Waterloo Region Community Legal Services
450 Frederick St # 101 N2H 2P5 Kitchener, ON, Canada

"Evictions during pandemic could increase spread of COVID-19: Waterloo region lawyer" - CBC News Article featuring Waterloo Region Community Legal Services' staff lawyer. For the full article, visit: https://www.cbc.ca//evictions-waterloo-region-covid-1.5857

Warm wishes to everyone for a happy holidays and a wonderful new year!

Waterloo Region Community Legal Services presents the 2021 Legal Information Workshop Series in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University. From January 28 - March 4, 2021 WRCLS' staff lawyers, paralegals and social workers will be presenting virtual workshops in various areas of law to Laurier University's social work students. For interest in collaborations or partnerships with Waterloo Region Community Legal Services please contact us.

Though we cannot serve walk-ins during this provincial lockdown, Waterloo Region Community Legal Services continues to serve our community. Please contact our office at 519-743-0254 or through our Contact Form at wrcls.ca. Connect with us and get updates through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

WRCLS invites Waterloo Region's service providers and community partners to a free, virtual workshop on the Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act. The Waterloo Region has seen an drastic influx of issues regarding the housing crisis and tenancy in 2020, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many changes have been made to the procedures involved with the Residential Tenancies Act as well as Landlord & Tenant Board hearings (which have now shifted to be held onl...ine.) Waterloo Region Community Legal Services' staff lawyer Kristen Thompson delivers an online Zoom workshop targeted to the region's community agencies supporting tenants facing these challenges. There will also be time for general Q & A following the presentation. For registration to this event please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/residential-tenancies-act-chang Please contact for more information on this event.

For more information on WRCLS please visit our website at www.wrcls.ca For more information on Public Legal Education opportunities please contact.

We are so thankful for the support of our community partners. Due to the great interest we received for our first workshop, we are now offering a second workshop for those who could not attend. Please contact for more information.

Free online information session re CPP/OAS/CPP-D benefits: Hello, We are pleased to invite you to a Zoom info session organized by Injured Workers Action for Justice (IWA4J) and IAVGO Community Legal Clinic.... Feel free to share with your clients and others. When: Wed. Nov 18, 2020, 11:00 AM 1 pm Register in advance for this session: https://us02web.zoom.us//tZ0rcemhpzIoE9ItKyfWYgYx5VjTW3Doi After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Pre-registration is required; space is limited and will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis. Are you a senior and getting Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) benefits? Do you know if you qualify for Old Age Security Benefits? Maybe you have an injury, illness or disability? Did you know that you can apply for CPP Disability even if you're not over age 60? How do you qualify? Please join us and learn about the federal pension programs. Make sure that you're maximizing what you're entitled to. At the same time, let's talk about how we can make a better system for everyone. Special Guest Speaker: Elina Udhin & Paola Vega, Citizen Services Specialist/ Citizen Services Branch, Service Canada/Government of Canada Regards, Sang-Hun Mun Community Organizer IAVGO Community Legal Clinic 55 University Ave. 15th Floor Toronto, ON M5J 2H7 Phn: (416) 924-6477 ext. 4525 Fax: (416) 924-2472 iavgo.org IAVGO is a charitable not-for-profit community-based legal clinic that has provided free legal services to injured workers in Ontario since 1975. https://www.facebook.com/justiceforinjuredworkers Injured Workers Action for Justice (IWA4J) is a diverse group of injured workers who have fought for fair compensation and respect from WSIB (Workplace & Safety Insurance Board) since 2010. We work closely with IAVGO Community Legal Clinic (funded by Legal Aid Ontario), who represents injured workers and support our work.

What happens now that CERB has ended? Clink on the link below for more information:

#everychildmatters #orangeshirtday2020

Woodland Cultural Centre is a great source of information for those wishing to learn about the history and impact of the residential school system. A visit there- either in person or virtually is a moving experience. #OrangeShirtDay2020 #EveryChildMatters

Today is Orange Shirt Day and a good day to remind you about Ahwenehaode- our Indigenous Justice program. Call or email us for more information or visit the FB page:

WRCLS ED Shannon Down quoted in this article about a local business not providing access to a woman with her service dog:

Our clinic was fortunate to have Lynn as a board member and ally. Her contributions to the legal clinic system were immense as she also was on the board for the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario as well. She spent her career fighting hard to end homelessness. She had a true passion for social justice. Rest In Peace Lynn.

Great summary of government COVID 19 benefits available: https://cleoconnect.ca//CLEO-COVID-19-benefits-chart-May-2

Your employment rights during COVID 19- join this free online seminar today from 2-3 p.m. - hosted by the KPL and featuring employment lawyer Ashley Schuitema from WRCLS: http://kplca.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails

For COVID 19 legal updates for employees and workers click on this link: https://stepstojustice.ca/covid-19-employment-and-work

We are continuing to help clients by telephone and email during the COVID 19 pandemic. Call the clinic at 519-743-0254 or go to www.wrcls.ca and use our web contact form under the contact us tab.

Important message to our clients:

Pop Up Legal clinic at Carl Zehr Square on July 30, 2019! Come out and join us!

