Don Valley Community Legal Services

09/01/2026

We need your help! Our community member is facing deportation. Contact the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and your local MP. Ask them to approve Roman’s Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) so he can stay with his family in Canada.

More info and scripts:
https://www.donvalleylegal.ca/stop-romans-removal/

Petition:
https://c.org/vn5fwQFMjk

Roman Slepcsik (pronounced “Slep-chick”) has lived in Canada for almost 30 years. He came here as a refugee from the Czech Republic in 1997 after a group of neo-Nazi skinheads targeted his family. Canada granted him Convention refugee status in 1998 and permanent residence in 1999. Roman spent over two decades as a permanent resident of Canada before being stripped of this status in 2023 due to cessation. He now faces removal on September 18, 2026.

Roman, now 58, lives in Toronto’s East End. His younger brother, two daughters and two grandchildren also live in Toronto. He enjoyed a long career in residential construction and renovation, building homes in Toronto neighbourhoods for the same company for over twenty years. Canada is his home.

We cannot let a member of our community be deported before his applications and court cases are fully heard and decided. We are calling on the federal government to treat Roman justly by postponing his removal and allowing him to stay in Canada, in his home and with his family – at least until he has the chance to have his Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) decided. This will be the first step to getting his permanent residence restored.

08/21/2026

Thanks to Income Security Advocacy Centre - ISAC for this information.

*New social assistance rules exclude vulnerable people based on immigration status*

On August 13, 2026, the Ontario government made changes to the rules about social assistance eligibility that may affect people with temporary status or no immigration status in Canada. Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) are already contacting some people about their eligibility. This post has information about who is still eligible for social assistance and who might not be because of the changes.

On August 13, 2026, the Ontario government made changes to the rules about social assistance eligibility that may affect people with temporary status or no immigration status in Canada. Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) are already contacting some people about thei...

08/21/2026

Join us on September 9th!

Join TNO – The Neighbourhood Organization and Don Valley Community Legal Services for a free, accessible information session on wills, estate planning, and essential legal protections.

Our guest speaker, paralegal Suzannah Li from Don Valley Community Legal Services, will walk you through avoiding common legal headaches, navigating Powers of Attorney for personal care versus property, drafting wills and codicils, and managing real estate considerations.

When: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Where: Meeting Room #1, TNO – Thorncliffe Park Community Hub (45 Overlea Blvd, Unit 200, East York Town Centre, Toronto)

Complimentary refreshments will be served.

Spots are limited and registration is required! To reserve your seat, reach out to TNO Settlement Worker Nawal Ateeq by phone at (416) 421-3054 Ext. 1234 or by email at [email protected].

07/22/2026

The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is a new monthly federal benefit for people with disabilities who earn under a certain income and who maintain other eligibility requirements (such as being eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.)

The Income Security Advocacy Centre - ISAC has designed a new CDB Rates Sheet to help community legal clinics, clients, and members of the public understand the changes in CDB amounts or limits that will occur annually.

https://incomesecurity.org/new-resource-canada-disability-benefit-rates-sheet/

Send a message to learn more

07/22/2026

Social Assistance Rates are Stuck in Time: Tell the Ontario Government to Fix Ontario Works!

Thanks for leading this campaign Income Security Advocacy Centre - ISAC

1500 – 55 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5J 2H7 Tel: (416) 597-5820 • Toll Free: 1-866-245-4072 • Fax: (416) 597-5821

07/14/2026

Today we provided a pop-up legal clinic at Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre. Thanks for having us! We were able to provide free legal services on site during food bank hours. We're always looking for new ways to meet people in the community.

07/07/2026

Several amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, will come into effect throughout 2026, through the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 and the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023 – many of which will make eviction quicker and easier.

Read our recent post to learn about the changes that came into effect July 1st and check out our tip sheet for tenants.

Several amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, will come into effect throughout 2026, through the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 and the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023 – many of which will make eviction quicker and easier. July 1, 2026 Changes Request to R...

06/24/2026

Looking forward to celebrating with our community July 1st!

The Neighbours Together on Canada Day community celebration is back July 1st, 2026! 🇨🇦🎉

We kick off at 11:30 am until 3:30 pm in Riverdale Park East (by St. Matthew's Clubhouse)

🐲 Lion dance
🎤 Multicultural singing & dancing
➡️ Indigenous drum group
🥋 Martial arts demonstration
🌭 BBQ
🎂 Canada Day cake
🎨 Children's activities
ℹ️ Community groups and elected representatives info booths

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Ralph Thornton Community Centre Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre Don Valley Community Legal Services Paula Fletcher Peter Tabuns Julie Dabrusin

06/15/2026

Join TNO's SWIS Program for a FREE virtual information session on key social assistance and income support programs available in Canada.

Guest Speaker: Rana Ismail, Attorney, Don Valley Community Legal Services.

📅 Wednesday, June 17, 2026
🕑 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
💻 Online via Zoom
🔗 Meeting link will be provided upon registration.

Topics Include:
✔️ Ontario Works (OW)
✔️ Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
✔️ Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
✔️ Old Age Security (OAS)

This session is a great opportunity to learn about eligibility, benefits, and available supports, and to have your questions answered by a legal expert.

For more information or to register, contact Dima Agha:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (416) 996-4232

05/15/2026

Join us at the Thorncliffe Park Community Hub Open House on May 23rd!

DVCLS moved into the Hub in 2025 and we would love to see you at the Open House. We will have free legal information and resources, as well as ongoing info sessions throughout the afternoon.

Whether you’ve visited us before or you’re curious about what the Hub has to offer, this is your chance to explore the space, connect with your neighbors, and discover the services and programs in the Hub.

When: Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: 45 Overlea Blvd, Second Floor, East York Town Centre (use Entrance 6)
Drop in anytime — no registration needed.

The event includes:
- Guided tours of the Hub
- Meet your local service providers and partners
- Meet your neighborhood’s grassroots leaders and Resident Council members
- Fun activities and giveaways

The Hub was built with the community in mind, offering holistic services that support your health, well-being, employment, legal, settlement, and daily life. Join us to learn more about what the hub has to offer.

TNO - The Neighbourhood Organization