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Income Security Advocacy Centre

Income Security Advocacy Centre

ISAC works to address issues of income security and poverty in Ontario

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Human Rights

Simple graphic icon which includes an outline of a piece of paper with the top left corner folded in, and two star shapes on the right side of the piece of paper. These elements are in dark blue, and they are placed inside a light blue circle.

ISAC Submissions on Further Proposed Changes to Human Rights Tribunal Rules (April 2025)

ISAC has been actively monitoring and providing feedback to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) consultations on proposed changes to its Rules of Procedure since consultations began in November 2024. At that time, ISAC…

April 25, 2025
Access to Justice, Human Rights, Policy Advocacy

Ontario Court of Appeal declines to revisit finding that Ontario’s Guide Dog Benefit is discriminatory

The Ontario Court of Appeal has declined to revisit the Divisional Court’s finding that the strict training and accreditation requirements for the Ontario Disability Support Program’s (ODSP) Guide Dog Benefit are discriminatory, on the basis…

March 10, 2025
Human Rights, Litigation, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Simple graphic icon which includes an outline of a piece of paper with the top left corner folded in, and two star shapes on the right side of the piece of paper. These elements are in dark blue, and they are placed inside a light blue circle.

ISAC Submissions on Proposed Changes to Human Rights Tribunal Rules

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) is holding a consultation on proposed changes to its Rules of Procedure. The proposed changes would eliminate some procedural steps that can be helpful for unrepresented people trying…

November 19, 2024
Access to Justice, Human Rights

Court finds Ontario’s Guide Dog Benefit is discriminatory

The Divisional Court has found that the strict training and accreditation requirements for the Ontario Disability Support Program’s (ODSP) Guide Dog Benefit are discriminatory, on the basis of disability, contrary to Ontario’s Human Rights Code. On June…

August 15, 2024
Disability Justice, Human Rights, Litigation, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Social Assistance

Challenge to whether Ontario’s Guide Dog Benefit is discriminatory Goes to Court

On June 12, 2024, the Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) intervened in Ministry of Community and Social Services v. Robinson-Cooke at the Ontario Divisional Court. The case was about whether the strict training and accreditation requirements for…

June 14, 2024
Disability Justice, Human Rights, Litigation, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

Court finds that portions of the Safe Streets Act are unconstitutional

Many people who depend on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support live in deep poverty. They may rely on panhandling to make ends meet, because their income assistance is inadequate to survive. However, for over…

May 22, 2024
Human Rights, Litigation, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW)

New Intervention: Challenge to whether Ontario’s Guide Dog Benefit is discriminatory

The Ontario Divisional Court granted the Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) intervener status in Ministry of Community and Social Services v. Robinson-Cooke. This legal challenge concerns whether the strict training and accreditation requirements for the Guide…

May 6, 2024
Human Rights, Litigation, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Social Assistance, Social Assistance Reform, Social Benefits Tribunal

Important Legal Victory: Safe Streets Act Provisions Struck Down for Violating Charter Rights

The Income Support Advocacy Centre is pleased that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has found that some provisions of the Safe Streets Act violate the freedom of expression and presumption of innocence of people who panhandle to survive,…

April 4, 2024
Human Rights, Litigation, Press Release

Constitutional Battle to End Criminalization of Panhandling Goes to Court – Fair Change Joint Press Release

TORONTO, ON – A long-awaited constitutional challenge seeking to strike down the Safe Streets Act and end the criminalization of panhandling in Ontario will be heard in Superior Court starting Tuesday. Lawyers representing Fair Change,…

February 2, 2024
Human Rights, Litigation, Press Release

Panhandling to Survive Should Not Be an Offence: Fair Change Community Legal Clinic v. Ontario (Attorney General)

Social assistance is inadequate in Ontario. People who depend on Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program live in deep poverty, and many do not have enough to afford food, rent, medicine and winter boots.…

December 12, 2023
Human Rights, Litigation, Social Assistance

Ontario’s Human Rights Tribunal rules that Ontario’s Guide Dog Benefit is discriminatory

Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) offer a monthly Guide Dog Benefit for routine care of a guide dog. Those on social assistance could receive $84 per month only if the…

August 17, 2023
Disability Justice, Human Rights, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
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Statement on Government Cuts to Life-Saving Healthcare Program Serving Uninsured People

ISAC is profoundly disappointed that the Ontario Government plans to end a vital program that provides OHIP coverage to uninsured people living in Ontario. This program successfully improves health outcomes and reduces financial hardship for…

March 28, 2023
Disability Justice, Human Rights, Migrant Workers
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1500 – 55 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5J 2H7
Tel: (416) 597-5820 • Toll Free: 1-866-245-4072 • Fax: (416) 597-5821

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This site contains general legal information for people in Ontario, Canada. It is not intended to be used as legal advice for a specific legal problem. ISAC is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization. ISAC is funded by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO). The funding for this website is also provided by LAO. The views expressed in any of ISAC’s publications (including written, oral, or visual) are the views of the clinic and do not necessarily reflect those of LAO.