Other Areas of Law

This section includes information about some other areas of law that might be of interest to people living in Ontario, including:

  • consumer, credit and debt information,
  • information for victims of crime
  • Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB), and
  • information about real estate in Ontario.

Consumer Law

Consumer law relates to the buying and selling of products and services.  Products include everything from small everyday items to big items like cars.  Services can include fitness club memberships, home repairs, car repairs, vacations, etc.

There are a variety of Consumer laws in Ontario.  The laws that may apply depend on the type of product or service.  The Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services website has links to Ontario consumer protection laws:  www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/Pages/Consumer_Protection_Legislation.aspx

The Ontario Government website also includes:

  • an index of many different consumer law topics:  www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/Pages/All_Topics_Index.aspx information about consumer rights
  • the “Here to Help” section provides information about consumer rights, consumer complaints and other topics:  www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/Pages/default.aspx
  • information about cancelling a contract:  www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/Pages/Cancel_a_Contract.aspx
  • “Identity Theft” information:  www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/Pages/Identity_Theft.aspx
  • Information about common “scams”:  www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/Pages/Scams_and_Frauds.aspx

Getting legal help

If you are living with HIV and have questions about Consumer law, please contact us for information and referrals.

You can also contact your local community legal clinic.

You can also contact the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services: www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/Pages/Consumer_Protection_Toolbox.aspx

Law Help Ontario provides information and resources, including information about suing, being sued, Small Claims Court and Superior Court of Justice guides and forms, etc.:   www.lawhelpontario.org/civil/www.lawhelpontario.org/

Credit and Debt

This section contains information about resources if you are having problems with your credit or because you have debt(s).

The Government of Canada website includes Dealing with Debt: A Consumer’s Guide:   www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/bsf-osb.nsf/eng/br01861.html

Credit Counselling Services

Credit Counselling Services help people who are having debt or credit problems.  Credit counsellors can work with you to develop a financial assessment and prepare you to make an informed choice about your options for credit and debt management. They can also intervene on your behalf or refer you to other services that may be of help for your circumstances.

The Ontario Association of Credit Counselling Services (OACCS) website provides information about credit and credit counselling.  The OACCS also provides a Central Referral Service to help you find an OACCS member credit counselling service in your area:  toll-free telephone 1-888-746-3328, www.oaccs.com/main.html

Collection Agencies

If you do not pay a bill, the organization that you owe money to may turn your account over to a “Collection Agency”.  A collection agency is an organization that tries to get you to pay money that you owe or that a creditor says that you owe.

The Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services website has information about collection agencies:

A Credit Counselling Service may help you to negotiate with the company or collection agency (see Credit Counselling Services above).

Bankruptcy

“Bankruptcy” is a legal process that can help you if you are not able to manage your debt.

The Government of Canada Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy  includes information about bankruptcy, bankruptcy alternatives, trustees in bankruptcy, etc.:  www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/bsf-osb.nsf/eng/h_br01854.html

A bankruptcy can only be filed through a trustee in bankruptcy who is licensed by the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy.  The trustee in bankruptcy evaluates your financial situation and will then explain the options available to help you to address your financial problems.

Trustees in bankruptcy charge fees to handle bankruptcy.  If you are not able to pay the fees, the Government of Canada Bankruptcy Assistance Program may assist you:  www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/bankruptcy_assistance.shtml

Declaring bankruptcy will affect your credit rating and your ability to get credit, loans, etc. so it is important that you be sure that bankruptcy is the best option for you.  Before you consider bankruptcy, you can consult a Credit Counselling Service to find out about other options (see Credit Counselling Services above).

Getting legal help

If you are living with HIV in Ontario and have questions about debt, please contact us for information and referrals.

If you live in Ontario, you can also contact your local Ontario community legal clinic.

Law Help Ontario provides information and resources, including information about suing, being sued, Small Claims Court and Superior Court of Justice guides and forms, etc.: www.lawhelpontario.org/civil/www.lawhelpontario.org/

Victims of Crime

This section has information for victims of crime in Ontario.

The Ontario Government website has information about programs and services for victims of crime:  www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/ovss/programs.asp

The Government of Canada has a Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime whose website includes information about victim services, victim rights, and registering as a victim:  www.victimsfirst.gc.ca/index.html

If you are afraid that someone close to you might hurt you, please see Family/Domestic Violence in our Family Law section.

Getting legal help

If you are living with HIV and have questions about CICB, please contact us for information and referrals.  If you are not living with HIV, you can contact your local Ontario community legal clinic.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board

The Ontario Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) provides financial compensation for victims of violent crime and family members of deceased victims of violent crime in Ontario:  www.cicb.gov.on.ca/en/index.htm

Getting legal help

If you are living with HIV and have questions about CICB, please contact us for information and referrals.  If you are not living with HIV, you can contact your local Ontario community legal clinic.

Real Estate Law

“Real Estate” law has to do with buying and selling property, mortgages, property ownership issues, etc.  Real Estate law is generally handled by private lawyers on a fee-for-service basis.

You can contact the Ontario Lawyer Referral Service for a referral to a lawyer for up to 30 minutes of free legal advice: www.lsuc.on.ca/faq.aspx?id=1146