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Operational Updates
Last Updated: May 1, 2024
On this page you will find operational updates or process changes for the Assessment Review Board (ARB). For a PDF copy of any of the memos posted here, please email the ARB registrar.
On This Page
- April 2024 - June 2024
- October 2022 – December 2022
- January 2022 – March 2022
- October 2021 – December 2021
- July 2021 - September 2021
- April 2021 - June 2021
- January 2021 - March 2021
April 2024 – June 2024
May 1, 2024 - Enhanced Access Initiative
The Assessment Review Board (ARB) is pleased to provide an update on a new initiative that will provide further public access to observe ARB videoconference hearings.
Currently, all ARB hearings are open to the public, unless directed to be closed due to matters involving public security or confidential financial information, or where personal matters may be disclosed.
New Process - Enhanced Access Initiative
Effective June 1, 2024, the ARB will make available on our website all Zoom links for all videoconference hearings.
This means that to observe a hearing, you will no longer have to email the ARB to request the link be sent to you.
Providing the Zoom links on our website will allow us to streamline the process and provide quicker access, while ensuring transparency to the public.
We are pleased to be the first board within Tribunals Ontario to support and launch this new Enhanced Access Initiative. Over the past several months, the ARB has been working on developing processes to operationalize this initiative. Please visit the ARB’s new webpage Observing a hearing for more information.
Telephone Conference Hearings
Please note that this change does not affect our telephone conference hearings. Our telephone conference hearings continue to remain open to the public, and you can continue to retrieve the telephone conference call in details from the ARB’s e-calendar.
October 2022 – December 2022
December 1, 2022 – Assessment Review Board’s (ARB) Digital-First Approach - Update
The ARB is committed to supporting Tribunals Ontario’s digital-first approach through the continued enhancement and development of key initiatives that leverage modern tools and technology.
As part of that commitment, the ARB has completed upgrades to its e-filing system that were identified in ARB memos dated January 29, 2021, and June 18, 2021. See links below:
- January 29, 2021 - ARB Digital-First Approach – Looking Ahead
- June 18, 2021 – ARB’s Digital-First Approach – Update
Effective December 1, 2022, some tax appeals related to the City of Toronto Act (COTA) and the Municipal Act can be e-filed.
The ARB identified the top six most submitted tax appeals and based on our findings the following sections were added to our e-filing system:
- Municipal Act: 357 (7), 357 (8), 357 (1)(d1)
- City of Toronto Act: 323 (7), 323 (8), 323 (1)(e)
All assessment appeals must continue to be filed through the e-filing system only.
With this improvement to the e-filing system the “excel batch filing” process will be eliminated.
e-File is a fast, secure, reliable, and “real-time” filing system to file and pay for your appeal. You will receive immediate confirmation of receipt of your appeal upon completion of e-filing. E-filing eliminates the delays from mailing your appeal to the ARB and having it processed manually.
Some of the digital services we would like to remind you of include:
ARB Website:
Our website is the main portal to access information about the Board. By visiting our website, you can:
- find information about managing the appeal process and news updates
- access our e-Services and other important resources
- view appeals and appeal commencement dates, which are updated monthly
- review the ARB Rules of Practice and Procedure
- download forms
- stay informed about operational updates
Tax Calculator:
This is an interactive online tool that helps potential appellants calculate estimated savings from a possible change in assessment value. Potential appellants can determine if any possible savings offset the costs related to filing an appeal.
Thank you for your continued support.
November 2, 2022 – New Tribunals Ontario and Assessment Review Board Key Performance Indicators
Tribunals Ontario has implemented new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across all 13 of our tribunals as part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring that the services we provide meet the needs of our users.
The KPIs are designed to assess the organization’s effectiveness in delivering our core business of resolving disputes in an accessible, fair, efficient, and timely manner. They are also important for public accountability and serve as a vital operational tool for strategic decision-making and driving process improvements.
We expect that over time a single set of measures will help us track and monitor performance in a consistent way and better understand how we are doing across all tribunals.
