ACAS Settlement Program - FAQ

Please note: The answers listed here are for informational and reference purposes only, and is not intended as legal advice.  Please consult your local Legal Aid Ontario community legal clinic, the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic (Ontario), or a lawyer practicing the relevant area for legal assistance or representation.

Legal resources

3c1. Where can I find legal assistance or representation?
A: There are many sources for legal help.  Some of these sources provide free legal services for certain areas of law for people of Asian descent and/or people with HIV/AIDS.  There is generally a financial eligibility criteria since the service is provided for low income people through Legal Aid Ontario.  However, you should always contact these services to see if you qualify or if they can give you basic legal advice.
HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic (Ontario) (HALCO) – (416) 340-7790 http://www.halco.org/
Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic – (416) 971-9674
Community legal clinic through Legal Aid Ontario (LAO).  To find a clinic in your area of residence throughout Ontario: http://www.legalaid.on.ca/en/locate/default.asp
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) also provides legal services and financial assistance to hire a lawyer for certain matters in the criminal, family, immigration and refugee, and some civil law areas.  Please contact LAO to see if you are eligible to apply: (416) 979-1446 or info@lao.on.ca.
Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) will provide the name of a lawyer that will provide a free consultation of up to 30 minutes to help you determine your rights and options.  The service costs $6.00 for half an hour, and is through the Law Society of Upper Canada.  You can access the service by calling:      1-900-565-4577.

3c2. Are there any lawyers that are LGBT-friendly?
A: Yes. There are many LGBT-friendly lawyers in Canada. Please consult local LGBT resources, such as the Pink Pages, for legal services that are catered to the LGBT community. The HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic (Ontario) is also LGBT- and HIV/AIDS-friendly.

3c3. Are there any reference materials that I can read before I seek legal assistance?
A: Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) offers reference materials on many subjects, such as employment, social assistance, immigration and refugee, etc, for people to read.  Some of the materials are in different languages.  Please go to: http://www.cleo.on.ca/english/pub/onpub/online.htm