Category Archives: News

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) is introducing co-payments starting May 1, 2026, which may affect access to certain healthcare services and medications. Coverage under IFHP will continue, but individuals may now be required to pay a portion of costs … Continue reading →

On March 26, 2026, the government of Canada passed a new law called Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act. Among the serious changes, the new law significantly limits who can make a refugee claim in Canada. NEW RULES IMPACTING REFUGEE CLAIMS … Continue reading →

This May, our free public legal education workshops will be held virtually (via Teams): HIV and Aging: Legal Considerations When Turning 65Presenter: Talia Wolfe, HALCO Staff LawyerDate: Thursday, May 07, 3:00–4:00 pm (EST)Click here to register Refugee Claims and Bill … Continue reading →

On March 26, 2026, Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received Royal Assent and became law, despite significant and sustained concerns by civil society organizations, legal experts, and international human rights bodies. The HIV Legal Network and the … Continue reading →

HALCO and HIV Legal Network unequivocally denounce the Government of Ontario’s decision to end provincial funding for Consumption and Treatment Services (also known as supervised consumption services, or SCS) and order site operators across Ontario to draft wind-down plans to … Continue reading →

HALCO and the HIV Legal Network strongly oppose the Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act, 2025 (MRPIDAA), which risks further destabilizing access to housing and deepening the harms experienced by people who use drugs. By introducing new provincial … Continue reading →

The Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act is a new law that is part of the province’s Safer Municipalities Act. The other part includes changes to the Trespass to Property Act. The Safer Municipalities Act became law in 2025. This … Continue reading →

HALCO and HIV Legal Network condemn the decision to introduce co-payments under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).  As health providers, refugee advocates, and legal experts have already warned, these changes will create new barriers to care for people who already face profound obstacles to … Continue reading →

The Legal Network and HALCO oppose the proposed amendment to the Coroners Act that seeks to replace mandatory inquests for non-natural deaths in provincial and federal correctional institutions with mandatory coroner-led annual reviews. This proposal represents a significant erosion of … Continue reading →

Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 12 to 1 p.m. The Safer Municipalities Act (Bill 6) became law in 2025. This legislation gives police and bylaw officers new powers to order people to: Bill 6 also increases fines and prison sentences for … Continue reading →