Effective April 1, 2022, the Assessment Review Board (ARB) began tracking performance against these new organizational KPIs. As a result, we have reassessed and adapted some of our pre-existing ARB KPIs, as well as added a few new ones. Our new KPIs and targets for the ARB are as follows:
- Volume of in-person, electronic and written hearing events held at the ARB
- Number of eligible accommodation requests granted (in whole or in-part) by the ARB
- Percentage that the hearing event month is assigned within 90 days of a perfected appeal – target of 85 per cent
- Decisions issued within 60 calendar days from the conclusion of a hearing – target of 85 per cent
- Summary appeals resolved within 40 weeks following the commencement date – target of 85 per cent
- General appeals resolved within 135 weeks following the commencement date – target of 85 per cent
To ensure openness and transparency, these new KPIs will be reported on a quarterly basis and published through updates on our website, beginning later this fiscal year.
Over the coming months we expect to introduce other measures, such as a measure related to French language services.
However, before doing so, we would like to hear your thoughts and get your feedback on the above mentioned KPIs.
Your input will help us better align our KPIs over time as we continue to modernize and improve service delivery.
Please contact us at ARB.Registrar@ontario.ca with your feedback by November 23, 2022.
As we move forward on this initiative, we will continue to share more information.
January 2022 – March 2022
February 4 2022 - Appeals Resolution Strategy Update – (2017 Assessment Cycle – taxation years 2022, 2023)
The Assessment Review Board (ARB or Board) is committed to fulfilling its mandate of resolving property assessment disputes within the regular four-year assessment cycle. However, with the recent announcement through the Fall Economic Statement on November 4, 2021, the general reassessment has been postponed for 2023. As the general reassessment for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 taxation years has been postponed, the common understanding is that the current assessment cycle has increased to a seven year assessment cycle with the valuation date remaining January 1, 2016.
We are writing to advise you of our expectations in resolving appeals before the next assessment cycle, including newly filed appeals. We recognize that the next assessment cycle could see an increased number of appeals, resulting in more appeals being commenced every month.
Current Statistics:
As of January 1, 2022, the Board has a total of 22,340 outstanding appeals against 6,175 properties, broken down as follows:
- 7,505 original assessment appeals
- 14,835 deemed assessment appeals
- 742 tax appeals
The Board continues to evaluate its caseload and improve processes that were established at the beginning of 2017. Building on the Board’s successes to date, with a continued focus on our digital-first approach to providing services, please note the following updates:
- New Rules of Practice and Procedure came into effect on April 1, 2021. The Board provided a consultation period from October to November 2020 for stakeholders to provide feedback and/or recommendations on updates made to the Rules. This feedback resulted in reducing the schedule of events for the general proceeding stream (i.e. all appeals apart from residential, farm or managed forest property) from 66-104 weeks to 40-49 weeks.
- Commencement Dates, Schedule of Events: The Board is considering a strategy to assign a last assigned commencement date for each taxation year. This will ensure that we build in time for the resolution of appeals. The Board is also reviewing the possibility of no further changes and/or extensions to the schedule of events.
- 2022/2023 Appeals: Upon request, all newly filed appeals for 2022 and 2023 can be assigned an expedited schedule of events. This schedule would only apply where there are no current active appeals for a property.
- Hearing Plan Guideline: The Board is currently developing a Hearing Plan Guideline to establish default allotments of time for examination of a witness (examination in chief, cross-examination, and reply, as well as any challenges to qualifications of an expert witness). As part of their settlement conference briefs, parties will be required to provide the Board with a list of their witnesses. At the settlement conference, a party may request additional time for examination of a particular witness, which must be approved by the Board. This measure will ensure efficiency of the hearing process.
- Written Submissions: Effective April 1, 2022 the Board will require that closing submissions for all general proceeding hearings be made in writing for all hearings that are scheduled for more than one day. Upon completion of hearing evidence, the Presiding Member will set a schedule for serving and filing the written submissions. For hearings scheduled less than one day, and for all summary proceeding hearings (i.e. appeals classified as residential, farm or managed forest), the requirement to provide written submissions will be at the discretion of the Presiding Member.
- Legacy Appeals Initiative: The Board is currently reviewing all outstanding appeals and where there has been no indication of settlement or where timelines appear to have lapsed, the Board will schedule a full hearing to adjudicate the matter. As of January 1, 2020, there were approximately 7,600 legacy appeals (i.e. appeals filed before the 2017-2021 assessment cycle) and at the beginning of this year, only 132 legacy appeals remain.
- Tax Appeals: Where a tax appeal is currently assigned to the general proceeding stream along with Assessment Act appeals, and the Assessment Act appeals are resolved, the Board will assign an earlier due date for filing documents to be relied on at the hearing, and schedule a summary proceeding hearing.
