News

Canadians benefit from outstanding social services like universal healthcare, social assistance and employment insurance. But, few know about our public legal services. We made a day to change that. The first National Duty Counsel Day, on October 27, 2021, aims to raise awareness about duty counsel lawyers whose work ensures that everyone is equal…

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) congratulates Avvy Go, former clinic director at Chinese and Southeast Asian Clinic (CSALC), on her appointment as a judge of the Federal Court in early August 2021. “Justice Go’s contributions in helping disadvantaged communities are numerous,” says David Field, LAO’s president and CEO. “In her many years as clinic director at CSALC,…

After thoughtful, thorough consultation with Indigenous stakeholders, the Aboriginal Justice Strategy (AJS) at Legal Aid Ontario is publishing Relationships First, Business Later, Part I, of a consultation report on the AJS’s and LAO’s effectiveness in the delivery of legal aid services to Indigenous clients in Ontario. It is vital for us to be the most effective…

Starting May 17, 2021, Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) will allow certain people to apply online and all clients will now have access to new features on a client‑only site. In this first phase, online applications will be available to people with specific immigration/refugee, criminal and family issues who: have no income, or receive Ontario Works…

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is setting new temporary financial eligibility thresholds for domestic violence and child protection matters that will come into effect May 3, 2021 until September 30, 2021 for non‑Indigenous applicants. Financial eligibility criteria for these matters reflects an increase over the pre-pandemic threshold. The new eligibility threshold replaces the emergency waiver of financial eligibility…

In July 2020, the legislature passed the Legal Aid Services Act, 2020, (LASA 2020) which will govern legal aid in Ontario. Before the new law comes into effect, we must create rules to guide and support its implementation. These rules will help us create a modern approach to serving our clients. Between April 21 and May 20,…

Please send all information—such as requests for review, details to complete a legal aid application, or information for a contribution agreement—to Legal Aid Ontario’s provincial office. All legal aid staff offices are currently closed due to COVID‑19, and any information sent to the local legal aid offices may be delayed. Upload your information to the…

LAO congratulates the Vanier Community Service Centre (CSC) for achieving full four-year accreditation through the Canadian Centre for Accreditation (CCA). The community legal clinic has worked diligently since 1980 to improve the quality of life for citizens of Ottawa-Vanier and surroundings. Their accreditation is the result of a stringent process based on recognized best organizational practices that…