Services in Ontario - Child abuse and neglect

The Law Society of Ontario has on online Law Society Referral Service that gives you the name of a lawyer or licensed paralegal who will give free legal advice for up to 30 minutes in any area of law.

If you can’t wait for a legal representative to call you back, or if you don’t have a call-back number, email lsrs@lso.ca. Or, if you’re in crisis or in custody, call 1-855-947-5255 or 416-947-5255, Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Ontario Legal Information Centre offers a free 30-minute meeting with a lawyer to anyone in Ontario by telephone or in person at their Ottawa office in any area of law in English or French. You may have to leave a message, and a lawyer will call you back.

If you get a legal aid certificate, this means that LAO pays a lawyer to work for you. To get a certificate you must show that you have a low income by giving information about your income, property, and savings.

And, your legal issue must be one that LAO covers. You may get a certificate for some legal issues about:

• domestic violence
• family law
• criminal law
• immigration law
• refugee law

To apply for a legal aid certificate:

• call LAO at 1-800-668-8258
• use their online service
• visit one of their regional offices

The association has a list of all Children’s Aid Societies in Ontario that can help you find your local office. Children’s Aid Societies have a legal duty to look into every report of a child who is being harmed or is at risk of being harmed.

This website has a directory you can use to find contact information for First Nations child and family service agencies in Canada. 

The Ministry is responsible for services provided by Developmental Services Ontario, Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program, and the Family Responsibility Office.

They are also responsible for Community Services including help for women who have experienced domestic violence, programs for Indigenous peoples, and searching for adoption records. 

Go to their website or call them to:

• learn about these services
• apply for these services
• get application forms

The council helps people who were adopted or who have adopted a child. It provides services such as a helpline, workshops, seminars, information, peer support, and counselling.

The Ontario Ombudsman is an independent organization that looks into public complaints and systemic issues dealing with things like:

• Certificates & Permits

• Children and Youth

• Education

• Employment

• Energy & Environment

• French Language Services

• Health

• Law & Order

• Money & Property

• Municipalities

• Social Services

• Transportation