Welcome to JFCY’s Legal Wiki which provides information about the legal rights of children and youth in Ontario. Click here to download this information from our Publications page. Please contact us if you have any questions or trouble finding the information that you seek. You should speak to a lawyer for legal advice since laws often change.
The Ontario government has waived the 3-month wait period for COVID-19 testing and treatment; and ensures that those without insurance can be tested and treated at a hospital without charge. More details.
You are asked to contact your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 if you have symptoms; and to not visit an assessment centre unless you have been referred by a health care professional.
OHIP is the Ontario Health Insurance Plan. It pays for a wide range of healthcare costs for people who live in Ontario. To qualify, you must be a citizen, landed immigrant, refugee, or have status under Canada’s Indian Act.
For newcomers to Ontario, there is normally a 3-month waiting period from the time of arrival. There are exceptions, for example: children under the age of 16 who are adopted by someone who already qualifies for OHIP; and a baby who is born in Ontario to someone who already qualifies for OHIP.
For more information,
OHIP+ pays for a wide range of drugs for children and youth aged 24 and under who have OHIP coverage and do not have a private plan. You do not need to enroll or register.
OHIP+ will stop on your 25th birthday or if you become covered by a private plan.
For more information, visit the OHIP+ Child and Youth Pharmacare website
IFHP is the Interim Federal Health program provides essential health care services for refugee claimants, and Convention refugees.
For more information,
You will have to pay for services by yourself or get private insurance. If you cannot afford these options, you should call or visit a local Community Health Centre to find out if there are free services in your community. In Scarborough, there is a medical clinic for the uninsured; call 416-754-8116 for an appointment.
You can receive free and confidential health information and advice from a nurse through Telehealth Ontario – 1-866-797-0000 (24 hours)
In an emergency, go to a hospital immediately. You will not be turned away if you do not have OHIP.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) provides unique rights and procedures for young people between the ages of 12 - 17 who are charged with a criminal offence in Canada.
Going to school is a legal requirement for young people between the ages of 6 and 17. The Education Act gives parents and children specific rights in the publicly funded school system.
In Ontario, you can choose where you live when you are 16 years old. The decision to leave is often not easy and can lead to difficulties in getting all your belongings, having enough money to support yourself and attending school.
Become informed about your legal rights when it comes to decisions about your healthcare and mental healthcare treatment. This includes any procedure carried out or prescribed by a health practitioner to diagnose or treat a physical or mental health condition.
The Ontario government has waived the 3-month wait period for COVID-19 testing and treatment; and ensures that those without insurance can be tested and treated at a hospital without charge. More details.
You are asked to contact your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 if you have symptoms; and to not visit an assessment centre unless you have been referred by a health care professional.
OHIP is the Ontario Health Insurance Plan. It pays for a wide range of healthcare costs for people who live in Ontario. To qualify, you must be a citizen, landed immigrant, refugee, or have status under Canada’s Indian Act.
For newcomers to Ontario, there is normally a 3-month waiting period from the time of arrival. There are exceptions, for example: children under the age of 16 who are adopted by someone who already qualifies for OHIP; and a baby who is born in Ontario to someone who already qualifies for OHIP.
For more information,
OHIP+ pays for a wide range of drugs for children and youth aged 24 and under who have OHIP coverage and do not have a private plan. You do not need to enroll or register.
OHIP+ will stop on your 25th birthday or if you become covered by a private plan.
For more information, visit the OHIP+ Child and Youth Pharmacare website
IFHP is the Interim Federal Health program provides essential health care services for refugee claimants, and Convention refugees.
For more information,
You will have to pay for services by yourself or get private insurance. If you cannot afford these options, you should call or visit a local Community Health Centre to find out if there are free services in your community. In Scarborough, there is a medical clinic for the uninsured; call 416-754-8116 for an appointment.
You can receive free and confidential health information and advice from a nurse through Telehealth Ontario – 1-866-797-0000 (24 hours)
In an emergency, go to a hospital immediately. You will not be turned away if you do not have OHIP.
The Ontario Human Rights Code protects you from discrimination on many grounds and in many social areas. Specific legal concerns raised by youth identifying in LGBTQI2S communities are about GSAs, Trans and Gender Inclusive Spaces and changing their ID.
You can be given a ticket for breaking a provincial law if you are over the age of 16. Some of the common laws that young people are given tickets for is covered in this section.
Emergency help, criminal court, civil remedy and other supports
In family law, the rights of children are unique. Become informed about going into and being in the care of a Children's Aid Society, when parents can assault you (corporal punishment / spanking exemption to assault), and your right to be heard when your parents are splitting up.
JFCY's Childhood Arrivals and Support & Advocacy Program (CASA) provides services to young people who arrived in Canada as children and are living in Ontario without immigration status.
Street Youth Legal Services (SYLS) is a program that provides information and services for homeless youth between the ages of 16 - 25. These are some of the common issues that the SYLS lawyer is asked about.
