Hamilton Community Legal Clinic

09/14/2020

carl-acaadr.ca

@DavidLametti @FedCourt_CAN_en We are collectively calling in Minister to Lametti to: (i) fill the current six vacancies on the Federal Court with BIPOC identified judges and (ii) reform to the criteria employed by the Federal Judicial Advisory Committees to better value the experiences of BIPOC candidates. There are only two judges on the Federal Court who identify as Black, Indigenous or Person of Colour (BIPOC); the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada remain all-white benches. We are hoping our letter can be part of the movement to change that.

https://carl-acaadr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/EN-Letter-to-the-Min-of-Justice-1.pdf

09/09/2020

Check out these flowcharts that the Durham Community Legal Clinic has created to provide tenants and community legal workers with some valuable legal information👇

09/09/2020

⚡️Attention tenants⚡️

Want to know what to expect for a video/teleconference hearing at the Landlord Tenant Board? Check out this tip sheet below 👇

Text description:
VIDEO/TELECONFERENCE at
LANDLORD AND TENANT BOARD
WHAT TO EXPECT
STEPS: after a landlord or tenant has filed their application with the Board
1. Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) mails application and notification of Case Management Hearing to both parties.
a. Case Management Hearing is only for tenant applications
b. If email included in applications, then forms will be sent by email
c. These have been teleconferences ONLY with the parties involved participating
d. ALL parties MUST participate or risk losing their case

What is a case management hearing?
-An opportunity to settle the matter with terms resolving all tenancy issues or the tenancy issues contained in the application. Conversation facilitated by a mediator appointed by the LTB.
-Not required to settle
-No prejudice to the parties
-Discussions private and confidential
-If settlement reached = no hearing with an adjudicator
-Parties decide when evidence will be exchanged and how
- If no settlement, mediation ends and a notice of hearing for a “trial” with an adjudicator will be sent to the parties for a hearing at a later date

2. Notice of Video Hearing, which looks like this:
a. Prior to hearing: Download Microsoft Teams (ideally because the application will run smoother)
b. Glitches: if the application is not downloaded, then you may experience glitches such as unable to use microphone or video. If this happens, copy and paste the link into various different browsers (Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox etc.) until one of them allows the link to fully work.

3. Exchange of evidence:
a. Accompanying your Notice of Hearing there will be a document outlining when and how to exchange evidence in advance of the hearing. Parties must comply. If they miss the deadline, still exchange evidence ASAP.
b. Documents can be exchanged by mail to the LTB and opposing party by mail or email.
c. LTB prefers evidence by email:
-Email: [email protected]
- Subject line of email should include: the word "EVIDENCE,” your file number and hearing date
- Mail: Identify the evidence, file number and hearing date in a separate cover sheet
- Mail: Southern-RO, 119 King St. West Hamilton ON L8P 4Y7 6th floor
d. Video evidence should be mailed and contained in a USB
e. Photographic evidence can either be contained in a USB or developed
f. BOTH opposing party and LTB must receive evidence by the deadline

4. Hearing:
1. Although this is a video conference, parties can participate by phone by dialing the number provided
2. Call or enter video conference 15 minutes before it begins
3. MOST hearings are HEARING BLOCKS, meaning that there are hearings at the same time and you will sit through them until your matter is called.
4. While waiting for your hearing place your microphone, or phone on mute

5. During your hearing you will refer to the evidence that you submitted and the adjudicator will turn their attention to it

6. Process of testimony, adducing evidence into the record, cross examination, reply and closing statements remain the same

ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES
1. It goes without saying that this format lacks meaningful access to justice as there are many barriers, technological and otherwise
2. Parties can w-rite the LTB seeking an in person hearing for compelling reasons including accommodation under the Human Rights Code, lack of access to technology, procedural fairness etc.
3. Representatives can decide if they call in person with their client or separately

09/08/2020

Opportunités d'emploi - Clinique juridique communautaire de Hamilton

📣Opportunité d'emploi 📣

Partagez-vous notre passion pour la justice sociale?

