Haldimand-Norfolk legal clinic hosting online sessions for front-line workers

Every day, social service agencies in Haldimand-Norfolk field panicked calls from residents whose lives have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.

They want to know whether they have to pay rent if they’ve lost their job, how to navigate the new emergency benefits program, and what their rights are if asked to do unsafe work, among other pressing questions.

In response to confusion over everchanging government policies, the Community Legal Clinic Brant Haldimand Norfolk is hosting free online sessions designed to give front-line healthcare and social service workers legal advice they can pass on to their clients.

“Our huge emphasis is that people have information to make informed decisions and they’re not interpreting policy on their own,” said Carrie Sinkowski, a community developer with the legal clinic.

The sessions, hosted on Zoom, will see lawyers give advice and answer questions posed by front-line workers in Norfolk, Haldimand, Brant, Six Nations, and Mississaugas of the Credit.

The first session on May 7 covers how COVID-19 has affected employment law, followed by “CERB 101” on May 12 and a May 15 webinar on housing law and powers of attorney.

Each session is free and starts at 10 a.m. Interested front-line workers can email Sinkowski at sinkowc@lao.on.ca to register and receive a link to the password-protected Zoom meeting.

Sinkowski emailed a flyer to her social service contacts on Wednesday and has already signed up more than a dozen people.

“It’s definitely speaking to a need, especially with laws changing so quickly right now due to COVID,” she said.

The sessions are catered to front-line workers because they can pass on the

“It’s definitely speaking to a need, especially with laws changing so quickly right now due to COVID.” CARRIE SINKOWSKI

COMMUNITY LEGAL CLINIC BRANT HALDIMAND NORFOLK

advice to their clients at health centres, employment agencies, women’s shelters, counselling agencies and the mental health association.

“Their influence on the community is large,” Sinkowski said.

She added that workers in these sectors are looking for answers to give to clients who are in crisis thanks to the pandemic and faced with potentially life-changing decisions.

“It’s ultimately their choice, but it’s best to have as much information as possible,” she said.