Table of Contents
The Adjudicative Tribunals Accountability, Governance and Appointments Act (Ontario) (“ATAGAA”) requires Tribunals Ontario to prepare a Business Plan annually. This document sets out the Business Plan for Tribunals Ontario for the three fiscal years commencing April 1, 2022 and ending on March 31, 2025.
This business plan supports Tribunals Ontario’s vision: to optimize dispute resolution through modern ways of service delivery while always keeping access to justice at the centre of everything we do.
Tribunals Ontario is a group of 13 adjudicative tribunals with a mandate to resolve and decide matters relating to safety, licensing, land, and social justice. Tribunals Ontario is led by an Executive Chair, who also assumes the powers, duties and functions legislatively assigned to the chair of each constituent tribunal. The Executive Chair is accountable to the Minister (Attorney General) for the performance of Tribunals Ontario in fulfilling its mandate. All tribunals benefit from the coordination and sharing of resources, expertise, best practices, processes, and administrative and professional development support.
While under the leadership of the Executive Chair, each tribunal maintains its legislative mandate and remains independent in its decision-making. Decisions of tribunals are made by adjudicators who are appointed for fixed terms by Orders-In-Council made by the Lieutenant Governor-In-Council on the recommendation of the Executive Chair, Minister and Cabinet. Adjudicators report to the Executive Chair.
The organization is also led by an Executive Director, who is responsible for supporting the Executive Chair in the implementation of Tribunals Ontario's policies and operational decisions. The Executive Director is accountable to the Deputy Attorney General for the management of Tribunals Ontario's operations. Staff are Ontario Public Servants and report to the Executive Director.
Diversity of our adjudicators and staff ensures the organization has the knowledge, expertise, and experience to fulfill its mandate. It is the skill and commitment of our adjudicators and staff that ensure fairness and excellent service delivery to meet the needs of the public we serve.
The tribunals hold proceedings and promote the early resolution of a multitude of matters using a variety of dispute resolution methods.
Tribunals Ontario is committed to serving the interests of all Ontarians and that includes looking at ways to improve our dispute resolution services, our accessibility and our measurement of effectiveness in meeting these goals.
Over the past year, Tribunals Ontario improved its services on behalf of those who came before its tribunals in the following ways:
Tribunals Ontario has focused on building a safe and accessible operating model during a time when mobility throughout the province has been restricted. Safety measures were put in place to allow critical services to continue in office locations, while the remainder of services were adapted for delivery from remote locations. While in-person service counters continue to remain closed for public safety reasons, all other services are continuing to be delivered remotely enabling access to justice throughout the province.
We have been working on developing a model for Tribunals Ontario return to the workplace that aligns with Ontario Public Service (OPS) guidelines yet considers our organization’s specific operational needs. Our commitment remains first and foremost to a gradual, flexible, and safe return to the workplace for all Tribunals Ontario staff and adjudicators and our plans will continue to be guided by those key principles.
Tribunals Ontario launched a new online interactive information tool, Navigate Tribunals Ontario, at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) on July 2, 2021. The goal of the new platform is to empower users of our tribunals with information and options that are tailored to their problem or situation. Our hope and expectation are that this will enhance the user experience and provide a more accessible way for Ontarians to access justice.
Tribunals Ontario launched the first phase of our new case management system, Tribunals Ontario Portal (TOP), on December 8, 2021. The first tribunal to implement TOP is the LTB. When fully implemented, TOP will replace the LTB’s existing case management system. The new case management system will allow parties to view case file information, communicate with each other, and ask for help from a mediator to try to resolve their dispute before it goes to a hearing.
As of November 25, 2021, all Tribunals Ontario parties who do not have access to a telephone, computer and/or the internet may be accommodated in the Toronto, Hamilton, London, and Ottawa hearing centres to participate in their virtual hearings.
Expanding these terminals to all our tribunals is another big step forward for our organization and another strong example of our ongoing commitment to increase access to justice for those who appear before our tribunals. As of November 7, 2021, parties in 55 cases have been granted the use of access terminals for cases before the Landlord and Tenant Board.
In 2021, Tribunals Ontario shifted to the Zoom videoconference platform to conduct tribunal and board video proceedings. The transition to Zoom was done in a phased manner to ensure it was smooth and did not create disruption to services.
Tribunals Ontario launched Zoom as a pilot at the LTB in March 2021 in response to feedback from parties and stakeholders that a more user-friendly platform was needed. The tools and functionality in Zoom created a better experience for those who accessed our services. All Tribunals Ontario tribunals have now transitioned to Zoom.