Consultez notre offre d'emploi pour un avocat spécialisé dans le droit du logement contractuel (Contrat de six mois avec possibilité de prolongation)!

https://hamiltonjustice.ca/fr/a-propos-de-nous/opportunites-demploi/

Partagez-vous notre passion pour la justice sociale?

09/08/2020

Employment Opportunities - Hamilton Community Legal Clinic

📣We’re hiring!📣

Do you share our passion for social justice? Check out our job posting for a contract housing law lawyer
(Six month contract with possible extension)!

https://hamiltonjustice.ca/en/about/employment/

Positions with the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic are posted here when available.

09/08/2020

How to negotiate a repayment plan with your landlord

The Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario created a tenant tip sheet on how to negotiate a repayment plan with your landlord, which you can find here: https://www.acto.ca/documents/rent_repayment_plans/

They also prepared a tip sheet on what to do if you get an N4 notice, which you can find here: https://www.acto.ca/documents/n4_notice_eviction/

If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay your rent, your landlord might try to push you to agree to a plan to repay the rent you owe. Use this tip sheet to get legal information on repayment plans and what to do if your landlord is pressuring you into signing a payment plan that is

09/06/2020

‘Rents are rising in an enormous way’: New anti-poverty coalition calling for ‘just recovery’ in Ontario

Our community developer speaks of a Just Recovery for Ontario

Don’t squander chance to reimagine more equitable society after COVID-19, group says

09/06/2020

‘Rents are rising in an enormous way’: New anti-poverty coalition calling for ‘just recovery’ in Ontario

“Our system continues to take from the most vulnerable and put it in the pockets of the people who have financial power,” said Maria Antelo, a community developer with the HCLC.”

Check out this article on Just Recovery Ontario’s campaign 👇

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2020/09/06/rents-are-rising-in-an-enormous-way-new-anti-poverty-coalition-calling-for-just-recovery-in-ontario.html

Don’t squander chance to reimagine more equitable society after COVID-19, group says

09/05/2020

Hamilton police ready to reimagine policing, while board rejects 20% budget cut | CBC News

Hamilton police ready to reimagine policing, while board rejects 20% budget cut | CBC News

Hamilton police issued a statement against systemic racism Thursday, moments before the service's oversight board voted against cutting the service's budget by 20 per cent.

09/04/2020

Opinion | Universal basic income in Canada won’t do enough to fix inequality

We need structural changes immediately

To effectively target these inequalities, society has to first ensure that public services are in place to meet people’s needs.

09/01/2020

Please consider endorsing this campaign:
www.JustRecoveryOntario.ca

09/01/2020

Just Recovery Ontario

HCLC endorses a just recovery for Ontarians. The pandemic starkly showed just how badly our support systems work for people who face marginalization due to poverty, oppression and inequality.

justrecoveryontario.ca #justrecoveryontario

The pandemic starkly showed just how badly our support systems work for people who face marginalization due to poverty, oppression and inequality. It is time we fixed our safety net to guarantee quality living conditions for all communities. COVID-19 has proven that governments can act swiftly to ch

08/30/2020

Migrant Workers Win COVID-19 Protections in Canadian Court Case

Migrant Workers Win COVID-19 Protections in Canadian Court Case

The decision upholds a disputed pandemic-related public health rule that limits the number of migrant workers allowed to quarantine together in a bunkhouse to three.

08/28/2020

Hamilton rents ‘sky-high’ amid pandemic: report

Hamilton rents ‘sky-high’ amid pandemic: report

Growing cost and demand for rentals amid coronavirus pandemic are creating a "complex issue" for Hamilton.

08/25/2020

The Hamilton Community Legal Clinic has proudly signed onto NAWL’s letter calling on the Prime Minister and Attorney General of Canada to fill the upcoming supreme court vacancies with individuals who are Indigenous, Black, or from an equity seeking community.

