Dear Community,
In times of uncertainty, it is more important now than ever before, that kindness and generosity are values that we focus on. It is of the utmost importance that we act not in our own self-interest, but that we stick together to do what’s best for each other and the community.
The Premier of Ontario recently declared a state of emergency amid the coronavirus pandemic. While this is not a complete provincial shutdown, all bars, restaurants, theatres, public libraries and recreational facilities, amongst others, have been required to close immediately.
The Prime Minister also made an announcement declaring that Canada will be shutting its border to travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or Americans. There will be exceptions in place for U.S. citizens, diplomats, crew and immediate family members of citizens.
While precautions have been taken to ‘flatten the curve’ and stop the spread of the coronavirus, these measures will heavily impact those who are the most vulnerable in our justice system. Among the already mentioned closures; numerous Courts and Immigration Departments, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, Tribunals, the Federal Court, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada have all cancelled in-person appointments, hearings and court dates until further notice.
At Brace Law, we understand that our community at large will be heavily impacted by these measures and to help you with these challenges and anxieties, we have decided not to completely shut down operations. Our office hours remain the same however we have been taking precautions to ensure the safety and health of employees, clients, potential clients, and community members. We are available through text, phone and email.
We will continue to monitor guidance from local, national and global health organizations to ensure we are taking the proper measures to minimize risks.We will also continue to monitor Court and Immigration updates to ensure that your worries and anxieties are mitigated during this challenging time .
Keep well and stay safe, Brace Law Team
