Connecting Ottawa Resources
The following resources have been produced by Connecting Ottawa to provide frontline workers and community members with information and referral resources for common legal issues. They are organized by topic and date.
Immigration and Refugee Law
- Info Sheet: Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) (March 30, 2026)
- Intake Questions – Immigration and Refugee Law [Fillable Form] (April 2026)
- Info Sheet: Family Sponsorship: Who can sponsor, and who can be sponsored? (March 2026)
- Info Sheet: What is a “spouse”, “common-law partner” and “conjugal partner” for the purposes of Sponsorship? (March 2026)
- Info Sheet: Visitor Visas, Visitor Records, and Electronic Travel Authorizations (December 2025) (Also available in Arabic)
- Info Sheet: Temporary resident visas for certain family members of Canadian citizens and PR living in Gaza (January 16, 2024)
- Tips for preparing spousal sponsorships on the IRCC online permanent residence portal (October 24, 2023)
- Tips for a Sponsored Spouse/Common Law Partner completing Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM0008) on the Online Permanent Residence Portal (October 24, 2023)
- Tips for Completing Additional Family Information (IMM5406) as a sponsored spouse/partner on the online permanent residence portal (October 24, 2023)
- Tips for completing relationship information and sponsorship evaluation form (IMM 5532) by sponsor and sponsored spouse together (October 24, 2023)
- Tips for completing Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM5669) as a sponsored spouse/partner on the online permanent residence portal (October 24, 2023)
- Tips for completing the application to sponsor, sponsorship agreement and undertaking (IMM 1344) as a sponsor(October 24, 2023)
- May 26, 2023 Family Class Immigration Announcement Update (June 7, 2023)
- Expansion of Safe Third Country Agreement – Q & A (April 25, 2023)
- Rights and Responsibilities of Refugees in Canada (July 22, 2022) (Also available in French, Arabic, Turkish and Spanish)
- Overview Canadian Refugee Law (January 31, 2023)
- One Year Window Training Manual (July 18, 2022)
- COVID-19 Permanent Resident Status with Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations (August 28, 2020)
Provincial and Federal Benefits and Credits
- NEW: Info Sheet: The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (May 2026)
- Info Sheet: Disability Tax Credit (Updated: December 2025) (Also available in French and Arabic)
- Info Sheet: Canadian Dental Care Plan (Updated: May 9, 2024)
- Transition Child Benefit (May 31, 2022)
- Canada Child Benefit (May 17, 2022)
Housing
- Info Sheet: Intake Questions – Housing Law [Fillable Form] (March 2026)
- Resource Sheet: Housing and COVID-19 (February 11, 2021)
Employment
Wills and Powers of Attorney
Notarizing and Commissioning Documents
Intake Questions
These resources are designed to help frontline workers identify legal problems during conversations with clients. Each sheet covers a specific legal topic and provides key questions to help you assess the situation, determine urgency, and guide next steps. We are continuing to add topics to this list.
- Intake Questions – Immigration and Refugee Law [Fillable Form] (April 2026)
- Intake Questions – Housing Law [Fillable Form] (March 2026)
Legal Aid Ontario and Community Legal Clinics
- Info Sheet: Legal Aid Ontario and Community Legal Clinics (Updated: November 2025) (Also available in French)
- Info Sheet: Legal Fees – How Does LAO Charge Clients? (June 5, 2025) (Also available in French and Arabic)
Legal Information versus Legal Advice
- Info Sheet: Legal Information versus Legal Advice (Updated June 5, 2025) (Also available in French)
Finding and Working with Legal Representatives (Lawyers and Paralegals)
- Info Sheet: How to Find a Legal Representative (June 5, 2025) (Also available in French and Arabic)
- Info Sheet: Communicating with Legal Representatives (June 5, 2025) (Also available in French and Arabic)
- Info Sheet: Legal Fees – How Do Lawyers and Paralegals Charge Clients? (June 5, 2025) (Also available in French and Arabic)
- Info Sheet: Hiring a Legal Representative (June 5, 2025) (Also available in French and Arabic)
- Info Sheet: Firing a Legal Representative (June 5, 2025) (Also available in French and Arabic)
Connecting Ottawa Infographics
- Connecting Ottawa – Who We Are (Also available in French)
- When Should I Contact Connecting Ottawa? (Also available in French)