Community Advocacy

Students review the requirements for eligibility for retirement, survivors', childrens', and disability benefits. Students look at the applications for benefits, with special focus on the types of evidence and information that must be submitted with the application for disability benefits in order to meet the qualification standards. Students also look at avenues for appealing adverse decisions on eligibility. Finally, students learn practical tips to assist community advocates in their work on Canada Pension Plan benefits matters.

Students review the application process, income and asset assessments, and employment supports programs. Learners look at the types of benefits available to successful OW applicants and review the right to appeal decisions made by the Ontario Works staff. Finally, students review the role of the community advocate in these cases and share tips to assist community advocates in their work on OW matters.

Introduces learners to the law and procedures that govern residential tenancies in Ontario. The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) defines and regulates the relationship between a residential tenant and his or her landlord. In this course student are introduced to the RTA, and to its enforcing body, the Landlord and Tenant Board. Students look at what constitutes a residential lease, ending a lease before the termination date, and rules relating to rent.

Students focus on consumer protection laws aimed at collection agencies, credit reporting agencies, itinerant salespersons, and unfair business practices. Learners will look at various federal and Ontario statutes designed to protect consumers, including the Collection Agencies Act, the Credit Reporting Act, the Consumer Reporting Act, and the Consumer Protection Act. Students look at "hot" topics affecting consumers, and learn what rights and remedies consumers have when they find themselves entangled with unscrupulous or slipshod vendors. Finally, students learn practical tips to assist community advocates in their work on consumer protection matters.

Introduces learners to which workers are covered under the Act, what types of workplace issues, conditions and rights are protected under the Act, helpful resources related to Employment Standards matters, and how to file a claim under the Act. Students also look at rights of appeal and discuss how assisting with initial claims and appeals is an important role for community advocates.

Introduces learners to the law and procedures that govern residential tenancies in Ontario. The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) defines and regulates the relationship between a residential tenant and his or her landlord. In this course students are introduced to the RTA, and to its enforcing body, the Landlord and Tenant Board. Students also look at privacy and harassment issues, evictions, and repair and maintenance issues.

Introduces learners to the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Students review the types of actions that are covered, the areas of protection, and the grounds of discrimination established by each of these laws. Students use case studies to explain and illustrate the role of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and that of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, as well as to illustrate everyday instances of discrimination and how they are dealt with under each law.

Students review the application process, income and asset assessments, and employment supports programs. Students look at the types of benefits available to successful ODSP applicants, and review the right to appeal decisions made by the ODSP staff. Finally, students review the role of the community advocate in these cases and share tips to assist community advocates in their work on ODSP matters.

Part I of this course focuses on consumer protection laws aimed at collection agencies, credit reporting agencies, itinerant salespersons, and unfair business practices. We review applicable laws such as the Collection Agencies Act, Credit Reporting Act, Consumer Reporting Act and the Consumer Protection Act. In part II, we focus on energy rebillers, cell phone contracts, consumer fraud (internet, telephone, and mail), payday loans, and other timely topics. We review the protections afforded by the Ontario Energy Board Act, the Payday Loans Act, and other consumer protection laws. Knowing how to recognize fraudulent and unfair business practices, and knowing which laws protect against these unscrupulous activities, can greatly enhance the power of community advocates to support overwhelmed consumers.

The Employment Insurance Act is a federal law that provides sickness, parental, maternity, regular and compassionate leave benefits to those who have adequately contributed to the program and otherwise meet the qualifications for each type of benefit. These qualification requirements can be complex and many applicants need guidance as they apply for and maintain their right to benefits. As a result, there are many opportunities for community advocates to become constructively involved in these cases.

Students in this course will learn about Ontario’s mental health laws, how to access information about those laws generally, and specific information related to substitute decision-making, assessment, treatment, and privacy protections related to persons dealing with mental wellness challenges. The course covers a variety of issues of importance to those who personally struggle with mental wellness, and to those who have friends, family members, colleagues, or clients with mental wellness challenges. The course also discusses one’s role as a friend, family member, first responder, community responder or provider, or community advocate within the system. Please Note: this course addresses these issues as they relate to adults; it does not address children’s mental health laws or procedures.