Have you been greeted at your door by a sales agent and a promise: energy savings in exchange for your signature? These individuals represent “energy re-billers”—companies that sell you energy, often using deceptive high-pressure tactics and almost always locking you into a contract for energy at a higher price. Be… READ MORE

If you are working in Ontario and your employer owes you money, such as overtime pay, vacation pay, or termination pay, you can file a claim with the Ontario Ministry of Labour (Ministry) under the Employment Standards Act. The deadline to make a claim for unpaid wages is 6 months… READ MORE

[For more than 2 decades Rural Legal Services (RLS) has written Legalese, a legal information column kindly published by the Frontenac News. Following the recognition of our columns by the Law Foundation of Ontario as an effective means of delivering legal information, others interested in public legal education, including the… READ MORE

The era of buyer beware has largely passed when purchasing goods or services from a seller. While a healthy scepticism is always good for your own protection, strong legislation has been passed over the last few decades to regulate certain industries, and to protect the buyers of goods and services… READ MORE

by Susan Irwin, Lawyer/Executive Director The best reason for making a Will is to avoid what happens if you die without one, or "intestate". By not having a Will you give up the right to choose your beneficiaries (i.e. who will inherit your property), the amount of each beneficiary’s share,… READ MORE

[For more than 2 decades Rural Legal Services (RLS) has written Legalese, a legal information column kindly published by the Frontenac News. It has recently been recognized by our colleagues in the Legal Advocacy Regional Network (LEARN) of which our clinic is a member, as a means to achieve its… READ MORE

by Susan Irwin, Lawyer/Executive Director When filing your income tax return for 2011 you may have an unpleasant surprise if you are a low income person expecting a lump sum tax refund. In previous years, eligible taxpayers could count on a lump-sum refund from three provincial tax credits: the Ontario… READ MORE

[For more than 2 decades Rural Legal Services (RLS) has written Legalese, a legal information column kindly published by the Frontenac News. It has recently been recognized by our colleagues in the Legal Advocacy Regional Network (LEARN) of which our clinic is a member, as a means to achieve its… READ MORE

Written by Jeff Green

By Susan Irwin, Executive Director / Lawyer, Rural Legal Services The breadth of information available at our fingertips is truly amazing and exciting. It can also be our biggest challenge! With so much information just a click away on the internet how can you be sure that it’s accurate and reliable? This… READ MORE

By Susan Irwin, Executive Director / Lawyer, Rural Legal Services 2011 was not a prolific year for our Legalese Column. Some of you may have noticed its absence and may even have wondered if we were still in business. I can assure you that we are and that we will strive to… READ MORE

Written by Susan Irwin

By Susan Irwin, Executive Director / Lawyer, Rural Legal Services There’s nothing like a long winter followed by a long, wet, spring, to remind homeowners about those repairs some realtors have been known to describe as “deferred maintenance” items. Aging houses sooner or later need new steps, or a window or two,… READ MORE

By Susan Irwin, Executive Director / Lawyer, Rural Legal Services If the Ontario government has its way, the purchase of cigarettes from a road-side “smoke shack” could get a lot more expensive thanks to the recently introduced Supporting Smoke-Free Ontario by Reducing Contraband Tobacco Act, 2011. The introduction of the act didn’t… READ MORE

By Susan Irwin, Executive Director / Lawyer, Rural Legal Services Teens and alcohol are a cocktail that can lead to more than just the morning after headache and parental indignation. It can lead to legal problems that will persist long after the hangover is gone. Some of the problems that could arise… READ MORE

By Susan Irwin, Executive Director / Lawyer, Rural Legal Services Some of us may suffer from retirement envy with no freedom 55 in sight. Others may thrive in the workforce and want to keep working, while others may have no option but to keep working long after age 65 in order to… READ MORE

By Susan Irwin, Executive Director / Lawyer, Rural Legal Services When a landlord rents a house or an apartment, he/she gives up certain rights normally associated with ownership.  Property owners generally assume that they have the right to enter on to their own land as they see fit. They may also think… READ MORE

By Susan Irwin, Executive Director / Lawyer, Rural Legal Services There are many reasons why people fall behind in their payments, especially in recessionary times, but the debts remain outstanding however good the reason for non-payment. Collection agencies work on a very simple principle; for them to make money, they must collect… READ MORE