(last updated June 19 2020)
Our usual disclaimer: these services are changing and developing all the time and we will endeavor to keep this page as up-to-date as possible during the pandemic.
Some national resources and information sources can be found at the bottom of the page.
Please stay well everyone.
Julie & the NSRLP team
ALBERTA
The Centre for Public Legal Information has a page of FAQs about the impact of COVID-19 and links to other resources:
https://www.law-faqs.org/covid-19/
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Amicus Curiae
Amicus Curiae is offering a Virtual AC service to assist SRLs with completing legal forms. More information can be found here: https://www.legalformsbc.ca/virtual-ac.html
BC Legal Services Society
Resources and information on COVID-19, and a good list of other online help resources:
Clicklaw
Clicklaw has a new Wiki page with their COVID-19 information resources:
https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php?title=Family_Law_(Covid-19)
The Peoples Law School
For family law, employment law, housing and other legal questions:
Justice Education Society
Providing free answers to legal questions related to COVID-19 for British Columbia. A call/text free service is also available at: 1-855-875-8867.
MANITOBA
Legal Help Centre of Winnipeg
Currently offering an alternative to in-person service. In response to emails and voicemail messages they are scheduling telephone appointments on Wednesday afternoons to offer legal information, support and referrals. Call 204.258.3096 and visit their website:
NEW BRUNSWICK
Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick
Although the general information line will not be monitored for the time being, there is a functioning Family Law Information line at 1-888-236-2444, or email the Legal Officer at pleisnb@web.ca for any family law related questions.
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
Public Legal Information Newfoundlandhas a useful information page with links to legal services and information during the pandemic and numbers to call:
https://publiclegalinfo.com/covid-19-legal-information/
NOVA SCOTIA
Nova Scotia Legal Aid has expanded its free online chat consultation service for Nova Scotians with family law issues. More information is available at https://www.nslegalaid.ca/expansion-of-family-law-summary-advice-and-online-chats/. In an effort to reduce the need for court appearances during the pandemic, NSLA is also assisting SRLs who need urgent changes to their Undertaking or Recognizance.
The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia has expanded its times for online chats with lawyers to answer legal questions: now available weekdays from 9am to noon:
ONTARIO
Community Legal Education Ontariohas prepared a helpful page on its Steps to Justice website, “COVID-19: Updates on the law and legal services“.
The Law Society of Ontariohas an emergency family law referral telephone line to, “provide assistance to people who are self-represented (SRLs) and who are trying to determine whether or not their family court matter meets the criteria to be heard by the court on an ‘urgent’ basis and, if so, how to proceed in making their request.” SRLs may contact the law society at the following numbers to access the service:
Toll-free: 1-800-268-7568
General: 416-947-3310.
Legal Aid Ontario
The toll-free number is still being staffed at LAO:
1‑800‑668‑8258
QUEBEC
COVID-19 Legal Aid Clinic
A telephone hotline offering free legal assistance is in operation answering questions about your rights and obligations during the current pandemic.
The hotline is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, and is staffed by legal experts throughout Québec who can quickly respond to your legal concerns.
To reach the COVID-19 legal aid clinic:
- 1 866 699-9729 (toll free)
- 418 838-6415 (Capitale-Nationale region)
- 514 789-2755 (Montréal)
- 819 303-4080 (Gatineau)
YUKON
Yukon Public Legal Education Associationruns the Yukon Law Line which is still operating during the pandemic. To book an appointment online go to yplea.setmore.comor contact by telephone at 668-5297 or 1-866 667 4305.
For family Law questions, call the Family Law Information Centre at 456-6721.
NATIONAL RESOURCES
The Lawyer’s Daily is maintaining a page on COVID-19 including news, analysis, and opinion:
https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/18189/covid-19-updates?category=insider
Canadian Lawyer is likewise releasing an update on COVID-19 and the courts each week day, accessible from their homepage: