Under new rules introduced in 2012, there is a period of two years during which the permanent residence of a sponsored person is conditional on their remaining in a conjugal relationship and cohabitating with their sponsor. If they don't fulfill these conditions, their permanent residence could be revoked, and they could be deported. An important exception to the condition is provided for cases of abuse or neglect. This document is meant to help frontline workers understand the implications of this rule and the abuse exception for their clients, especially for newcomer women in abusive situations.
The Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services has produced short videos with tips on topics such as collection agencies, water heater rentals, car repairs, funerals and burials, home improvements, gym memberships, and more.
This handbook provides information on many legal issues faced by women who are abused by their partners. It includes information on making a safety plan, preparing to leave, the criminal process and trial, a woman's rights under family law, protection orders, and legal and community resources in Ontario.
Reviewed for accuracy by experienced lawyers in the violence against women sector, this guide offers practical information on issues in family, criminal and other areas of law that women in abusive relationships often face.
Updated to reflect the changes to immigration laws and to give more information about how women can protect themselves, contents of the new edition include:
- Preparing to leave: safety planning, where to go
- The criminal process: possible charges, the arrest, bail hearings
- The criminal trial: court procedure, sentencing
- Protecting yourself: restraining orders, exclusive possession, peace bonds
- Rights under family law: children’s aid societies, custody, support
- Next steps: finances, social assistance, working
The handbook also includes updated referral information for community and legal organizations that work with women experiencing abuse.
The Ministry of Consumer Services has a website that describes popular employment schemes such as "Job Training – Job Guaranteed," phoney employment agencies, bogus business opportunities, "Make Big Profits Working at Home," etc. It also lists "Tips To Help You Avoid Employment Scams," and provides a link to "Who To Talk To If You Think You've Been Scammed."
The Spring 2013 issue of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre newsletter looks at accommodation in employment, housing, and services. It covers what "accommodation" means, how to get the accommodation you need, and gives examples of accommodation in employment, housing, and services.
Tenants have a legal right to be free from harassment and discrimination by their landlords or by other tenants. This booklet explains these rights as well as tenants' right to privacy in their homes. It describes what tenants can do if these rights are not respected.
In Ontario, people can get tested for HIV without giving their name or address. This is called "anonymous testing." This booklet describes how to get tested, how to find anonymous test sites, and what happens when people are tested. It also explains the difference between being tested at an anonymous test site and being tested by a doctor.
The Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) website has Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) under these headings:
- Human Rights at Work - do you think you have been discriminated against or harassed at work?
- Human Rights and Housing - do you think you have been discriminated against or harassed in your search for a home or by your current landlord?
- Human Rights and Services - do you think you have been discriminated against or harassed when getting services?
- Human Rights and Contracts - do you think you have been discriminated against or harassed in a situation involving a contract?
- Human Rights and Associations - do you think you have been discriminated against or harassed by an association?
- Ontario's Human Rights System
- Human Rights Applications
The Ministry of Transportation has prepared a web page with fact sheets on three topics: Drinking and Driving Trends, Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), and Roadside Licence Suspensions.
This Government of Canada website has a section on elder abuse awareness, including the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and resources on financial abuse of seniors. There are also links to information about the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security.
