Find a Lawyer » Canada Legal Guides » Ontario Legal Guides » Page 105
❌Generally, your employer must modify your job to help with your medical needs or disability. However, the legal concept of undue hardship Ontario allows a company to legally refuse your…
👶If you are fired shortly after announcing you are expecting, or right before returning from mat leave, it is generally considered pregnancy discrimination in Ontario. Employers often disguise this as…
🚨If you were actively headhunted from a stable job and fired shortly after, the legal concept of inducement to leave secure employment Ontario may entitle you to a significantly larger…
📄If you experience workplace discrimination in Ontario, knowing how to file a human rights complaint at the HRTO against an employer is essential. You generally have exactly one year from…
💡Under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC), employers are strictly prohibited from discriminating against you based on protected grounds in employment, such as your age, race, sex, disability, or gender…
🚨Generally, you cannot get severance pay if you voluntarily quit your job in Ontario. However, if your employer forces you to resign by drastically changing your job duties, cutting your…
💰If your former employer owes you $50,000 or less in severance pay, you can sue them in the Ontario Small Claims Court. This legal route is generally much faster and…
💡Generally, if an employer acts cruelly, lies, or humiliates you during a termination, you may be entitled to Bad Faith Damages in Ontario. Also known historically as Wallace damages or…
❗When dealing with a Termination With Cause in Ontario, it is crucial to understand that simply being bad at your job does not give your employer the right to fire…
💡If you are fired in Ontario, you generally have a legal duty to seek comparable employment to mitigate your common law notice damages. Under the 2026 Williamson precedent, your employer…
❗When asking Can an Employer Deduct Money from Your Paycheque in Ontario for Mistakes, the legal answer is almost always no. The law generally forbids businesses from making you pay…
❗When dealing with Fixed-Term Employment Contracts in Ontario, many employers do not realize the massive financial risk of early termination. If you are let go without cause before your agreed-upon…
👶When planning your Maternity and Parental Leave Ontario, the Employment Standards Act (ESA) strongly guarantees up to 18 months of job-protected time off for new parents. While your specific position…
💡Under the Right to Disconnect Policy Ontario rules, employers with 25 or more workers generally need to provide a written document clearly explaining their after-hours communication expectations. While this encourages…
❗When dealing with Non-Compete Clauses in Ontario, the most important thing to know is that they are generally illegal and completely unenforceable for the vast majority of regular workers. Unless…
❗When it comes to Sick Leave Rights in Ontario, the Employment Standards Act (ESA) guarantees most workers 3 unpaid, job-protected sick days per calendar year. Additionally, for serious medical conditions,…
🚨In Ontario, there is no automatic probationary period under the Employment Standards Act, though the Act exempts employers from paying statutory notice if you are let go within your first…
❗When dealing with the issue of an Independent Contractor vs Employee in Ontario, the Ministry of Labour cares about your actual daily working relationship, not just the contract you signed.…
🚨If your employer significantly cuts your pay, drastically changes your duties, or creates an unbearable environment to force you out, this is generally known as a Constructive Dismissal Ontario. You…
🔒If you are applying for probate without a will, learning about dispensing with the administration bond in Ontario probate applications is crucial. The court generally requires a costly insurance deposit…
🔍If family members question how you spent the deceased’s money, a formal Passing of Accounts in Ontario is the legal process where you must prove your financial honesty to a…
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Refugee Claims, Immigration Appeals, Detention Reviews, Humanitarian Applications
🗣️ Languages: English, French, Spanish
📍 Address: 4145 N Service Rd, Burlington, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2014
🎯 Specialization: Wrongful Dismissal, Employment Contracts, Human Rights
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 180 Northfield Dr W, Waterloo, Ontario
🎯 Specialization: Pay Equity, Workplace Investigations, Professional Regulation, Wrongful Dismissal, Sexual Harassment
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 103 Church St, Toronto, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2010
🎯 Specialization: Wrongful Dismissal, Executive Contracts, Union Certification, Human Rights
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 228 Hunt Club Rd, Ottawa, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2019
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Police Accountability, Bail Hearings, Youth Criminal Justice, Human Rights
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 2 County Ct Blvd, Brampton, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2015
🎯 Specialization: Employer Defence, Labour Law, Workplace Investigations, HR Compliance
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 380 Wellington St, London, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2019
🎯 Specialization: Wrongful Dismissal, Severance Packages, Constructive Dismissal, Workplace Harassment, Employment Contracts, Human Rights
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 1501 Howard Ave, Windsor, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2012
🎯 Specialization: Refugee Claims, Federal Court Appeals, LGBTQ+ Immigration, Family Sponsorship
🗣️ Languages: English, French, Spanish
📍 Address: 500 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2019
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: DUI Defence, Drug Trafficking, Domestic Assault, Bail Hearings
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 214 Bond St E, Oshawa, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2017
