ISAC was advised this morning that our budget will be cut by 25% over the next two years. We have been directed to de-prioritize law reform and community development work. This cut is a direct attack on low-income people in this province, including the social assistance recipients and low-income workers that ISAC serves. The cuts …
Access to Justice
Public Forum: Access to Justice for All!
If you are in Toronto, please join us for a public forum on funding cuts to legal aid and community legal clinics! When: Thursday, May 16, 7:00 pm Where: Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 309 RSVP via Eventbrite by clicking here or via Facebook by clicking here. Community legal clinics are facing 15% funding …
Take Action! Community Legal Clinic Services Under Threat
The provincial government’s recent budget made cuts to a number of public programs and services, which will hurt low-income people in Ontario. This includes cuts to social assistance, public health, library services, prescription coverage for children and youth, public education, and many others. It also includes a massive 30% cut to legal aid funding. And …
Supreme Court strikes down “cruel and unusual” mandatory victim surcharge
In a landmark group of cases, the Supreme Court today struck down the mandatory victim surcharge, finding that it was cruel and unusual in its effects on people living in poverty. The mandatory victim surcharge requires every person who is convicted of a criminal offence in Canada to pay a fine as part of their …
Webinar: Changes to Social Assistance: What will they mean?
On November 22, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, Lisa MacLeod, announced a number of changes to Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). These changes include: changing the definition of disability in ODSP to make it more restrictive changing the amounts of money that people in both OW and …
Protect the Privacy of Individuals at Administrative Tribunals: Court Case April 4-6
An important case concerning the privacy of individuals who seek to enforce their rights at administrative tribunals will be heard this week. This case could directly affect the privacy of individuals at the Human Rights Tribunal, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, and the Landlord and Tenant Board, among other administrative tribunals. It could also set …
Government consultant’s report confirms Employment Insurance appeals process is broken
In the spring of 2017, the federal government acted on complaints from across the country by hiring a consultant to carry out a review of the Employment Insurance appeals process. That consultant’s report has now been made public. The report makes important findings about problems with the appeal process and recommendations for change. There are …
Challenging discriminatory legislation: Watch the Supreme Court hearing live
Where can you go when government benefit programs discriminate against you? The Supreme Court of Canada will be hearing an important case about that issue on November 28, 2017. The Government of Canada is responsible for a number of very important programs and social benefits that people rely on in order to get by, including …
Federal Fall Economic Statement: Good news but much more work to be done
The federal government released its Fall Economic Statement yesterday, which included new investments in the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB). Since 2016, advocates have been pushing the federal government to speed up their plans to index the CCB to inflation, which was originally scheduled for July 2020. The announcement …
Legal Services for Refugee Claimants: Take Action Now
As the world witnesses one of the largest mass migrations due to violence, war and famine, Canada’s refugee system is experiencing a major surge. Refugee claimants need access to legal services to help them navigate Canada’s complex system. Claimants’ rights to a fair decision-making process must be protected, especially since the stakes – including potential …
