TO: News Release
Tribunals Ontario Using Zoom to Conduct Video Proceedings

Tribunals Ontario is implementing the Zoom videoconference platform to conduct tribunal and board video proceedings.

“Over the past year, we have held video proceedings to provide access to justice while ensuring the safety of parties, staff and adjudicators. This change to Zoom is another step forward to modernize our organization,” said Sean Weir, Executive Chair at Tribunals Ontario. “The transition to Zoom will be done in a phased manner to ensure it is smooth and does not create disruption to services.”

Tribunals Ontario launched Zoom as a pilot at the Landlord and Tenant Board in March 2021 in response to feedback from parties and stakeholders for a more user-friendly platform. The tools and functionality in Zoom will create a better experience for those who access our services.

In April 2021, the Ontario Civilian Police Commission and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario used Zoom to conduct some proceedings. All Tribunals Ontario tribunals and boards will transition to Zoom by fall 2021.

Tribunals Ontario is undertaking this initiative to ensure that its virtual hearings are accessible, user friendly and leverage best-in-class technology that meets user needs and expectations.

Quick Facts

• In March 2021, the Landlord and Tenant Board demonstrated the functionalities of Zoom with Legal Aid Ontario’s tenant duty counsel program for feedback and input to ensure that tenant duty counsel could continue to provide services in the new platform.
• Tribunals Ontario has created guidelines for users on how to use Zoom during a hearing.
• Tribunals and boards will continue using Microsoft Teams along with Zoom for some of its proceedings until fall 2021.