Great information from CLEO on what you need to be able to vote:

Pop-Up Legal Clinic today at Kitchener City Hall from 10-2! Come out and say hi! #justice4all #stopthecuts #onpoli

Editorial from the Star...

Tenants fighting renovictions!

Join us at our pop up legal clinic tomorrow from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Carl Zehr Square! https://www.therecord.com//9522302-pop-up-legal-clinic-to/

#stoplegalaidcuts

***Important Information for Tenants in Waterloo Region*** Effective July 1, 2019 Landlord and Tenant Board hearings will move to a new hearing location at: Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex... (The Aud) 400 East Avenue, Kitchener, ON N2H 1Z6 Enter at door #7 to go to the hearing rooms. Waterloo Region Community Legal Services will have duty counsel available for tenants on all hearing dates at the new location.

Please email or call your MPP if you are concerned about cuts to Legal Aid.

Legal Aid Ontario is in the midst of serious funding cuts from the provincial government. These funding cuts could affect community legal clinics such as ours. This effects the ability for people living with low incomes to access the justice that they need. Community Legal Clinics provide a unique and valuable service to people living with low incomes in the community. We help people who cannot afford a lawyer for a range of areas such as social assistance, landlord and tenan...t disputes, disability appeals, employment, criminal injuries, and consumer protection matters. We also try to improve our community through public legal education and fighting for change in the laws that affect those living with low income. If you value the work that we do, please reach out to your local Member of Provincial Parliament to support continued funding to enable us to provide the level of service that persons living with low incomes in our community deserve.

Send a message to our government about Legal Aid funding cuts:

Thank you Laura Mae Lindo for asking great questions about Legal Aid funding cuts.

This article reinforces that landlords need to stay on top of maintenance issues before things escalate to this stage. If you are a tenant who has unresolved maintenance issues, contact our clinic for advice.

Learn more about Employment Insurance before you need it. EI is hard to get. Contact the Legal Clnic if you have questions about EI, your entitlement, or if you have been denied EI.

Our Executive Director, Shannon Down, on protecting students in a vulnerable position. Waterloo Region Community Legal Services will be at the University of Waterloo to talk to students about their rights as tenants on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Details to follow.

Our Community Legal Worker, Giordano Modesto, on unfinished student housing buildings in Waterloo. If you are a student affected by construction delays, contact the clinic if you would like legal information or advice. And tell your roommates.

Employment Insurance can still help out those who find part time opportunities or temporary work while on E.I. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqQZB3oVT7Y

Big announcement this morning - minimum wage rates will be increased to $15.00/hr! The rate will be increased in stages - $14.00 on Jan. 1, 2018 and $15.00 on Jan 1, 2019. There are also a number of other changes that can be found at the link below!... https://goo.gl/2DYQ0A

The Indigneous Justice Coordinator is available for support and advocacy to Indigenous people in the Waterloo Region: https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousJusticeWaterlooRegion

http://buff.ly/2c3GLCX Poverty reduction advocate pleads to the Premier for Bill 185

http://buff.ly/2bXPaVq MINIMUM WAGE: As of October 1 2016, Ontario's minimum wage will be $11.40.

http://buff.ly/2cKGR3Y Legal woes taking toll, report says

http://buff.ly/2bEZAxC Pilot project aims to protect vulnerable restaurant workers

http://buff.ly/2bWfmF2 Ontario to test guaranteed-income program amid warnings about costs, effectiveness

http://buff.ly/2bF0p9Q Chronically underfunded, Canada’s mental-health system now lags behind most other OECD countries

http://buff.ly/2bWfmoD A Newcomer's Introduction to Consumer Protection

http://buff.ly/2bLhrhZ Payday loans class action settlement

http://buff.ly/2bGk9YT Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi aims to modernize the justice system

http://buff.ly/2bLfNgi CRA & Immigrations scams: What you need to know to protect yourself

Starting in Sept 2016, people receiving social assistance can use their Ontario health card to access the Ontario Drug Benefit program.

http://buff.ly/2bLfK4k Housing Investigation and Enforcement Unit has a new name - it is now known as the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit

Filing Taxes Can Help Low-Income Canadians Escape Poverty

What if my partner and I agree on what to do after we separate or divorce? #FamilyLaw #PLEI http://buff.ly/2aBy3cm

How do I change my separation agreement?

There are no shortcuts. Ending food insecurity means lifting people out of poverty.

We are closed for the Civic Holiday today. We will reopen tomorrow morning at 8:30am. Have a happy holiday Monday!

How old do I need to be to work?

The clinic will be closed for the Civic Holiday this Monday, August 1. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday. Happy long weekend!

Can an employer charge me money to get hired?

What if my employer forces me to leave my job? #EmploymentLaw

Everyone! Please try and stay cool during these hot hot temperatures we are experiencing.

Here is some Monday motivation from Dr. Seuss on this gloomy morning. Happy Monday everyone! #MotivationMonday

Can your landlord stop you from smoking in your rented unit?

What is severance pay? Find out more at the link attached.

https://www.thestar.com//basic-income-how-about-basic-serv