA interacts with the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12).

What's happening across Ontario

Indigenous Human Rights Program in Ottawa and Thunder Bay – Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres and Pro Bono Students Canada

The Indigenous Human Rights Program provides free legal information and summary legal advice to urban Indigenous people about human rights and discrimination. It’s a collaboration between Pro Bono Students Canada and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres.

The program runs clinics at the Odawa Native Friendship Centre in Ottawa and the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. The clinics operate from September to April, and connect community members with culturally grounded supports, as well as legal information.

Hybrid forum on Accessible Employment Pathways for Newcomers – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants and SMILE Canada Support Services

This full-day in-person and online forum will help settlement workers support immigrants and refugees who face barriers to employment. These include disability, chronic illness, trauma-related experiences, mental health conditions, and other accessibility barriers. The forum will cover employment barriers, human rights obligations, accessible hiring practices, and where to refer people for help.

When: October 8, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Ottawa Conference and Event Centre or online

ASL, LSQ, and simultaneous English to French interpretation will be available.

Register to attend in person. Please register to attend in person only if you’re sure you can attend. This will help make sure there’s enough space for everyone who wants to take part.

What's happening at CLEO

Help CLEO improve access to justice for family law clients

CLEO is continuing to recruit participants for a research study evaluating how self-represented litigants complete the Family Law Rules Form 8: Application (General). Form 8 is used to start family court proceedings to deal with children, support, or property.

Participants who complete the study receive up to 2 hours of free unbundled legal services with a family law lawyer to review and correct their Form 8.

Legal clinics, community organizations, and other service providers are asked to share the pre-screening questionnaire with clients who are starting a Form 8.  

Questions? Contact support@cleo.on.ca.

On the Radar – Changes for landlords and tenants

August’s On the Radar looks at new rules in housing law. It includes updated information on reviews, air conditioning, notices of termination, payment agreements, and maximum penalties.

Updated information on rules for security cameras in rental properties

Steps to Justice has new information on the rules for security cameras in rental properties.

Upcoming CLEO webinars

Supporting clients with Canadian Human Rights Act complaints – September 15

The Ontario Human Rights Code covers many discrimination claims. But some claims are covered by the Canadian Human Rights Act instead.

At this webinar, you’ll learn:

what the Canadian Human Rights Act is
when the Act applies
how it differs from the Ontario Human Rights Code
how to make a human rights complaint under the Act

Let us know

Do you have a legal information resource, event, or training opportunity that community workers in Ontario may find useful? Email info@cleoconnect.ca.