- Deeming: Any appeal proceeding that has not been resolved by March 31, 2022, will be deemed to have a 2022 appeal. The same principle applies for the 2023 appeals. All decisions that the Board issues will be applied against all appeals including deemed appeals.
- Active Appeals: The Board will continue to review all outstanding appeals to determine whether a case conference should be scheduled or whether the Board can set tighter timelines for the appeals.
- Hearing Months Assigned: All current appeals assigned to be heard by general or summary proceeding have been assigned a hearing month. Where a hearing is necessary, the parties are expected to proceed with the hearing by the assigned hearing month. Parties may request a hearing at a later date by completing an Expedited Board Directions Form. This request must be submitted within one week of the completion of the settlement conference. Where the request is granted, the Board will schedule the hearing event.
- Hearing Timelines: All current appeal proceedings assigned to be heard by general proceeding, which are not resolved at the Mandatory Meeting stage, will be scheduled to a settlement conference within eight weeks of the Mandatory Meeting Form due date. If the appeal is not resolved at the settlement conference, the hearing will be scheduled within eight weeks. Unless the parties have complied with the Board’s Rules to elect to obtain additional expert reports, the Board requires that all parties complete all their pre-hearing work, including the exchange of disclosure, no later than the due date for filing the Mandatory Meeting Form.
- E-filing: Remember to e-file your appeals. Effective January 1, 2022, the Board only accepts e-filed assessment appeals and emailed tax appeals.
- Appeal Payment Options: Effective January 1, 2022, the ARB will no longer accept payment by way of certified cheques or money orders. The use of personal cheques was discontinued earlier this year.
- Ongoing Digital Improvements: Where it can, the Board will continue to reduce the use of paper documents, improve and update its processes and systems, work with parties to modernize the transfer of information, and explore ways to improve the use technology to provide faster and more efficient services.
- Efficiencies: The Board is currently undertaking a full review of its processes and timelines. It is also evaluating the current cycle and will establish new metrics to measure the effectiveness and timely resolution of appeals before the next cycle.
Expectations:
The Board’s goal based on the Government’s announcements through the Economic Statement March 2020, Ontario Budget 2021 and the Fall Economic Statement November 2021, is to resolve at least 90% of all appeals before the beginning of the next assessment cycle. The Board expects that all parties will continue to work collaboratively to negotiate a resolution of their appeals.
The Board requests that all representatives review their active caseloads to assess whether there is any opportunity to expedite the completion of an appeal proceeding. If so, please contact the Registrar or submit a request for an Expedited Board Direction.
The Board will, where necessary, start scheduling hearings to ensure that appeals are adjudicated, and the matter is resolved.
As the next assessment cycle approaches, the Board will issue an updated Appeals Resolution Strategy for Active Appeals. The Board looks forward to working with all stakeholders to resolve appeals in a timely manner and appreciates your commitment and dedication in achieving this goal.
October 2021 – December 2021
November 9, 2021 – Appeal Payment Options – Update
We are writing to provide an update on changes to the appeal payment process.
On January 29, 2021 and June 18, 2021, the Assessment Review Board (ARB) issued memos providing an overview of the ARB’s Digital-First Approach plan. We identified key areas to support the resolution of appeals and the filing of both tax appeals and assessment appeals, while looking ahead at some initiatives.
One of the key areas is the appeal payment options.
Effective January 1, 2022, the ARB will no longer accept payment by way of certified cheques or money orders. The use of personal cheques was discontinued earlier this year.
Going forward, all assessment appeals must be filed electronically using our secure e-filing system. This platform allows you to file one to 25 appeals at one time and allows for online payment through a secure website.
All tax appeals must be emailed to the ARB without payment information until the e-filing system is upgraded to allow the filing of municipal tax appeals. This change should take place next year.
These changes will provide efficiencies in our process, avoid payment issues, and allow appeals to be filed without delay.
If there are any questions about payment options, please contact us at ARB.Registrar@ontario.ca
October 28, 2021 – ARB Digital Delivery Initiative – Update
We are writing to provide an update further to our memo dated January 29, 2021 where we indicated that we would be continuing our focus on a “digital first” approach to the delivery of notices.
In that memo, we called on municipalities to engage with us to discuss reducing our paper footprint. Our memo said:
“As we continue to look forward, the ARB is interested in further reducing our paper footprint. The ARB is currently researching ways to eliminate the paper notice to the municipalities by creating a data file that can be sent electronically. We are still in the early stages of this research however we will soon be reaching out to the municipalities to gather more information.