08/25/2020

Statement: OHRC files motion to address Ontario’s breach of legal obligation to keep prisoners with mental health disabilities out of segregation

Today, the OHRC filed a motion with the HRTO for an order to hold Ontario accountable for failing to meet its legal obligations to keep prisoners with mental health disabilities out of segregation. Read more:

Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) filed a motion with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) for an order to hold Ontario accountable for failing to meet its legal obligations to

08/24/2020

During a City of Hamilton council meeting, 9 councillors voted (3 opposed) to challenge the current injunction prohibiting the City from involuntarily removing residents of encampments. We are headed to court in early September. Our goal remains the same: calling for a human rights based approach to encampments in Hamilton.

08/24/2020

www.sprc.hamilton.on.ca

SPRC has just released three bulletins related to Covid-19 in Hamilton. You can find them here:http://www.sprc.hamilton.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/SPRC-Hamilton-Social-Landscape-COVID-full-series-August-2020.pdf .

This research was produced by Sara Mayo, Social Planner and Hannah Barrie, hired under the Canada Summer Jobs program. The local analysis mirrors that which has been reported at the provincial level and could be useful in your discussions with your boards, funders, memberships to help support the increased need for services in our community. Please feel free to share with your staff, networks etc.

08/24/2020

Temperatures feeling near 40 prompt Hamilton heat warning | CBC News

Hamilton family stay safe and watch out for vulnerable friends, family and neighbours

Hamilton and surrounding areas are under a heat warning as Environment Canada says the temperature may feel as hot as 39 on Sunday and Monday.

08/23/2020

Crowd-Source to help Anti-Racism efforts

The Canadian Race Relations would like to request and encourage your active participation in a crowd sourcing data collection survey on the experiences of discrimination created by Statistics Canada.

For more information:
https://mailchi.mp/crrf-fcrr/september-4052421

08/23/2020

City will head to court for right to dismantle the 51 tents pitched downtown | CBC News

City will head to court for right to dismantle the 51 tents pitched downtown | CBC News

The city says it will challenge a court injunction preventing it from dismantling the more than 50 tents that have popped up downtown that house people who are sleeping rough.

08/21/2020

Concerns that Hamilton police accessing COVID-19 test data is 'invasion of privacy' | CBC News

"...... Kojo Damptey, interim executive director of HCCI, said he has warned the city about over surveillance by police in the past. “ He doesn't understand the rationale police offer for accessing the data.

"If they are concerned about their wellbeing, the prudent thing is to get personal protective equipment and not access the private information of residents," he said.
"It doesn't help from keeping you safe from COVID-19, wearing PPE keeps you safe ... this is why marginalized communities don't trust police."

Hamilton residents who tested for COVID-19 and local civic rights groups are speaking out about Hamilton police accessing health information 10,293 times between April 17 and July 20.

08/21/2020

Hamilton Community Legal Clinic's cover photo

08/20/2020

Contributors | Opinion | The Spec

How racism affects family, work and society at large

Read the latest Commentary news stories from Hamilton and the surrounding area.

08/19/2020

Bill 184 Tenant Rights Webinar

Bill 184 Tenant Rights Webinar

Join us and hear from our staff lawyers and the Tools For Tenant Rights Project to learn more about #Bill184, evictions and your tenant rights!

08/19/2020

Starting today at 2 PM

08/19/2020

‪Nous recevons de plus en plus de questions sur nos réseaux sociaux concernant les conflits entre locataires.‬

‪Pour répondre à certaines de ces questions, nous avons préparé une fiche d'information qui contient des informations que vous pouvez utiliser pour vous défendre.‬

Description de l’image:

S'il y a un autre locataire avec lequel vous ne vous entendez pas, l'une des premières choses que vous pouvez faire est d'essayer de régler les choses entre vous. Vous pouvez parler ou écrire à cette personne et exprimer poliment vos soucis. La personne n'est pas toujours consciente de l'impact de ses actes sur les autres.

