Last week, we had the privilege of attending and contributing to the PLEAC 2026 Conference in Ottawa, co-hosted by Community Legal Education Ontario and the Ontario Justice Education Network.
About PLEAC
The PLEAC Conference is the annual national gathering hosted by the Public Legal Education Association of Canada (PLEAC), a national nonprofit organization that serves as an umbrella organization for public legal education and information (PLEI) groups across Canada. The conference aims to bring together public legal educators, legal clinic and legal aid professionals, community organizations, and academics to share knowledge, reflect, and learn together.
Housing challenges in York Region
In York Region, nearly 47% of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on housing, according to the 2021 Census. In 2024, 878 people in York Region were experiencing homelessness, including unsheltered individuals, those in emergency shelters, and those in transitional housing. These figures show the urgent need for coordinated local supports to help residents access stable, affordable housing.
Workshop highlights
Our Community Lawyer, Ayesha Adamjee, and Outreach and Education Advisor, Jessie Tang, led a workshop on a holistic community approach to housing support in York Region, alongside Camilla Singh, Coordinator at Agincourt Community Services Association, and Michelle Sutherland, Director of Legal Services at the Community Legal Clinic of York Region. The session explored how coordinated local networks can strengthen public legal education and address housing instability.
Why collaboration matters
“This workshop reminded us that collaboration is key. By connecting legal and non-legal community agencies, we can strengthen supports that help more people access safe, secure, and affordable housing in York Region,” said Ayesha and Jessie.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Public Legal Education Association of Canada (PLEAC), Community Legal Education Ontario, the Ontario Justice Education Network, our workshop partners at Agincourt Community Services Association and the Community Legal Clinic of York Region, and all the participants who joined us. We are especially grateful to United Way Greater Toronto for supporting our work in York Region and enabling our team to contribute to this important conference.