If you are interested in having an “early thinking” discussion with the Registrar, please contact the Board at ARB.Registrar@ontario.ca.”
Over the last several months, the ARB has been working with the cities of Toronto and North Bay to develop a platform through which all Notices of Hearing have been sent by email. Those data files, which Toronto and North Bay have been able to download as Excel spreadsheet files, have contained the same information that was previously included in paper Notices of Hearing.
The ARB is now expanding this project. Our testing timeframe was from July to September 2021 and will continue. Our expectation is that this new process will be implemented across all 444 Ontario municipalities by January 2022.
The ARB is currently creating a secure web-platform with standard user-names and unique passwords for each municipality. This will ensure that you all have access to your specific regions’ notices in real-time.
Once created, data files will be uploaded to the secure website for all municipalities every Friday and they will include notices that were created for all the ARB’s hearings that week across the province.
We hope to provide a further update in December regarding a launch date.
We are also looking to expand this service in the future to include use by tax representatives and law firms.
July 2021 - September 2021
September 20, 2021 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation September 30, 2021
Recently the federal government passed legislation that designated September 30 as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to commemorate the history and legacy of Residential Schools in Canada.
The Ontario government will be observing September 30, 2021 as a day of commemoration to reflect on the tragic history and ongoing legacy of Residential Schools.
In order to properly honour the day at Tribunals Ontario, all tribunals, including the Assessment Review Board and Tribunals Ontario offices will be closed on September 30, 2021, providing an opportunity for staff and adjudicators to learn about and reflect on the history of Residential Schools and to honour the lives lost.
Those parties who have hearings and case conferences scheduled for September 30 will be notified and we will reschedule these matters as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
In case you have questions, please contact us at ARB.Registrar@ontario.ca
July 5, 2021 – Launch of Navigate Tribunals Ontario
We are delighted to announce that the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Justice Accelerated Strategy has enabled the launch of Navigate Tribunals Ontario at the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Navigate Tribunals Ontario empowers users by guiding them to information about their rights and responsibilities and the processes at the LTB. The online tool asks the user a series of questions and offers options tailored to their situation. In some cases, it helps the user determine which application to file.
The new tool makes it easy and convenient to access information about the Residential Tenancies Act and LTB processes, and its launch is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to speed up access to justice and move more services online.
Features include:
- A series of questions guides users along pathways tailored to their situation.
- Info-sheets and summary reports, which include next steps and links to relevant resources, can be printed, emailed or downloaded at any time.
- A unique access code gives users the option to exit the navigation and come back later to pick up where they left off.
- No requirement to log in or provide personal details.
We have some enhancements to Navigate Tribunals Ontario planned for later this summer – we’ll be launching new pathways with information about co-operative housing evictions, care home and mobile home tenancies. At the same time, we’ll be updating content in the tool to reflect September 1 amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act.
We will be expanding Navigate Tribunals Ontario to help users of our other tribunals as well and we look forward to sharing that news with you in the near future.
We hope you will take a moment to visit navigatetribunalsontario.ca
April 2021 - June 2021
June 22, 2021 - SPPA Amendments
Effective June 3, 2021, a new section 29 has been added to the Statutory Powers Procedure Act making it an offence to record or publish a tribunal hearing unless an exception applies. Exceptions include unobtrusive recordings made by a party, representative or member of the media if authorized by the tribunal. The amendment was included in the Ontario government’s Supporting Recovery and Competitiveness Act, 2021.
This provision is similar to restrictions on recording court proceedings contained in the Courts of Justice Act. This amendment will help Tribunals Ontario ensure the integrity and fairness of its proceedings.
Tribunals Ontario remains committed to delivering administrative justice in a manner that is transparent, fair, independent, and accessible in accordance with the open court principle. This amendment does not restrict or change a person’s ability to attend an open tribunal hearing or engage in public comment on tribunal proceedings. The public can contact the Assessment Review Board to inquire about access to hearings.
If you have any questions, please contact us at ARB.Registrar@ontario.ca
June 18, 2021 – ARB’s Digital-First Approach – Update
We are writing to provide you with an update to our January 29, 2021 memo about our digital-first approach to providing services. The Assessment Review Board (ARB) is continuing to implement its digital-first approach to meet the diverse needs of Ontarians and enhance the quality of its dispute resolution services.
