Bettina Worth, Paralegal
234 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 501 M4P 1K5 Toronto, ON, Canada

Congratulations and welcome.

I am happy to announce a recent Landlord and Tenant Board achievement. A tenant with a disability is finally receiving his accommodation that the landlord has a duty to provide as set out in the Human Rights Code. Many landlord and tenant disputes can be resolved, even during a pandemic. If you or someone you know needs legal help, contact me for a free consultation at [email protected].

Congratulations to ARCH Disability Law Centre for bringing an important case to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, which found that a visitor restriction policy discriminated against a child with disabilities. The decision in JL v Empower Simcoe, 2021 underscores the obligation of a service provider to be flexible when deciding on the safety of others to the specific need or accommodation of one of its residents, even during a pandemic.

Working from home? Your employer may be tracking you. https://www.ctv.ca//employers-are-developing-surveillance-

Wishing everyone a safe and healthy Christmas and New Year. The New Year will be exceptionally brighter now that vaccines are on the horizon. The chosen image below, from a Hallmark Card, is called Central Park Christmas created by Thomas Kinkade, known for his luminous beauty of nature. May the light keep shining on us all.

It is with great sadness that I announce the untimely death of lawyer Scott Rosen, in a hit and run outside of his Toronto office. Always kind and helpful, he offered his time and supported me in my paralegal practice and by doing so he supported the paralegal community. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

As part of the essential service community, I am here for you for all your legal questions and concerns, especially in the areas of employment and human rights. Feel free to contact me during regular business hours.

Landlords must evict in good faith or be fined. Tenants need to act quickly in exercising their rights. Seeking sound legal advice is a must for everyone.

As an advocate for human rights and a former personal marketing consultant, I am thrilled to learn of this event by Spectrum Works Autism Job Fair. We all have something to contribute to our employers and our society. Best of luck to all job seekers and continued success to Spectrum in the future.

TERMINATED EMPLOYEE WITH AN ADDICTIONS DISABILITY WAS REINSTATED. The following Case Summary and Analysis by ARCH of a recent Ontario labour arbitration decision is a good example of the connection between workplace rules and addiction disabilities and what happens when an employer fails to accommodate an employee when it knows of the disability.

BEWARE THE PITFALLS OF RENTING ON AIRBNB. Many victims have fallen prey from hosts who cancel or change contract terms at the last minute, as Marketplace has discovered. If you are a victim of this contract breach, contact me right away, by phone 647-394-1125 or by email at [email protected].

Here's inspiration to all and especially to my clients with disabilities.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Everyone!

RENEWING YOUR LEASE? Your rent will increase by 1.8% and is based on the Consumer Price Index. More information can be found on the Social Justice Tribunals Ontario website, or contact me by phone at 647-394-1125 or email me at [email protected].

Great News! The monetary jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court will increase to $35,000 on January 1, 2020.

Do you work in a bank or other federally regulated company? Changes to Canada's Labour Code is designed to make your work-life balance better in theory but may not be better in practice. Changes include your work arrangements, leaves, and vacations. If you have a question concerning your workplace, whether you are a federal or provincial employee, contact me for your free consultation.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Everyone!

Congratulations to all OPA members who participated in the Pride Parade. Great work everyone!

EMPLOYEES BEWARE! In some cases, you can be terminated for smoking medical marijuana, as was decided in one Ontario Human Rights Tribunal case. If you have an employment issue, contact me at [email protected] or call me at 647-394-1125.

On Friday, November 2, 2018, the legal community lost a very fine lawyer, John Freeman, to cancer. I have known John for almost three years as his part-time law clerk and office manager. He fought hard and with grace. I will remember him as someone who was generous with his staff and very generous and helpful to his clients. He will be missed. Rest in peace!

Congratulations to my regulator, the Law Society of Ontario for the relaunch of its website. It looks great and is easy to navigate. Check it out: https://lso.ca/

LANDLORDS BE PREPARED! Ontario's New Lease Is Now in Effect.

OUR LAW FINALLY EMBRACES NEW TECHNOLOGY WHEN IT COMES TO SPECIAL SERVICE.

OUR LAW SOCIETY CHANGES ITS NAME to the LAW SOCIETY OF ONTARIO effective January 1, 2018 (from the former name: The Law Society of Upper Canada). It was designed to be more modern and visible for the public. Eight-three percent were in favour of the name. Although some members wanted the status quo, Paul Schabas, a senior lawyer and LSO treasurer, reassured members that, Changing your name does not turn your back on your history.

