Canadian legal information · Free to read

What happened?
Start here, and we'll point you
to the law that applies.

Type what's happening in plain English. We'll route you to the Canadian statute, the satellite site that covers it, and the plain-language guide that explains what to do next.

Common:

7 live sites across 12 rights verticalsEvery claim cites a primary statuteLast reviewed May 10, 2026100% free, no account required

Or pick the lane that matches you

Three ways in, depending on where you are. Urgent situations with a deadline, things you're planning for, or just understanding the law.

● Happening now

Something's happening this week

A notice, a deadline, an action that needs a response in days, not months.

See all urgent situations

○ Planning ahead

I'm planning something

A move, a new job, a purchase, an application. Know the rules before you sign.

See all planning guides

◌ Learning

I just want to understand my rights

Browse the full law library. Plain-language explanations, every statute cited.

Browse the law library

All 12 rights sites

7 live · 5 coming soon · one shared editorial standard

● Live

MyWorkRights

myworkrights.caCanada Labour Code, ESA

● Live

MyTenantRights

mytenantrights.caResidential Tenancies Act, 2006

● Live

MyImmigrantRights

myimmigrantrights.caIRPA, Citizenship Act

● Live

MyHousingRights

myhousingrights.caNational Housing Act, Human Rights Code

● Live

MyStudentRights

mystudentrights.caIRPA (study permits), OHRC, OSAP regs

● Live

MyConsumerRights

myconsumerrights.caConsumer Protection Act, Competition Act

○ Coming

MyInsuranceRights

myinsurancerights.caInsurance Act (ON), FSRA

● Live

MyPrivacyRights

myprivacyrights.caPIPEDA, Privacy Act, PHIPA

○ Coming

MyDisabilityRights

mydisabilityrights.caAccessible Canada Act, AODA, CHRA

○ Coming

MyPatientRights

mypatientrights.caCHA, PHIPA, Health Care Consent Act

○ Coming

MyParentRights

myparentrights.caChildren's Law Reform Act, Education Act

○ Coming

MyLandlordRights

mylandlordrights.caRTA 2006 (landlord perspective)

The format · How we explain every law

Every Canadian law, explained like this.

Four blocks, every time. The statute. A plain-English translation. A real example from a Canadian's life. And where to read more on the official government source. No jargon, no filler.

Five statute specimens rotate every few seconds. Tap a dot to jump, hover the stack to pause. Last verified May 10, 2026.

Residential Tenancies Act, 2006

Section 37 — Termination only in accordance with Act

Ontario

1What the law says

"A tenancy may be terminated only in accordance with this Act."

2What it means

Your landlord cannot evict you just because they want to. They must follow a specific legal process with official forms and LTB approval.

3Real example

Priya got a text: "You have 2 weeks to leave." That is not valid. Only an LTB-issued order can force her to move out.

4Where to read more

The LTB (tribunalsontario.ca/ltb) publishes its tenant application forms, including the T5 for bad-faith terminations, and sets out the hearing procedure. Steps to Justice maintains a directory of Ontario community legal clinics that assist tenants at no cost.

Source: ontario.ca/laws/statute/06r17Last verified: May 10, 2026

Employment Standards Act, 2000

Section 54 — Notice of termination

Ontario

1What the law says

"No employer shall terminate... an employee who has been continuously employed for three months or more unless the employer has given... written notice of termination."

2What it means

Your employer cannot fire you on the spot after 3 months of employment. They owe you written notice, or pay in lieu, based on how long you have worked there.

3Real example

Marcus worked at a retail store for 18 months. His manager said "do not come back tomorrow." Marcus is owed at least 2 weeks of notice or pay in lieu.

4Where to read more

ontario.ca/esa sets out the statutory notice schedule and termination-pay framework. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development publishes its claim intake process and the 2-year limitation window on ontario.ca. Steps to Justice covers employee rights in plain language.

Source: ontario.ca/laws/statute/00e41Last verified: May 10, 2026

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

Section 25 — Humanitarian and compassionate grounds

Federal

1What the law says

"The Minister must... examine the circumstances concerning a foreign national... and may grant... permanent resident status or exempt [them] from any applicable criteria."

2What it means

Even if you are inadmissible or overstaying your permit, you can ask IRCC to consider humanitarian reasons, family ties, establishment in Canada, or best interests of children, to grant PR.

3Real example

After a refused refugee claim, Amina has 2 children born in Canada. An H&C application is one remaining pathway to stay.

4Where to read more

canada.ca/ircc documents the H&C application process, required forms (IMM 5283), and the assessment factors: establishment in Canada, family ties, hardship, and best interests of affected children. The CICC public register at college-ic.ca lists licensed immigration representatives.

Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/i-2.5Last verified: May 10, 2026

PIPEDA

Schedule 1, Principle 3 — Consent

Federal

1What the law says

"The knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, except where inappropriate."

2What it means

Companies cannot collect your personal data in secret. They must tell you what they are collecting, why, and get meaningful consent before doing so.

3Real example

A fitness app started selling location data to third parties. Without clear notice and meaningful opt-in, the Privacy Commissioner has jurisdiction to investigate.

4Where to read more

priv.gc.ca hosts the Privacy Commissioner’s complaint intake portal and explains how investigations proceed. Published findings, recommendations, and case summaries are available on the same site.

Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/p-8.6Last verified: May 10, 2026

Consumer Protection Act, 2002

Section 43 — Cooling-off period for direct agreements

Ontario

1What the law says

"A consumer may cancel a direct agreement at any time from the date of entering into the agreement until 10 days after receiving the written copy of the agreement."

2What it means

If a door-to-door salesperson signed you up for a contract, you have 10 days to cancel, no questions asked, no fees owed.

3Real example

A water heater rental company signed Mei up at her door for a 10-year lease. She cancelled in writing 6 days later and owes nothing.

4Where to read more

ontario.ca/consumer explains the 10-day cooling-off rule for direct agreements, publishes sample cancellation notice templates, and hosts the Consumer Protection Ontario intake portal for unresolved disputes.

Source: ontario.ca/laws/statute/02c30Last verified: May 10, 2026

· hover to pause

Still not sure where to start?

Our AI reads your situation, finds the statute, and walks you through the 4-part format.

Start a free chat

Did this help you?

KnowMyRights.ca is a free resource built by one Canadian for every Canadian. Your support keeps it free, ad-free, and independent.

$2 $3 $4 $10 $25

Canadian law only⚖ Legal information, not advice🔒 Privacy protected© Copyright protectedFounded and reviewed by A M Monjur Hassan

What happened?Start here, and we'll point youto the law that applies.

Or pick the lane that matches you

Something's happening this week

I'm planning something

I just want to understand my rights

All 12 rights sites

Every Canadian law, explained like this.

Did this help you?

What happened?
Start here, and we'll point you
to the law that applies.