Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants: Immigration Law Research Project (4 positions)

Area of Law: Immigration and Refugee Law -- Housing (Landlord and tenant) Law -- Employment and Labour Law

OCASI is a registered charity and was formed in 1978 to act as a collective for immigrant serving agencies and to coordinate responses to shared needs and concerns. Its memberships are comprised of more than 220 community-based organizations in Ontario. OCASI's mission is to achieve equity, access, and full participation for immigrants and refugees in every aspect of life in Canada. As a council of autonomous community-based agencies which serve immigrant communities of Ontario, OCASI asserts the rights of all persons to participate fully and equitably in the social, cultural, political and economic life of Ontario. To learn more about OCASI, check out their website here: https://ocasi.org

Students will help answer questions from the Settlement.org discussion forum providing detailed legal information in plain language and making competent referrals to lawyers and services. Settlement.org is an online resource facilitated by OCASI that provides newcomers with an electronic community to find information, read relevant news, ask questions, share their experiences with others, and access a database of community organizations. The Settlement.org moderated discussion forum works to answer questions with well-researched legal information. Students will conduct research on various topics related to settlement, including housing (landlord and tenant rights), immigration, citizenship issues, and labour law (i.e. workers' rights). The research will be used to ensure Settlement.org is accurate and up to date, as well as to create new content. Deliverables should be in plain language and/or memo format. All content produced by participating students will be reviewed and approved by the supervising lawyer prior to public distribution. In addition to responding to the discussion forum, students will also perform article writing to fill any content gaps that exist. Examples of work that students have reviewed and/or wrote: (1) What is an invitation to apply? (2) Can I sponsor my adoptive parents? 

Time Commitment

Students are expected to volunteer 3-5 hours per week. The schedule is flexible and students will complete work remotely. 

Required Training

In addition to the PBSC Mandatory Training, training will be given as to the office and its procedures through Zoom. Training will also be given as to working with vulnerable communities and practicing within an anti-oppression framework. This will happen at the beginning of the project, in early October. Coordination of this training will pass through the Organization Supervisor, Lawyer Supervisor, and the students, to best meet everyone's schedules. Students will also have training on how responses are drafted and how to provide general information responses. 

Number of Students and Prerequisites 

  • How many students?
    • 4 students (students may be working with students from Western University)
  • Can fist year law students volunteer?
    • First year students are encouraged to apply!
  • Should you be bilingual?
    • No but French language skills are an asset
  • Any expectations for this project?
    • No but coursework in immigration law is beneficial. Understanding of submitting final research in plain language is helpful, however OCASI can assist in early weeks if necessary.