Volunteer Legal Support Program

The Legal Support Program involves Canadian and foreign-trained immigration law professionals in providing free legal assistance for refugee claimants. Refugee claimants receive direct, one-on-one support when filling out all refugee related applications (for example, Claim for Refugee Protection, Personal Information Form, Work Permit, Interim Federal Health, Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds application, Pre-Removal Risk Assessment and Legal Aid applications), as well as settlement applications such as Ontario Works and Social Benefits Tribunals as needed.

MCRS is looking for volunteers to be involved in the Volunteer Legal Support Program. Anyone interested in learning and working with the Legal areas of the refugee claim process is encouraged to contact the Volunteer Coordinator by email or by phone at (519) 571-1912 for more information. For more information on the skills, requirements, and opportunities provided by the Volunteer Legal Support Program see below.

Requirements and Skills:

• A commitment to respect all refugee claimants
• Ability to ask questions and work in a team with staff and volunteers
• A comfort with reading and understanding Canadian laws
• Flexibility to adapt to unexpected situations
• A second, third, or fourth language is an asset!

Opportunities for Legal Support Program Volunteers:

• Attending trainings hosted by MCRS and by other organizations.
• Attending conferences and consultations (such as the Canadian Council for Refugees).
• Supporting refugee claimants in completing their various applications.
• Learning from MCRS staff, volunteers, local lawyers, and others.

For more information or to set up a volunteer intake meeting contact the Volunteer Coordinator Steven Reesor Rempel by email or by phone at (519) 571-1912.

Program generously funded by the Law Foundation of Ontario.