Refugee Law Office

Where to go:

  • Hamilton Refugee Law Office
    110 King Street West Suite 780
    Hamilton L8P 4S6
    Telephone: 905‑528‑0134
    Toll-free: 1‑877‑449‑4003

  • Ottawa Immigration & Refugee Law Office (part of Ottawa ILSO)
    275 Slater Street Suite 1101
    Ottawa K1P 5H9
    Telephone: 613‑569‑7448

    Services are available in French at this location

  • Toronto Refugee Law Office
    20 Dundas St West Suite 201
    Toronto M5G 2C2
    Telephone: 416‑977‑8111

    Services are available in French at this location

About the office

Legal Aid Ontario’s (LAO) refugee and immigration program is internationally recognized for its legal services provided to people trying to enter or remain in Canada.

LAO’s Refugee Law Office helps clients prepare claims for refugee status at refugee determination hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board.

They are experienced in human rights work and refugee advocacy. Help is available in a variety of languages and arrangements can be made for interpreters and the translation of documents if required.

What LAO covers

If you qualify for legal aid services, LAO can help:

  • fill in your Basis of Claim and related forms to claim refugee status.
  • represent you to explain why you are claiming refugee status.
  • prepare a written appeal of your case if you are turned down for your refugee claim.
  • prepare an application that asks the Federal Court to decide whether or not there has been a legal mistake if you’ve been turned down or are not eligible to appeal.
  • prepare your motion to delay your removal from Canada until the Federal Court has made a decision on your judicial review application.
  • represent you if the government is trying to take away your status as a Convention refugee or protected person.
  • help you prepare a written appeal that asks the government to assess the danger you face in your country of origin.
  • help you write a danger opinion if you were granted Convention refugee or protected person status, but the government is trying to have you removed to your country of origin anyway on the grounds of serious or organized criminality or national security.