Glossary
In Abuse and Family Violence, Criminal Law, Family Law, Housing Law, Refugee Law
A peace bond is a court order from a criminal court that requires a person to “keep the peace and be of good behaviour”. The peace bond may also contain other conditions the person must follow. For example, the person may be required to follow a “no contact” condition.
In Housing Law
A length of time that repeats over and over. A periodic tenancy is a tenancy that repeats or renews after each period until the landlord or the tenant does something to end it. It does not have a fixed term. The most common types are weekly and monthly tenancies.
In Employment and Work, Health and Disability, Housing Law, Human Rights
A personal characteristic is a quality that a person has. There are 17 personal characteristics protected by Ontario’s Human Rights Code. These are sometimes called “protected grounds”. They relate to your:
- race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, and ethnic origin
- citizenship
- religion
- sex, gender, gender identity, and gender expression
- sexual orientation
- family and marital status
- disability
- age
Two personal characteristics are protected only in certain situations. You’re protected from being treated unfairly:
- in housing if you get income support from the government
- at work if you have a record suspension, which used to be called a pardon
In Employment and Work, Health and Disability, Housing Law, Human Rights
A personal characteristic is a quality that a person has. There are 17 personal characteristics protected by Ontario’s Human Rights Code. These are sometimes called “protected grounds”. They relate to your:
- race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, and ethnic origin
- citizenship
- religion
- sex, gender, gender identity, and gender expression
- sexual orientation
- family and marital status
- disability
- age
Two personal characteristics are protected only in certain situations. You’re protected from being treated unfairly:
- in housing if you get income support from the government
- at work if you have a record suspension, which used to be called a pardon
In Housing Law
A remedy is an order made by a court or tribunal to give someone their legal rights or to compensate them for their rights not being respected. For example, if a landlord is not doing repairs that are needed, the Landlord and Tenant Board could order the landlord to do the repairs, lower the tenant’s rent until the repairs are done, or let the tenant move out with short notice. Usually a tenant or landlord can ask the Board for certain remedies by filing an application with the Board.
A remedy is an order made by a court or tribunal to give someone their legal rights or to compensate them for their rights not being respected.
For example, if a landlord is not doing repairs that are needed, the Landlord and Tenant Board could order the landlord to do the repairs, lower the tenant’s rent until the repairs are done, or let the tenant move out with short notice.
Or, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal might order an employer to change their policy manual to deal with discrimination in the workplace.
In Criminal Law, Family Law, Housing Law
A restraining order is a court order that limits what a person can do in any way the family court thinks is appropriate to your situation. The order might limit where a person can go, or who they can contact or communicate with. For example, it can say one or more of these things:
- your partner cannot come within 500 metres of you and your children
- your partner cannot talk to or contact you or your children except through an agency or another person
- your partner cannot come within 500 metres of your home and work
In Housing Law
A rented place to live where the residents can get at least 2 care services, most of them are at least 65 years old, and there are at least 6 residents (not counting anyone related to the landlord). Retirement homes are considered care homes, and people who pay rent there are tenants. They are also covered by many other rules in a law called the Retirement Homes Act.
In Housing Law, Tenant applications to the Landlord and Tenant Board, Settling your case, Hearings at the Landlord and Tenant Board , How to apply to the LTB, Issues the LTB can deal with
The Rental Housing Enforcement Unit (RHEU) is a service run by the government of Ontario. The RHEU tries to make sure landlords and tenants follow the law.
In serious situations, the RHEU might hold a formal investigation. If the RHEU charges the landlord or tenant, that person must go to court. The court could order the landlord or tenant to pay a fine.
In Family Law, Housing Law, Human Rights, Tribunals and Courts
Give or deliver a document to someone. Usually the law says how you can give or deliver the document, who has to get it, and the deadline by which they have to get it.