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| WEST END LEGAL SERVICES of OTTAWA |
| Serving Ottawa's west end since 1981 |
| These Web Pages provide general information only and cannot be relied upon as legal advice. Laws change over time. Applicability of the legal principles discussed may differ substantially in individual situations. You should seek legal assistance your particular situation. |
| 1301 Richmond Road Ottawa, ON K2B 7Y4 - 613.596.1641 |
| WELS is funded by Legal Aid Ontario |
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OUR OFFICE HOURS
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Historically in Ottawa, social services have been developed and concentrated in the
downtown core. However, in the early 1980s, the Pinecrest-Queensway Community
Resource Centre opened its doors. One of the main goals of the Centre’s Board of
Directors was to get as many services as possible transferred to the west end from
downtown.
The overriding concern at the time was the fact that the area had six public housing
communities, representing 30% of the rent-to-income housing. It was difficult for residents
to get to services located in the downtown. This was particularly so for a single parent
with small children who had to rely on the bus system.
In 1981, the Board of Pinecrest-Queensway became aware that monies were available
from the Ontario Legal Aid Plan for the funding of community legal clinics. (Prior to this,
Ottawa had one community legal clinic, Community Legal Services of Ottawa-Carleton,
located in downtown Ottawa.) The Board formed a committee to make an application. The
application was successful, and the committee became the first Board of Directors of
West End Legal Services.
Staff was hired and WELS began operating in the fall of 1981. In January 1982, WELS
opened to the public. In order to be seen as a legal service independent of the other
agencies housed in the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Resource Centre, it was felt
that the clinic should locate elsewhere. As a result the clinic’s first home was in a plaza on
Dumaurier Avenue next to the Foster Farm Community Centre.
Since those early days, the clinic has gained the confidence of the community, as clients
and other agencies have become aware of its purpose and the service it provides.
Today there are five legal clinics operating in Ottawa, each serving its own community.
downtown core. However, in the early 1980s, the Pinecrest-Queensway Community
Resource Centre opened its doors. One of the main goals of the Centre’s Board of
Directors was to get as many services as possible transferred to the west end from
downtown.
The overriding concern at the time was the fact that the area had six public housing
communities, representing 30% of the rent-to-income housing. It was difficult for residents
to get to services located in the downtown. This was particularly so for a single parent
with small children who had to rely on the bus system.
In 1981, the Board of Pinecrest-Queensway became aware that monies were available
from the Ontario Legal Aid Plan for the funding of community legal clinics. (Prior to this,
Ottawa had one community legal clinic, Community Legal Services of Ottawa-Carleton,
located in downtown Ottawa.) The Board formed a committee to make an application. The
application was successful, and the committee became the first Board of Directors of
West End Legal Services.
Staff was hired and WELS began operating in the fall of 1981. In January 1982, WELS
opened to the public. In order to be seen as a legal service independent of the other
agencies housed in the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Resource Centre, it was felt
that the clinic should locate elsewhere. As a result the clinic’s first home was in a plaza on
Dumaurier Avenue next to the Foster Farm Community Centre.
Since those early days, the clinic has gained the confidence of the community, as clients
and other agencies have become aware of its purpose and the service it provides.
Today there are five legal clinics operating in Ottawa, each serving its own community.
| WELS' MISSION |
| West End Legal Services is committed to promoting access to justice and empowering the low-income community by: 1. Providing high quality legal and advocacy services without fee for persons who qualify. 2. Offering public legal education, community development and law reform activities to educate the community on their rights. 3. Continuing to pursue avenues of social change to ensure access to justice for all. |