Thank you to my clients and colleagues for helping me make 2017 a success. Have a Happy and Safe New Year!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

BOTHERED BY NOISY NEIGHBOURS? Find out how some tenants handled it and what your legal rights are. Go to my blog and see my article that was also published in Hi-Rise Magazine at: https://bwparalegal.wix.com/bettina-worth.

Congratulations to Rick Hansen who celebrates 30 years with his new book and bringing further awareness of barrier issues with an accessibility certification program.

EMPLOYERS HAVE A DUTY TO ACCOMMODATE EMPLOYEES IF ADDICTION IS INVOLVED, as the TTC recently found out. Help is available for workers who are dependent on various substances. Contact Bettina to discuss your employment rights, by phone at 647-340-3352 or by email at [email protected].

HAVE YOU BEEN HARASSED OR SEXUALLY VIOLATED? Telling our Stories: Immigrant Women’s Resilience offers resources and solutions to all women, who are or have been harassed, assaulted and violated, whether at work, at home, or on the streets. Although a graphic novel, the stories are real. See TVO’s, The Agenda below. Order the book at: http://www.ocasi.org/campaigns/4ImmigrantWomen. If you are concerned about your legal rights with harassment, wrongful dismissals, and human rights violations, contact Bettina by phone at 647-340-3352 or by email at [email protected].

TO ALL TENANTS: RENT IN 2018 WILL BE 1.8%.

Happy Canada Day! Logo on flag by Ariana Curvin.

TIME TO CELEBRATE! TODAY MARKS THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF LICENSED PARALEGALS IN ONTARIO

OPA raised approximately $300 and 5000 lbs. of food for various food banks in Ontario. On April 9, 2017, the Ontario Paralegal Association held its 1st annual food drive at the Shops on Yonge. There were prizes, raffles and giveaways. We also had DJ Ara and fun crafts for the kids. MPP Gila Martow for Thornhill presented our OPA Board President, Stephen Parker, with a Certificate marking OPA’s first annual food drive. From left to right: Myself (OPA member and Co-Editor of Today’s Paralegal), Sandy Azevedo (OPA Board Secretary), Laurie Marshall (OPA Member), Gila Martow (MPP for Thornhill), Stephen Parker (OPA Board President), and Frank Alfano (OPA Board Vice President).

HERE IS A GREAT ARTICLE WRITTEN BY ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES, MARSHALL YARMUS, ON FAMILY LAW. http://www.torontosun.com//let-paralegals-represent-people

Madam Justice Bonkalo's long awaited report is a step in the right direction for licensed paralegals, but it falls short on some of her recommendations by excluding some very important steps in a family law legal proceeding. Stay tuned for my full analysis of her report.

In Honour of International Women's Day, a special thank you to my Mom who taught me to be independent, which trait has helped me throughout my personal life and my professional life. Thank you Mom.

Considering a move? Check out the nightmares that Marketplace has uncovered. Before you sign anything, ensure your quotes are reasonable and accurate, including the weight of your contents. For questions on contracts or property damage contact Bettina Worth Worth, Paralegal.

ATTENTION TENANTS: WATCH OUT FOR SPYING LANDLORDS.

ARE YOU GIVING UP YOUR RIGHTS? Marketplace has unveiled some disturbing truths about downloads and offers some tips on how to protect your privacy rights.

Happy New Year. Hope everyone had a great holiday.

SPEEDING AND RECKLESS TURNSI AGREE AND STATISTICS BACK THIS UP. I no longer own a vehicle. Walking and taking the TTC are mostly my mode of transportation. Last August I had just stepped off the curb at an intersection on a green light. Suddenly a white car came within inches of me and made a right-hand turn. The driver of that car never slowed down to stop on his red light. Where are the police when you need them? Luckily for me I was walking slower than usual because of a ...knee injury I had a year before. If I didn’t have an injured knee and walked my usual fast pace, I believe that I would have been hit and seriously injured or worse that sunny summer afternoon. That was not the first time that I was almost hit by car as a pedestrian on our city streets. TO ALL DRIVERS OUT THERE, PLEASE REMEMBER THE RULES OF THE ROAD. And please be more patient. Life is simply too short. See more

DOES YOUR AUTO INSURANCE REALLY PROTECT YOU? Read on.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Great news for tenants in abusive relationships. Notice to a landlord can now be made earlier.

Bettina Worth, Paralegal has more than 25 years of litigation experience to help you. She provides mediation and legal services at affordable rates. Whatever your legal issue, get sound legal advice. For your free consultation, contact Bettina Worth, Paralegal by phone: 647-394-1125 or by email: [email protected].

