Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR, formerly CERA)

Founded 1987 as the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation and renamed in 2022; provides free legal information and referrals to Ontario renters, legal advice/representation for Toronto and York Region tenants (evictions, rent increases, maintenance, rooming houses), and self-advocacy guidance on housing discrimination. Intake is by online form, response within 3 business days, no in-person meetings.

Ontario-wide · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC)

You can ask for help any time, but the deadline to file with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario is generally one year from the last discriminatory event.

An independent agency funded by the Ontario government that gives free legal advice and support to people who faced discrimination, harassment or reprisal under Ontario's Human Rights Code. It can help you file an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and, in some cases, represent you at mediations and hearings.

For: People in Ontario who have experienced discrimination or harassment covered by the Human Rights Code, for example because of disability, race, sex, creed, ancestry, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation, at work, in housing or when getting services. Being eligible does not guarantee a set level of help; the Centre decides how much legal support each case gets.

Ontario-wide · checked 4 October 2026 · everything we know

Legal Aid Ontario client service line (apply for legal aid)

No deadline. The phone line is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

The phone line where you apply for legal aid in Ontario. If you qualify, Legal Aid Ontario gives you a certificate that pays a private lawyer for a set number of hours, or free help from duty counsel lawyers at court, for family, criminal, child protection, immigration and refugee, and domestic violence problems.

For: People in Ontario with a low income and a legal problem. For a certificate in a family, immigration or refugee case, family income must be lower than $18,795 for 1 person, $32,131 for 2, $39,352 for 3, $45,289 for 4 and $50,803 for 5 or more. In a criminal case it must be lower than $45,440 for 1 to 4 people and $50,803 for 5 or more. If you have income or own property above this, you may still get a certificate with a contribution agreement, where you pay back some or all of the legal fees.

Ontario-wide · checked 4 October 2026 · everything we know

Workers' Action Centre (Workers' Rights Info Line)

A Toronto workers' centre whose phone line gives free, confidential information about your rights at work and help with ways to deal with a bad employer or get unpaid wages. It also runs support clinics for one-on-one help and workers' rights workshops across the Greater Toronto Area.

For: Workers in Toronto and Ontario with a problem at work, especially people in low-wage and unstable jobs, recent immigrants, workers of colour, women and youth.

Toronto · checked 4 October 2026 · everything we know

Legal Aid Ontario - Community Legal Clinics

Network of LAO-funded community legal clinics giving free legal help to low-income Ontarians on housing, income support, workers' rights, human rights and immigration; find yours by postal code.

Ontario-wide · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations (FMTA) - Tenant Hotline

Free tenant-rights counselling hotline for Toronto tenants (weekdays 8:30-6, Saturdays 9-4) explaining what the law says and what options exist (not legal advice), plus an Outreach & Organizing team that helps tenants start building associations.

Toronto · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

Tenant Duty Counsel Program (ACTO, funded by Legal Aid Ontario)

Sign up as soon as you get your Notice of Hearing, before the hearing date.

Free legal advice, by phone or online, for tenants who have a Landlord and Tenant Board hearing and no lawyer, given before or on the day of the hearing.

For: Tenants in Toronto and the rest of Ontario who have received a Notice of Hearing from the Landlord and Tenant Board and have no lawyer or paralegal; priority goes to tenants facing eviction.

Ontario-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know