Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I apply for affordable housing?
2. How do I apply for social assistance (Ontario Works or ODSP)?
3. I have a problem with my ODSP or Ontario Works. What should I do?
4. I am a tenant or a landlord and I am having a problem. What can I do?
5. Someone I care about is celebrating an anniversary or birthday. How do I get a congratulatory scroll?
6. How do I get a birth, marriage or death certificate?
7. How do I get or replace a health card?
8. How do I get on the Voter’s List?
9. My Property Tax Assessment is too high! What do I do?

How do I apply for affordable housing?
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The subsidized housing program is operated by Housing Connections, a subsidiary of Toronto Community Housing Corporation. Housing Connections helps low- to moderate-income families, seniors and individuals obtain affordable housing on a rent-geared-to-income basis. For applications and further information, please call Housing Connections at (416) 981-6111 or visit their website.

How do I apply for social assistance (Ontario Works or ODSP)?
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You can begin the application process for Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) over the phone or in person at a local Ontario Works office. At the beginning of the application process, you will receive information about the Ontario Works program. You will also be told which information and documents may be needed to complete the application process. For example, you may need:

• Social Insurance Number
• Health Card Number
• Proof of Identity and Date of Birth
• Employment history/information
• Income and asset statements
• Shelter costs
• Status in Canada

The application process is completed in person at your local Ontario Works office.  You will be required to complete and sign all necessary forms, including the application for assistance, and a participation agreement outlining the specific employment activities that support your best route to sustainable employment.  You will also need to provide any required information and documents.

To begin the application process, please contact your local Ontario Works office at 416-397-0330 or visit:

High Park Parkdale
Social Services
1900 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M6R 3B6

I have a problem with my ODSP or Ontario Works. What should I do?
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The first thing you should do is call your OW or ODSP Case Worker. They are very familiar with your case and are your best resource when it comes to any problems you are having. If you cannot get in touch with your case worker, please leave a message and they will call you back. If you are put on hold, please wait until your call is answered.

In the event that you have already spoken with your Case Worker and your problem has not been solved, please follow any appeals process available for your case.

I am a tenant or a landlord and I am having a problem. What can I do?
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If you are a tenant or a landlord and you are facing a problem with your residence or property, be it eviction, health and safety, maintenance, or any other issues that may be covered by the Residential Tenancies Act, the Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario is available to help you. You can call the Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario at 416-645-8080.

Someone I care about is celebrating an anniversary or birthday. How do I get a congratulatory scroll?
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Representatives of the different levels and branches of government will send special congratulatory messages and/or certificates to people celebrating significant birthdays, wedding anniversaries or other events. If you or someone you know will soon be celebrating a special birthday or anniversary, or commemorating a special event, you can request special greetings from Cheri by calling our Constituency Office at (416) 763-5630 or e-mailing us.

(NOTE: the recipient or requestor must live in Parkdale-High Park.)

For other levels and branches of government:

• HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
  Since 1917 the Sovereign has sent greetings to Canadians for milestone birthdays of 100, 105 or more, and to couples celebrating 60, 65, 70, 75 or more years of marriage. Upon request, greetings are sent on behalf of The Queen from the Governor General’s office. To request a greeting from The Queen, complete the appropriate Greeting Form and send it to Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Please provide a photocopy of a birth or wedding certificate and allow 8 weeks notice.
• GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA
  The Governor General sends greetings upon request to Canadians celebrating birthdays of 90, 95, 100 and over, and to couples who have been married for 50 years or more. To request a greeting, complete the appropriate Greeting Form and send it to Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Provide a photocopy of a birth or wedding certificate and allow 8 weeks notice.
• LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF ONTARIO
  The Lieutenant Governor sends greetings upon request to Ontarians celebrating birthdays of 90 or more, and to couples celebrating wedding anniversaries of 50 years or more. To request a greeting, complete the Greeting Request Form (PDF) and send your request to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario with 6 weeks notice.
• PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA
  The Prime Minister of Canada sends greetings upon request to Canadians celebrating birthdays of 65 and over, and to couples marking wedding anniversaries of 25 years or more. To obtain a greeting from the Prime Minister, contact the office of your federal Member of Parliament. Please allow 6 weeks notice.
• PREMIER OF ONTARIO
  The Premier sends congratulatory certificates upon request to Ontarians celebrating birthdays of 80 years or more; couples marking wedding anniversaries of 40 years or more; private companies celebrating anniversaries of 50 years or more; non-profit service, social clubs or religious groups celebrating 25 years or more; and for retirements. To arrange for a certificate, visit the Premier’s website at www.premier.gov.on.ca, select your language of preference and follow the Certificates link at the bottom of the page. Or, download the certificate request form (PDF) and send your request by post or fax to: Correspondence Services Unit, Cabinet Office, 99 Wellesley Street West, Whitney Block, Room 4620, Toronto ON M7A 1A1, phone: 416-325-3777, fax: 416-325-3745. Please allow three weeks notice.

How do I get a birth, death or marriage certificate?
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Births, deaths and marriages are recorded by the province through the Office of the Registrar General. For applications and further information, visit the Ontario Ministry of Government Services website. However, if you require emergency service, contact the constituency office for help.

How do I get or replace a Health Card?
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The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provides information on how to get or replace your Health Card. When applying for a new Health Card, you must bring three (3) original documents to prove citizenship/immigration status, residency in Ontario and identity. For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s OHIP factsheet for more details on health cards and OHIP.

How do I get on the Voters’ List?
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You can vote in the provincial and federal elections and referendums if you are a Canadian citizen and will be 18 or older on polling day. Most people are registered in the National Register of Electors, which is used to produce the preliminary voters’ lists for provincial and federal elections, by-elections and referendums. If you voted in the last general election, you may be registered to vote at the address where you lived at that time. Elections Canada updates the Register from a number of sources, so if you have moved since then, your address change may also have been registered. Elections Ontario also maintains its own Permanent Register of Electors. Although information is currently shared between the two organizations, it is best to check with both groups to ensure that you are on both voting lists. If you have recently moved, turned 18, or have just become a citizen and want to ensure that your name is on the list, contact Elections Canada and/or Elections Ontario for further details.

My Property Tax Assessment is too high! What do I do?(Back to Top)

You aren’t alone. All over Ontario, home owners have been receiving inflated and unfair tax assessments. In these times of economic crisis, these assessments can cause a lot of worry and panic.

MPAC’s deadline for Requests for Reconsideration was March 31, 2009. 

Please also check our “Upcoming Events” page as we may be having meetings concerning MPAC and property taxes in the near future.