HERE IS A SPECIAL REMINDER: NOT ALL DISABILITIES ARE VISIBLE. You don’t know what injury or illness a person is dealing with when he or she is using an accessible parking permit or that person who is using the elevator or standing on the escalator rather than using the stairs. Mobility issues are not just for the elderly. Please be considerate of others.

Here is good news for renters!

IN MEMORIAM For those fans who aren’t aware, my Dad passed away recently and I want to honour him here on my business page as he was a big influence in my life and career. I come from a modest family and my Dad was retired when I took the majority of my law clerk and paralegal courses. There were a few times when I needed financial assistance to take a course before I could go to the next one. Anyone who has taken several courses at once knows how difficult it is to schedule ...them in the hopes that they will be available or risk having to wait another semester or even a year. My Dad knew this and didn’t hesitate to loan me the tuition fee when I needed it most as he knew I would always pay it back, which I did. My Dad was a friendly, funny and generous person who would do anything for his daughters. I also have a sister and a half-sister and he loved us very much. For someone who was so active, loved gardening and doing odd jobs around his cottage only a year ago and reached his 80th year last August, we thought he would be around for many more years to come. This was not to be. My Dad died peacefully in his sleep on April 17, 2016 from Lymphoma after having survived two prostate cancers many years earlier. I love my Dad and miss him very much. Rest in peace Dad. See more

Precedent has been set for women who have been discriminated against by their employer for taking time off while going through a loss due to a miscarriage. If this has happened to you, speak to a legal professional about your employment and human rights issues. You may be entitled to compensation. Contact Bettina Worth, Paralegal.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

ARE YOU BEING GOUGED BY YOUR CELLPHONE PROVIDER? WERE YOU PROPERLY NOTIFIED OF EXTRA CHARGES? DID YOUR CELLPHONE PROVIDER ACCEPT SERVICE FROM MINORS? You may have legal recourse. Speak to a legal professional about your consumer rights. Contact Bettina Worth, Paralegal.

CELEBRATING ONE YEAR IN BUSINESS WITH A SPECIAL OFFER FOR HER VISITORS! In celebration of this milestone and for a limited time, Bettina Worth, Paralegal is offering $25 off her mediation or legal services. Simply Like her page and email her at [email protected] to receive your gift.

Have you ever been followed while shopping? Been accused of shoplifting and detained with no reason? Mary was and took her complaint to a human rights tribunal and was awarded $8000. See this and other stories on consumer discrimination in another great feature from Marketplace. If you have been discriminated against recently, speak to a legal professional. Bettina Worth, Paralegal, offers advice and representation in human rights matters.

Are you feeling pressured to wear a demeaning uniform? Are your hours being cut? Are you feeling forced out of your job? Marketplace uncovered some businesses that may be in violation of the Human Rights Code. If this is happening to you, speak to a legal professional. Bettina Worth, Paralegal, offers advice and representation in the area of employment law and human rights violations.

YOU NOW HAVE A CHANCE TO TELL THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE LAW SOCIETY THAT LICENSED PARALEGALS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO REPRESENT CLIENTS IN FAMILY LAW. THE DEADLINE FOR FEEDBACK IS APRIL 30, 2016.

Here are some kind words from a client in a landlord and tenant matter that I am happy to share with you. Thank you again Fariba!

If you are experiencing a separation or divorce, consider a fast and low cost alternative to expensive family law court. Bettina Worth, Paralegal and Mediator, can help you.

TO ALL THE FANS OF BETTINA WORTH, PARALEGAL YOUR GIFT IS IN YOUR EMAIL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here are more photos of my trip to the Magna Carta Exhibit, celebrating 800 years of the Magna Carta, the document from which our laws and liberties are based on. Most of these photos were taken from the book I purchased called Magna Carta and Its Gifts to Canada Democracy, Law and Human Rights by Carolyn Harris.

THE MAGNA CARTA EXHIBIT This year marks the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, the document from which our laws and liberties are based on. I had the opportunity to see the Magna Carta Exhibit on October 31st and was able to take some photos to share with you.

IT PAYS TO RETAIN A PROFESSIONAL A recent study found that most cases with legal representation are more successful than those without. If you like success, click Like and Share.

BETTINA’S LEGAL BITS Being represented increases your chances. If you like success click Like and Share.

Student for life. There is always something new...

Pause to remember...

Mediation and conflict resolution work...