L'autre personne avec qui vous devez parler est votre propriétaire ou votre gestionnaire immobilier. L'une des obligations du propriétaire selon la loi sur la location à usage d'habitation est de garantir que chaque locataire puisse vivre paisiblement dans la propriété. Si l'action d'un locataire empêche un autre locataire de vivre paisiblement, c'est au propriétaire de trouver une solution au problème. Pour aider votre propriétaire ou votre gestionnaire immobilier à trouver une solution, vous pouvez:

- parlez avec votre propriétaire ou votre gestionnaire immobilier à propos des mesures qu'ils prennent pour régler le problème de l'autre locataire ;
- présenter votre ou vos plaintes au propriétaire ou au gestionnaire immobilier sous forme écrite ;
- si votre propriétaire ou votre gestionnaire immobilier essaie de régler le problème, vous pouvez l'aider en lui fournissant un compte rendu écrit de ce qui s'est passé avec l'autre locataire.

Dans la plupart des cas, les problèmes avec un autre locataire peuvent être réglés entre vous deux et/ou avec l'aide de votre propriétaire ou du gestionnaire immobilier. Toutefois, dans certaines situations, il est possible que vous deviez contacter la police. Par exemple, si vous pensez que vous êtes en danger, vous devez contacter la police. Vous pouvez écrire une lettre à votre propriétaire ou au gestionnaire immobilier pour les informer que vous êtes inquiet pour votre sécurité. L'une des obligations que le locataire a selon la loi sur la location à usage d'habitation est de ne pas interférer avec les droits des autres locataires. Si vos droits sont violés, vous pouvez informer le propriétaire de cette violation en lui écrivant et lui demander de prendre des mesures contre l'autre locataire.

Si votre propriétaire ne prend pas de mesures raisonnables pour régler les problèmes avec le ou les locataires problématiques, vous pouvez déposer une demande T2 contre le propriétaire auprès de la Commission de la location immobilière. Nous ne fournissons pas de conseils ou de représentation qui pourraient résulter en l'expulsion d'un locataire. Vous pouvez obtenir des informations sur la procédure sur le site web de la CLI et/ou en contactant la clinique au 905-527-4572.

08/19/2020

‪Recently, we have been receiving more and more questions on social media regarding conflict between tenants.‬

‪To answer some of these questions, we have compiled a fact sheet with some things that you can do to advocate for yourself.‬ Check it out!

Image description:

If there is another tenant that you are not getting along with, one of the first things you should do is to try to work things out. You can talk to or write to the person and voice your concerns politely. It is not always the case that the person is aware of the impact of their actions on others.

The other person you should talk to is your landlord or property manager. One of the obligations that a landlord has under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) is to ensure that each tenant has peaceful enjoyment of the rental property. If the action of a tenant is depriving another tenant of their peaceful enjoyment, then it is up to the landlord to come up with a solution to the problem. To help your landlord or property manager come up with a solution, you can:

- talk to your landlord or property manager about the steps that they are taking to deal with the other tenant;
- make your complaint(s) to the landlord or property manager in writing; and
- if your landlord or property manager is attempting to deal with the problem, you can assist them by providing a written record of what has occurred with the other tenant.

In most situations, problems with another tenant can be resolved between the two of you and/or with the help of your landlord or property manager. However, there are some situations where you may need to contact the police. For example, if you believe that you are in danger, you should contact the police. You may want to write a letter to your landlord or property manager informing them that you are concerned for your safety. One of the obligations that a tenant has under the RTA is to not interfere with the rights of other tenants. If your rights are being interfered with, then you can inform the landlord of this interference in writing and request that the landlord take action against the other tenant.

If your landlord fails to take reasonable steps to address the issues with the problematic tenant(s) you can file a T2 application against the landlord at the Landlord & Tenant Board. We do not provide advice or representation that would result in the eviction of a tenant. You may obtain information about the process on the LTB website and/or by contacting the clinic at 905-527-4572.