Below is a list of English and/or Bilingual legal resources, including information and references to free and low-cost legal advice and representation. This list was compiled by our partners at Éducaloi. You can also consult their Legal Information and Referrals Guide
There is also a convenient infographic about Quebec’s language laws pertaining to non-French publicity.
Before digging in, it is important to remember that some laws differ by province, including laws pertaining to:
Families and couples
Wills and estates
Consumer rights
Workplace rules
Landlord-tenant rules
Use of alcohol and cannabis
Please be mindful of this when navigating your search.
Web Sources for Reliable Legal Information
Rental Registry - My Rights Guide (with Educaloi) provides information about the legal framework of leasing an apartment.
Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL, formerly Régie du logement or, “rental board”)
CNESST (Labour and employment standards)
Office des personnes handicapées du Québec (Quebec office for persons with disabilities)
Provides people with disabilities with info and assistance to exercise their rights to social, educational and workplace integration. Website in French, but many publications available in English.Protecteur du citoyen (ombudsperson, Complaints about Quebec-government services)
Information about complaints regarding health and social services
Free and Low-Cost Legal Services
Informational and Free
Consumer Protection Office (Phone number varies by region, see link)
Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission: 1-800 361-6477
Citizen’s Protector: 1-800-463-5070
Boussole juridique: An online directory of free or low-cost legal resources across Quebec covering many areas of law
Quebec Bar Association’s Info Lines:
If you’ve been arrested: 1-866-666-0011
Immigration emergency: 1-866-954-3525
Young offender emergency: 514-954-3500
Landlord-tenant info: 1-844-227-3790
Criminal law info: 1-888-954-9447
Small claims preparation: 1-844-227-3781
Centres de justice de proximité / Community Justice Centres
Free, walk-in, no appointment, legal info clinic (does not provide representation or advice) in 10 regions of Quebec.
Operating temporarily by phone due to pandemic.University-based Legal Information Clinics
McGill: 514-398-6792
Université de Montréal 514 343-7851 (by app’t only)
UQAM: 514-987-6760
Université de Sherbrooke: 819-821-8000 # 65221
University of Ottawa: 613-562-5600
Low-Cost Legal Consultation
Quebec Bar Association ($50 to $60 depending on region) consultation with a lawyer
Representation
Quebec Legal Aid provides free (or in some cases low-cost) legal representation in all regions of Quebec. Uses a dual system: There are permanent legal aid offices around the province where full-time staff lawyers do exclusively legal aid cases. Any other lawyer in Quebec can accept to do legal aid cases on a case-by-case. They receive what is called a “legal aid mandate” for each case they accept, and they are paid according to a set tariff.
Juripop provides legal representation (and consultation) in most areas of law at $60/hour for persons who slightly exceed the financial cut-offs for the above-mentioned Quebec Legal Aid. The request must be made online with proof of income.
Justice Pro Bono offers free legal representation in some areas of law to people who do not qualify for legal aid. Areas of law include family law, services to non-profit organizations and refugee law. 514-904-1076
Elder Law Clinic provides legal accompaniment and representation in some cases. By phone or appointment. 514-934-2463