The ARB has made several updates to the following E-Services:
E-File: Use this fast, secure, reliable and “real-time” filing system to file and pay for your appeal. You will receive immediate confirmation of receipt of your appeal upon completion of e-filing. E-filing eliminates the delays from mailing your appeal to the ARB and having it processed manually.
In preparation for the next assessment cycle, we will be improving our e-filing service to allow you to e-file some tax appeals.
All assessment appeals must be filed by the e-filing system only.
Email Communication: As part of the digital-first approach, we have implemented a new rule that establishes how we communicate with parties. The ARB introduced Rule 18 in the new Rules of Practice and Procedure, which took effect April 1, 2021, stating that:
All parties to a proceeding shall provide an email address to the Board for purpose of correspondence with the Board. The Board may direct a party to a proceeding to provide the Board with any email address in its possession for another party in the proceeding.
This means anyone who files an appeal with us must provide an email address. Updates on your appeals will only be provided by email. There are many options available to create an email address if you do not already have one. If you have not provided an email address for us, we will be reaching out to you to ask that you provide one immediately for communication purposes.
Electronic Document Format and Filing Requirements Guideline: The ARB has issued a guideline providing direction on the requirements for naming documents that will be filed with the ARB electronically.
Elimination of Paper Notices: To eliminate paper notices, the ARB has created a data file for serving the Notice of Hearing. The ARB will be piloting this initiative with two municipalities, the City of Toronto and City of North Bay in the coming months. During the pilot period, we will be evaluating the information and looking for feedback from the participating municipalities. We will be asking the municipalities to identify an email address to ensure that there is a dedicated source for data delivery.
The ARB will be issuing a practice direction to support this initiative, which will be served on all 444 municipalities and will be posted on our website.
In the future, we hope to develop a secure website as a drop box for all notices such as: notice of hearings, schedule of events, commencement dates, new appeal information and decisions. We also expect to include the tax representatives and law firms.
Some of the digital services we would like to remind you of are:
- ARB Website:
Our website is the main portal to access information about the Board. By visiting our website you can: - find information about managing the appeal process and news updates
- access our E-Services and other important resources
- view appeals and appeal commencement dates, which are updated monthly
- review the ARB Rules of Practice and Procedure
- download forms
- stay informed about operational updates
- Tax Calculator:
This is an interactive online reference tool that helps potential appellants calculate estimated savings from a possible change in assessment value. Potential appellants can then determine if any potential savings offset the costs related to filing an appeal.
Thank you all, for your continued support.
May 13, 2021 – Transitioning to Zoom Proceedings
Effective July 2021, the Assessment Review Board will be using Zoom’s videoconference platform to conduct external proceedings and engage with stakeholders.
As you know, over the last year we have moved to a digital-first approach to enhance access to justice and to modernize our services and meet the needs and expectations of our users. In response to feedback from across all our stakeholder groups for a more user-friendly platform, we have decided to transition to Zoom as our video conferencing platform. We are confident that the tools and functionality in Zoom will create a better experience for those who access our services.
To help adjust to the new platform, we have developed a Zoom how-to guide to assist parties for their proceeding.
Rest assured that the transition to Zoom will be done thoughtfully and in a phased manner to ensure it is smooth and coordinated.
This change is part of our continuing efforts to improve operations and enhance the quality of dispute resolution for the thousands of people across the province who access our services.
If you have any questions, please contact us at ARB.Registrar@ontario.ca.
April 09, 2021 – Emergency Order Province Wide Restrictions
On April 1, 2021, the Ontario government issued a further restriction to the Emergency Order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) effective April 3, 2021 for 28 days and on April 7th, a Stay-at-Home order for 28 days effective April 8th.
After a review of the Emergency Order and the Board’s ability to exercise its discretion, the Assessment Review Board will not be suspending any timelines.
Timelines/practices continuing
- Schedule of Events.
- Dismissal of appeals.
- Requests for Reviews under Part 15, Rules 101-105.
- Requests for late appeals under Rule 26.
All such requests will proceed in accordance with the Rules of Practice and Procedure.
- Requests to extend the Request for Reconsideration under section 40(4) of the Assessment Act.
Hearing events before the Board
- All hearing events that are scheduled before the Board will proceed.
- Any requests for settlement conferences and hearings through a filing of the mandatory meeting form, or a request by the parties, will be scheduled in accordance with our timelines.
Please review your appeals and if there is an opportunity to move any appeals to earlier dates in the process or to a settlement conference and/or hearing event, the ARB is available to meet the needs of the parties.