🎯 Specialization: Wrongful Dismissal, Workplace Harassment, Long Term Disability, Professional Discipline, Union Grievances
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 400 Applewood Crescent Suite 100, Vaughan, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2013
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Intake Services, Investigations Unit, Case Management, Systemic Review
📍 655 Bay St, Toronto, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Congratulatory Scrolls, Birth Certificates (Assistance), Death Certificates (Assistance), Marriage Licenses (Assistance)
📍 10215 Kennedy Rd N, Brampton, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Social Assistance Application, Discretionary Benefits
📍 99 Regina St S, Waterloo, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Food Handler Certificate, Immunization Record
📍 50 High Tech Rd, Richmond Hill, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Board Minutes, Agendas, Policy Documents, Strategic Plans
📍 10 Peel Centre Dr, Brampton, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Work Refusal Reports, Injury Reports, Employment Claim Files
📍 4510 Rhodes Dr, Windsor, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Condo Returns, Notices of Change
📍 2 St. Clair Ave E, Toronto, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Case Management, Scheduling Unit, Customer Service, Legal Services
📍 15 Grosvenor St, Toronto, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Registry Office, Mediation Services, Adjudication Services
📍 240 Sparks St, Ottawa, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Social Services Division, Employment Services, Case Management, Special Supports
📍 250 Main St E, Hamilton, Ontario
Welcome to the Ontario Legal Guides centre. Here you will find comprehensive resources covering everything from family disputes to corporate law, based on current provincial regulations.
Navigating the legal landscape in Canada’s most populous province can be complex and intimidating. These comprehensive legal guides are designed to help Ontarians understand their rights and responsibilities under common law and provincial statutes. Whether you are dealing with a stressful family separation, drafting a real estate contract, or facing criminal charges, having access to accurate, up-to-date information is the first step toward a resolution.
Provincial laws govern many aspects of daily life, from how you buy a home to how you settle a workplace dispute. Understanding the rules set out by legislation like the Family Law Act, the Employment Standards Act, or the Residential Tenancies Act can prevent small disagreements from turning into costly legal battles. Our guides aim to break down these complex topics into plain English so you can make informed decisions.
The justice system in this province is structured to handle everything from minor traffic tickets to major civil lawsuits. Serious criminal matters and large civil disputes are heard by the Superior Court of Justice, which is the highest trial court in the province. Meanwhile, family matters and less severe provincial offences are often dealt with by the Ontario Court of Justice, ensuring cases are routed to the appropriate venue for efficient resolution.
Aside from the courts, everyday legal matters often involve interacting with various provincial and municipal agencies. You may need to visit ServiceOntario to register a business or update vital statistics, or work with the Land Registry Office during a property purchase. In cases involving public safety or traffic enforcement, you might also interact with local authorities such as the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) or municipal services like the Toronto Police Service.
While reading up on your rights is a great starting point, trying to solve a complex legal problem without professional guidance is highly risky. We strongly advise against representing yourself in court or drafting complex legal agreements using DIY templates. Misinterpreting Ontario statutes or missing strict filing deadlines can lead to severe financial losses, denied claims, or unfavourable court judgments.
Retaining a qualified lawyer ensures that your rights are vigorously protected and that you are following proper legal procedures. A legal professional can advocate for you during negotiations, mediate disputes, and represent you effectively before an Ontario judge. You can find a list of relevant local lawyers and government agencies at the top of this page.
The Superior Court of Justice handles major civil lawsuits, serious criminal offences, and complex family law matters like divorce and property division. The Ontario Court of Justice deals with provincial offences like traffic tickets, minor criminal charges, and child protection or support cases.
Many daily matters, such as property ownership, wills, and most employment disputes, are governed by provincial law. Criminal law and divorce are governed by federal statutes, but they are administered through the provincial court system right here in Ontario.
Under the provincial Limitations Act, the standard limitation period to file a civil lawsuit is generally two years from the day you first discover the claim or realize that you suffered a loss. Missing this deadline usually means you lose your right to sue.
No, taking a case all the way to trial is actually quite rare. The vast majority of civil disputes in Ontario are settled outside of court through direct negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, which saves both parties significant time and legal expenses.
The age of majority in Ontario is 18 years old. This is the age at which a person is legally considered an adult, granting them the legal capacity to sign binding contracts, draft a valid will, and independently file a lawsuit.
Legal fees vary widely depending on the complexity of your case and the lawyer’s level of experience. Many lawyers charge hourly rates, while others might offer a flat fee for drafting standard documents like a will or handling a straightforward real estate transaction.
