Apuntar Legal Services

05/20/2026

I now offer online notary services for affidavits, statutory declarations, and other legal documents.

The process is simple and convenient — no need to leave your home.

Just:

✅Book an appointment, upload your document, and pay the $50 fee
✅Attend a short Zoom meeting for identity verification and witnessing of your signature through DocuSign
✅Receive your notarized document by email

Available for clients across Ontario and even outside Canada, depending on the document requirements.

This allows you to securely notarize affidavits, statutory declarations, and other legal documents via video conferencing from the comfort of your home. It is your responsibility to check with the recipient/user of this document accepts online notary.

04/21/2026

Section 132 of Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 is often overlooked—but it carries serious consequences.

Employers who fail to comply with ESA orders or obstruct enforcement can face significant fines and even imprisonment, with penalties increasing for repeat corporate offenders.

Understanding enforcement risk is just as important as understanding wage obligations.

👇Read our latest blog to learn how section 132 is applied and why compliance from the start of any investigation matters.

04/17/2026

Late refugee claim? Not the end of the road.

IRCC is moving quickly to screen out claims filed after the one-year deadline—but the law must still be applied fairly.
We recently responded to a procedural fairness letter using strong legal arguments grounded in the Charter, procedural fairness, and Canada’s non-refoulement obligations.

📌 The key issue: Can IRCC deny access to a full hearing when risk arises after entry?

Our position: It cannot.

We’re hopeful IRCC will reconsider our clients’ case—and this is a reminder that deadlines don’t override fundamental rights.

Read more 👇

04/01/2026

Received a notice from IRCC about your refugee claim? Don’t ignore it.

Right after Bill C-12 became law, IRCC started sending letters to claimants who applied more than one year after entering Canada—and the consequences are serious.

⚠️ Your case may never be heard by the IRB
⚠️ You could be pushed into a limited process—or face removal
⚠️ You have very little time to respond

But here’s the truth: you may still have options.

At Apuntar Legal Services, we help you:

✔️ Understand what the notice really means
✔️ Respond strategically within deadlines
✔️ Explore alternative pathways to stay in Canada

📩 Don’t wait until it’s too late. Get guidance now. Link in the comment.

03/30/2026

Think that $10,000–$30,000 “consultancy fee” you paid is legal? Think again.

In Ontario, the law doesn’t care what it’s called—if the fee is tied to getting you a job, it may be illegal. And here’s the kicker: the employer, recruiter, and consultant can all be held responsible.

We’re seeing more cases where foreign workers are unknowingly paying costs that employers should cover. The good news? You may be able to get your money back.

👉 Read this before you pay—or if you already did. Link in the comment.

03/27/2026

This is one of the biggest changes to Canada’s immigration system in years—and most people don’t fully understand it yet.

Bill C-12 is now law. It introduces a one-year deadline for refugee claims, removes key protections for people coming from the U.S., gives the government power to cancel permits, and expands information-sharing across agencies.

If you’re in Canada or planning to come, this could directly affect your status, your rights, and your options.

We’ve broken everything down in a clear Q&A—what changed, who is affected, and what you should do next.

Read this before making any immigration decisions.

Canada’s new immigration law, Bill C-12, introduces strict limits on refugee claims, expands government powers over permits and applications, and increases information-sharing across agencies. This comprehensive Q&A breaks down what the law says, who is affected, and what steps you should take now...

03/25/2026

🇵🇭 Hey Kababayans in Ontario!

Planning to use your affidavit or other documents in the Philippines? 🤔 Here’s a heads-up: if you need an Apostille Certificate, it’s NOT done at the Philippine Consulate. 😅

Instead, you’ll go through Ontario’s ODS (Office of Document Services)—super convenient if you’re here in Canada!

Basically, you have two options:

1️⃣ Process it via Philippine Consulate (PCG). If it's notarized in by PCG Office, it's as good as notarized in the Philippines.

2️⃣ Go the ODS route right here in Ontario for Apostille Certificate

Not sure which is faster or easier? We’ve got your back. 🙌 We can help make sure your documents are ready, valid, and stress-free for use in the Philippines (and other countries!). ✅

📩 Send us a message and we’ll walk you through it!

03/20/2026

STCA Update: Procedural Ruling in Federal Court

The Federal Court has dismissed an appeal by the Canadian Council for Refugees, Amnesty International, the Canadian Council of Churches, and several affected individuals over government document disclosure in the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) case.

Key point: This ruling is procedural—the Charter challenge to the STCA is still ongoing. It highlights how privacy, solicitor-client privilege, and procedural rules can affect what evidence is available in major immigration cases.

Stay informed on how this case could shape refugee rights in Canada.

Link in the comment.

03/17/2026

Did you know that driving without insurance in Ontario isn’t just a minor traffic ticket?

The law is strict, but there are defences depending on ownership, control, and the steps you’ve taken to ensure coverage. Learn from real cases like Belleau, Cordoba, and McCarty, and see how Apuntar Legal Services can guide you through the process to protect your rights.

See comment for more information.

03/13/2026

Bill C‑12 introduces new refugee claim rules with important transitional provisions. Claims filed before Bill C‑2’s introduction are protected, while later claims face new deadlines.

Here’s what every refugee claimant should know. https://www.apuntarlaw.ca/post/bill-c12-and-refugee-claims-understanding-the-transitional-provision

03/13/2026

A homeowner recently asked us:

“My mother-in-law is claiming she’s a tenant in my home. I want her out, and she refuses to leave!”

Family drama meets the law. In Ontario, the A1 Application at the Landlord and Tenant Board decides whether someone really has tenant rights—or if they’re just overstaying their welcome.

📌 Call the police first? Maybe… but often not. If the person could be considered a tenant, police usually cannot remove them. Filing an A1 first clarifies the law.

📌 No tenant rights? Police can get involved for trespassing, but don’t try to physically remove anyone yourself—that can create legal trouble.

If you’re facing a stubborn occupant, there’s a legal path to reclaim your home and your sanity.

Read our latest blog to see how to handle it safely (and maybe with a little humor).

[Read More →]

Dealing with a family member claiming tenant rights can be stressful. Discover how an LTB A1 Application can help you determine if the Residential Tenancies Act applies and safely reclaim your home.