Disclaimer: the resources provided are for informational purposes. We do not endorse, guarantee, or assume responsibility for the content, accuracy, or services provided by third-party websites, agencies or organizations. Please use your own judgment and seek professional advice where appropriate.
Caring Dads is a psycho-educational program offered in a group setting aimed to support fathers seeking to develop more effective parenting skills. This program is offered on a sliding scale fee for service throughout Ontario. Some of the aims of the program include:
• problem solving in difficult situations and managing frustration
• working together with children’s mothers
• understand how different fathering strategies and choices effect children
• building relationships with your children and child-centered fathering
• stages of child development — what to expect
• rebuilding trust and healing within the family
Mothers In Mind is a psycho-educational program offered in a group setting aimed to support mothers for children under the age of 4 who have experienced familial trauma and/or violence. There is no cost for services. Mothers in Mind covers a range of topics including:
• how to manage stress and increase self-esteem
• responding to children in a sensitive, caring manner
• taking care of yourself
• supporting your child
Government of Canada – Family Law Information Publications
Information is available in Arabic, Chinese, Inuktitut, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil & Urdu. Resources on this site include:
• fact sheets such as “A Child’s View and Preferences, Child Support, Duties for parents and others, Family dispute resolution: resolving family law issues outside of court” and more
• public legal education and information
• family law background documents
Government of Canada – Parenting Plan Tool
The Canadian Government has created an online tool for individuals making a parenting plan. A parenting plan is a written document that outlines how parents have agreed to raise their children after separation or divorce. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to developing a parenting plan. You can agree to any type of parenting arrangement. Please note this is an extensive list, and each section may or may not apply to your family.
Family Mediation Services
A family mediator is someone who helps individuals going through a separation or divorce to resolve their disagreements. Mediation is an alternative to going to court.
Program Management Branch
Ministry of the Attorney General
720 Bay Street, 3rd Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2S9
Telephone: 437-227-5096
Fax: 416-326-3070
Legal Aid Ontario provides publicly funded access to a range of legal services for individuals who meet their eligibility criteria. “The fastest way to get help is to call us Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.” In addition, they host independently operated legal clinics at many court houses across Ontario.
Toronto: 416‑979‑1446
Toll free: 1-800-668-8258
CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario) provides “legal information [that] helps people in Ontario who face barriers to the justice system, including discrimination, income, language, and literacy.” Their resources include informative publications, guided pathways to complete legal forms, and much more.
180 Dundas St. West, Suite 506
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z8
Telephone: 416-408-4420
Email: info@cleo.on.ca
Family Law Information Centres are free services available across Ontario that provide information about separation, divorce and related family law issues; child protection; family justice services; alternative forms of dispute resolution; local community resources; and court processes.
Program Management Branch, Court Services Division
Ministry on the Attorney General
720 Bay Street, 3rd Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2S9
Telephone: 437-227-5096
Pro-Bono Ontario promotes access to justice in Ontario by creating and promoting opportunities for lawyers to provide pro-bono (free) legal services to persons of limited means. They host a variety of services with equity and accessibility at the forefront of all their work.
Family Justice Centre (hosted by Pro Bono Ontario): hosts virtual legal clinics for Ontarians dealing with family law issues who are unable to afford a lawyer, but do not meet the threshold to qualify for Legal Aid services.
Steps to Justice provides free information about legal problems in Ontario. Created by CLEO with a team of legal experts, this resource includes information. Including but not limited to:
• step-by-step information to help you work through your legal problems
• practical tools, such as checklists, fillable forms, and self-help guides
• referral information for legal and social services across Ontario
• live chat and email support if you can’t find the answers to your questions
Law Society of Ontario “regulates Ontario’s lawyers and paralegals in the public interest.” They provide a host of their own public resources. Including but not limited to:
• Law Society Referral Service
• Lawyer and Paralegal Directory
• Great Library Resources
Centre D'Infomation Jurdique de L’Ontario The Ontario Legal Information Centre offers a free 30-minute meeting with a lawyer to anyone in Ontario who is facing a legal problem or whose legal problem is within Ontario. The Centre’s services are confidential, available in person or by telephone, in both English and French. Their resources include but are not limited to:
• Info sheets about specific legal circumstances
• Templates for some legal documents
• Address book to connect with other Francophone services
Legal Aid Ontario’s frequently asked questions page provides a wealth of information about applying for legal aid, legal processes, documents, and more. Including but not limited to:
• Children’s Aid contacted me. Can I get legal aid help?
• I have a family court matter. Can I get legal aid help?
• Criminal charge process
• What is summary legal advice (SLA)?
Family Law Information Centres (FLICs)
You will find a FLIC in family courthouses in Ontario. The people in the FLIC office will help you with information about family law and resources available in the community. They will also be able to provide information and referrals about mediation. The FLIC service is free. Source
Legal Clinics
A legal clinic is a community-based organization funded by Legal Aid Ontario that provides legal services, including legal information, advice, or representation.