We understand that this is a difficult time. The ARB is striving to balance the health and safety of our staff and adjudicators with the safety of the parties, while providing fair and accessible services to the public.
The ARB strongly encourages all parties to continue working towards a resolution of the appeal and maintain timelines established through the Schedule of Events. If parties are unable to meet a deadline, or require an extension and/or an adjournment, they can submit an Expedited Board Directions form. The ARB will review each request and each case will be determined on its own merits.
Please continue to visit the ARB website for updates.
We appreciate your understanding and commitment to the ARB’s processes.
January 2021 - March 2021
March 31, 2021 – Electronic Document Format and Filing Requirements Guideline
We are writing to provide an update on Electronic Document Format and Filing Requirements Guideline (“Guideline”) that the Board has established for filing documents electronically.
Taking effect on April 1, 2021 the Guideline supports the Rules of Practice and Procedure and provides direction on how properly format and file documents with the Board. The Guideline also clearly identifies the ARB’s expectations for the parties.
Does this Guideline apply to all hearing events?
Yes, the Guideline and its requirements apply to all hearing events, including settlement conferences. The Guideline also applies to any Expert reports that will be filed with the Board. Upon retaining an expert, a party is required to notify the expert of the requirement to comply with this Guideline.
The Guideline is a mandatory requirement for any appeal within the General and Summary Proceedings. We strongly encourage that any self-represented appellant complies with the Guideline so the Board can continue to accept these documents.
What happens if the Guideline is not complied with?
Starting April 1, 2021, the Board will not accept any electronic documents that do not comply with the Guideline. If you are planning on filing documents that do not comply with the Guideline you must immediately revise your documents so that they do comply with the Guideline before resubmitting them to the Board.
The Board has developed an easy-to-follow reference card for quickly reviewing the requirements. Please find the new Guideline and reference card attached.
Please remember to file all documents and evidence that you plan to rely on at the hearing to ARB.Registrar@ontario.ca. As well, if you have any questions about the new guideline and requirements, you may send them to the ARB Registrar email provided above.
March 19, 2021 – Appeals Resolution Strategy – 2021 Taxation Year
The Assessment Review Board (ARB) is committed to fulfilling its mandate of resolving property assessment disputes within the regular four-year assessment cycle, however, with the postponement of the general reassessment for the 2021 taxation year, the common understanding is that the current assessment cycle has increased to a five (5) year assessment cycle.
We are writing to advise you of our expectations in resolving appeals before the next assessment cycle begins, including with newly filed 2021 appeals.
We are now at the end of the four-year assessment cycle, and the Board continues to evaluate its caseload and improve processes that were established at the beginning of 2017. Building on the Board’s successes to date, with the continued focus on our digital-first approach to providing services, please note the following updates:
- New Rules of Practice and Procedure: come into effect on April 1, 2021. The Board provided a consultation period from October to November 2020 so that stakeholders could provide feedback and/or recommendations on updates made to the Rules. This feedback resulted in reducing the schedule of events for the General stream from 66-104 weeks to 40-49 weeks.
- 2021 Appeals: New appeals filed for 2021 will be assigned a schedule of events.
- Legacy Appeals Initiative: The Board will continue to monitor legacy appeal proceedings and, where required, will schedule a case conference to provide any necessary direction to ensure the timely resolution of these appeals. As of January 2020, there were approximately 7600 legacy appeals. As of March 2021, there are 1369 appeals.
- Tax Appeals: Where a tax appeal is currently assigned to the General proceeding along with Assessment Act appeals, and the Assessment Act appeals are resolved, the Board will assign an earlier due date for filing documents to be relied on at the hearing, and schedule a Summary proceeding hearing.
- Hearing Months Assigned: All current appeals assigned to be heard by general or summary proceeding have been assigned a hearing month. Where a hearing is necessary, the parties are expected to proceed with the hearing by the assigned hearing month. Parties may request a hearing at a later date by completing an Expedited Board Directions Form (EBDF). This request must be submitted within one week of the completion of the settlement conference. Where the request is granted, the Board will schedule the hearing event.
- Hearing Timelines: All current appeal proceedings assigned to be heard by general proceeding, which are not resolved at the Mandatory Meeting stage, will be scheduled to a settlement conference within eight weeks of the Mandatory Meeting Form due date. If the appeal is not resolved at the settlement conference, the appeal will be scheduled within eight weeks. Unless the parties have complied with the Board’s Rules to elect to obtain additional expert reports, the Board requires that all parties complete all their pre-hearing work, including the exchange of disclosure, no later than the due date for filing the Mandatory Meeting Form.
