Justice, Legal and Police Services
People from many different cultures, traditions, and backgrounds live in Waterloo Region. Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and the Ontario Human Rights Code give every Canadian basic rights and freedoms, and responsibilities. Our legal systems and police services protect those rights and freedoms.
Legal Services
Laws in Ontario cover many different areas including:
- Family
- Work and employment
- The market place
- Education
- Housing
- Health
- Immigration
Visit Settlement.Org to learn more about the courts in Ontario and Canada, and also about the role of lawyers and judges.
To learn more about settling issues out of court, visit Legal System – Mediation and alternative dispute resolution on the Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) information and networking website.
It is important to know the laws and your rights and responsibilities. Being unaware of the laws will not protect you from the consequences of breaking them.
Contact an agency from the following list if you need legal assistance.
You may also be interested in more information about Your Rights and Responsibilities.
Police Services
The police enforce the law, prevent crime, and protect people and the community. The police are not part of the government or military. As a resident of Ontario, you have legal rights and responsibilities when dealing with the police.
Visit Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) and visit Criminal Law - Rights when dealing with police to find out more.
Police services in Waterloo Region and Ontario include:
Colleges and universities often have their own security or campus police.
If you think you have been poorly treated by the police contact:
For more information…
For more information on our legal system. your rights and responsibilities, police services, and community safety visit: