Find out about other legal help for people with low incomes
Question & Answer
Where can I get legal advice about immigration status in Canada?If you can't afford to hire a lawyer, here are some other places where you may be able to get help with an immigration matter.
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) phone lines
LAO gives general information and referrals over the phone to people of all income levels. You can also get up to 20 minutes of free general legal advice by calling 1-800-668-8258 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
LAO also has 4 regional offices with a Francophone legal advice line that gives legal information and advice in French to people living in those areas.
Law Society Referral Service
The Law Society Referral Service can give you the name of a lawyer you can consult with for free, for up to 30 minutes.
Use the Law Society of Ontario's online request form to get the name of a lawyer that you can contact.
The Ontario Legal Information Centre phone line
The Association of French-Speaking Jurists of Ontario(AJEFO) has a resource called the Ontario Legal Information Centre that gives you 30 minutes with a lawyer over the telephone or in person. Call 1-844-343-7462 to speak with a lawyer about any area of law in English or French. You may have to leave a message, and a lawyer will call you back.
JusticeNet
JusticeNet is a not-for-profit organization that can help people find legal services when their income is too high for legal aid and too low to afford legal fees. Their website has a list of lawyers, paralegals, and mediators who charge reduced fees based on your income and the size of your family. You must register and pay a small fee to use their services.
Justice for Children and Youth
If you are under age 25, you may be able to get legal advice, information, and support with immigration issues from Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY). To be eligible, you must also live in Ontario, and have arrived in Canada as a child.
Call JFCY and ask for an intake to their Childhood Arrivals Support & Advocacy (CASA) program. If you're in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) call 416-920-1633. For toll free from anywhere in Ontario call 1-866-999-5329.