- Deeming: Any appeal proceeding that has not been resolved by March 31, 2021, will be deemed to have a 2021 appeal.
- E-filing: Remember to e-file your appeals. The Board is currently considering a policy of only accepting e-filed appeals.
- Ongoing Digital Improvements: Where it can, the Board will continue to reduce the use of paper documents, improve and update its processes and systems, work with parties to modernize the transfer of information, and explore ways to improve the use of technology to provide faster and more efficient services.
Expectations:
The Board’s goal is that 85% of all appeals should be resolved before the beginning of the next assessment cycle. The Board expects that all parties continue working collaboratively, towards resolving their appeals.
The Board will continue to review all outstanding appeals to determine whether a case conference should be scheduled. The Board requests that all representatives review their active caseloads to assess whether there is any opportunity to expedite the completion of an appeal proceeding. If so, please contact the Registrar, or submit a request for an EBDF.
As the next assessment cycle approaches, the Board will be issuing an Appeals Resolution Strategy for Active Appeals. The Board looks forward to working with all stakeholders to efficiently resolve appeals in a timely manner and appreciates your commitment and dedication in achieving this goal.
January 29, 2021 - ARB Digital-First Approach – Looking Ahead
The ARB continues to enhance its operations and processes using a digital-first approach to providing services. Some of the digital services we remind you to use are:
Website - Our website is the main portal to access all information about the Board. By visiting our website you can:
- find information about managing the appeal process and news updates;
- access our E-Services and other important resources;
- view appeals and appeal commencement dates, which are updated monthly;
- review ARB Rules of Practice and Procedure;
- download forms; and
- stay informed about Operational Updates.
Tax Calculator – This is an interactive online reference tool that helps potential appellants calculate estimated savings from a possible change in assessment value. Potential appellants can then determine if any potential savings offset all related costs for filing an appeal.
E-Filing – Our appeals are primarily filed electronically. We encourage you to continue to use our safe, secure, reliable and “real time” filing system for filing your appeal. You will receive immediate confirmation of your appeal once all information is entered and payment is received. E-Filed appeals receive a $10 discount off the filing fee.
Email Addresses - As the Board continues to pursue its digital-first approach to meet the diverse needs of Ontarians and enhance the quality of dispute resolution services, anyone who files an appeal with the Board must provide us with an email address. There are many different options available to create an email address if you do not already have one. Email is the most efficient way of communicating with the Board; it’s fast and reliable. Appeals may take longer to process without the ability to communicate with all parties by email.
Email Communication – The Board is committed to communicating with all parties by email. This means that an email address must be provided by appellants for the purpose of resolving appeals. It is the Board’s intention to issue a Practice Direction outlining this requirement.
Electronic Document Guideline – The Board will be issuing a guideline providing direction on the requirements for naming documents that will be filed with the Board electronically.
As we continue to look forward, the ARB is interested in further reducing our paper footprint. The ARB is currently researching ways to eliminate the paper notice to the municipalities by creating a data file that can be sent electronically. We are still in the early stages of this research however we will soon be reaching out to the municipalities to gather more information.
If you are interested in having an “early thinking” discussion with the Registrar, please contact the Board at ARB.Registrar@ontario.ca.
January 19, 2021 - Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency
On January 12, 2021, the Ontario government issued a second Declaration of Emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) effective January 14, 2021 for 28 days until February 10, 2021.
The ARB now conducts all of its administrative and adjudicative processes using a digital-first approach. Parties have been successfully communicating and participating in these electronic processes, particularly since the first Declaration of Emergency on March 16, 2020. The ARB has reviewed it discretion under the second Declaration of Emergency and confirms that its current practices and procedures allow the ARB to provide its services in a manner consistent with the “stay at home” order. The ARB will not be suspending any timelines.
The Schedule of Events will continue as published with no changes or suspension to the timelines set. The ARB anticipates all parties will continue to meet their timelines accordingly. The ARB understands that these times can present difficult and sometimes unanticipated challenges. If, despite all efforts, parties are unable to meet a deadline, or require an extension and/or an adjournment, they may submit a request to the ARB though an Expedited Board Directions request form. The ARB will review and determine each request on its own merits.