In October, the Ontario Parole Board (OPB) successfully launched its first Zoom Circle Hearing at the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene. Zoom videoconferencing allowed the Indigenous applicant, OPB adjudicators, assistants, victims, and the Indigenous Elders to connect virtually while at the same time ensuring that the OPB continues to meet its commitment to deliver a culturally appropriate hearing process to Indigenous Peoples.
Tribunals Ontario has made significant progress in the recruitment of additional adjudicators and increasing the capacity of its appointments team.
Adjudicators are appointed in accordance with a competitive merit-based process. Since April 1, 2021, the government has appointed Associate Chairs to the Licence Appeal Tribunal and Animal Care Review Board and reappointed the Associate Chair to the Landlord and Tenant Board as well as the Executive Chair to Tribunals Ontario. By December 23, 2021, the government had made the following appointments to Tribunals Ontario: 95 net new adjudicators, 21 existing adjudicators to a new position or tribunal through competition, 20 cross-appointments by waiver of existing adjudicators and reappointment of 55 existing adjudicators. As of December 23, 2021, Tribunals Ontario has 293 adjudicators – more than its 13 tribunals have ever had.
Achieving a full complement of adjudicators has been one of Tribunal Ontario’s top priorities. Tribunals Ontario will continue to work diligently with the government to address the need for the appointment of a full complement of adjudicators.
Tribunals across the organization have implemented plans to engage and consult with stakeholders. This has taken many forms, including participating in virtual meetings to requesting written feedback on proposed changes to rules and processes. Tribunals Ontario will continue to encourage and promote open dialogue with stakeholders in order to effectively serve the public and continually improve access to justice.
Tribunals Ontario is focused on delivering excellence in dispute resolution services. To achieve this, Tribunals Ontario will continue to pursue three main strategic directions for the April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025 period: Digital Modernization, People First, and User Experience.
Some highlights from our three strategic directions are:
Tribunals Ontario is a group of 13 adjudicative tribunals with a mandate to resolve and decide matters arising from over 60 statutes relating to safety, licensing, land, and social justice.
Tribunals Ontario will deliver administrative justice in a fair, independent, effective and efficient manner. We promote public confidence through integrity and excellence, and by being accessible, accountable and responsive.
Tribunals Ontario will optimize dispute resolution through modern, new ways of service delivery.
Tribunals Ontario is guided by the following four core values:
Accessibility
Publications, communications, and facilities will provide full and equitable access. Practices and procedures will be designed to promote informed and meaningful participation, and support diversity and inclusion.
Accountability
High quality services are delivered consistently and with regard to value for money, resulting in a fair and accessible experience for parties, stakeholders, staff, and adjudicators.
Integrity
Staff and adjudicators will act with honesty and with professionalism, exhibiting the highest standards of public service.
Fairness
Proceedings will be conducted impartially, and parties will have a reasonable opportunity to be heard. Decisions will be principled and based on the facts, the applicable law, and the merits of the case.
Respect
Our actions demonstrate continued respect towards the public, our colleagues, and the law.
Tribunals Ontario is responsible for 13 boards, tribunals, and commissions (constituent tribunals) that fall under the Ministry of the Attorney General.
The constituent tribunals use a variety of dispute resolution methods and conduct different types of events, including full hearings, case management conferences, pre-hearings, motion hearings and mediation sessions to resolve disputes between parties. The tribunals process files from intake to closure, which may include issuance of decisions, orders and recommendations arising from pre-hearings and mediations, settlement conferences and if required, a formal hearing.
The specific mandates for the 13 constituent tribunals are set out below.
Animal Care Review Board (ACRB) resolves disputes and conducts hearings regarding animal welfare, including hearing appeals of orders and decisions of the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector and other animal welfare inspectors. When reviewing appeals and applications, the welfare of any animal involved is the ACRB’s main priority.
Assessment Review Board (ARB) adjudicates applications and appeals on property assessments, classifications, and tax matters.
Child and Family Services Review Board (CFSRB) conducts reviews, hearings and appeals for matters affecting children, youth, and families in Ontario, including Children’s Aid Society services complaints, emergency secure treatment admissions, adoption refusals, and appeals of school board expulsions.
Custody Review Board (CRB) reviews placement decisions regarding young persons being held in detention or custody and makes recommendations to the Provincial Director regarding the placement of youth.
Fire Safety Commission (FSC) resolves disputes and conducts hearings regarding fire safety matters, including orders made by inspectors or the Fire Marshal for repairs, alterations or installations to a building, structure, or premises.
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) resolves claims of discrimination and harassment brought under the Human Rights Code.
Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) resolves disputes between residential landlords and tenants and resolves eviction applications filed by non-profit housing co-operatives. The LTB also provides information about its practices and procedures and the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006.
Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) adjudicates applications and resolves disputes concerning compensation claims and licensing activities regulated by the provincial government, including the activities of delegated administrative authorities. The LAT is comprised of two divisions: General Service (LAT-GS) and Automobile Accident Benefits Service (LAT-AABS).
Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) adjudicates applications, conducts investigations, and resolves disputes regarding the oversight and provision of policing services. This includes hearing appeals of police disciplinary decisions, conducting investigations and inquiries into the conduct of chiefs of police, police officers and members of police services boards.
In March 2019, the Ontario government passed the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, which introduced many changes to the oversight of policing in the province. The OCPC will not be part of the new framework of oversight and will be dissolved after an appropriate transition period. Many OCPC functions will be redistributed and some removed. Adjudicative matters will be heard by the Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission. Investigative and policing standards functions will be the responsibility of the Inspector General of Policing.
Ontario Parole Board (OPB) makes parole decisions for applicants serving a sentence of less than two years in a provincial correctional institution. The OPB also decides applications for temporary absences from a correctional institution for greater than 72 hours.
Ontario Special Education Tribunals - English and French (OSETs) hear appeals from parents who have been unable to resolve disputes with school boards respecting the identification and placement of exceptional pupils.
Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT) considers appeals by applicants who have been refused social assistance and recipients of social assistance who disagree with a decision that affects the amount of, or their eligibility for, social assistance.
It goes without saying that individuals, families and businesses across the province continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Many continue to face a variety of socio-economic hardships such as an inability to pay rent, higher unemployment, greater reliance on social assistance and increasing reports of discrimination.
The pandemic has also had an impact on the day-to-day operations at Tribunals Ontario. At the start of the pandemic, Tribunals Ontario immediately pivoted to deliver services remotely to make it safer and easier to access tribunal services. Building on this transition, Tribunals Ontario has implemented a digital-first but not digital-only approach, with a focus on, and commitment to, making ongoing improvements to our virtual hearing process and functionality to ensure that hearings are accessible, user friendly and state of the art.
Under Tribunals Ontario’s Practice Direction on Hearing Format, parties who can’t participate in a telephone or video hearing can ask for another format, either because an electronic hearing would be unfair or because they need an accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
In early 2021, the LTB began accommodating parties who needed access to a computer and telephone terminal at the 15 Grosvenor Hearing Centre in Toronto. In June 2021, the LTB expanded access terminals to Ottawa, London and Hamilton hearing centres. On November 25, 2021, this initiative was expanded to all Tribunals Ontario tribunals.
Building on its digital-first strategy, Tribunals Ontario launched Navigate Tribunals Ontario – a new inter-active online tool that empowers users with tailored information about their rights and responsibilities and rules and processes at the LTB. With a $28.45 million investment from the provincial government, in December 2021, Tribunals Ontario launched the Tribunals Ontario Portal for the LTB. While the LTB is the first to implement this online tool, the multi-phase transformation will see other boards and tribunals begin to transition to the new system over the next three years.
On April 27, 2021, the Protecting the People of Ontario Act (Budget Measures) provided $28.45 million over four years to implement a new case management system for Tribunals Ontario.
On December 9, 2021, the Build Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2021 received Royal Assent. The Budget Measures amended the Assessment Act by adding a new subsection that provides for the deemed application of the amended definition of pipe line for the purposes of certain proceedings relating to an assessment of a pipe line made by the assessment corporation for a taxation year prior to 2022.
Each of the constituent boards and tribunals at Tribunals Ontario is established by statute. The jurisdiction of those tribunals is subject to change over time as the government updates policy, regulations, and legislation to better meet the needs of the people of Ontario. Tribunals Ontario advises the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) of the potential impacts to process, resource needs and service delivery when changes to jurisdiction are identified.
Assessment Review Board (ARB)
The general reassessment for the taxation years 2021, 2022 and 2023 was postponed.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB)
The CICB completed adjudication of all applications in fiscal 2021-2022 before the board’s dissolution on December 30, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, recurring periodic payments and treatment invoice payments to service providers as ordered will continue to be paid by the Victims and Vulnerable Persons Division of MAG until expiry.
Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)
RTAThe LTB has been meeting with stakeholders regularly regarding changes to rules and processes including receiving feedback on Bill 184, which amended the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. The amendments provide for a significant increase in the LTB’s jurisdiction which will likely lead to an increase in the number of applications and hearings before the LTB.
On January 14, 2021, the provincial government, through an emergency order, put a second temporary pause on the enforcement of residential evictions. That order was lifted on June 2, 2021.
On June 16, 2021, the provincial government announced that the 2022 rent increase guideline is 1.2 per cent, effective January 1, 2022. The government had implemented a residential rent freeze for the calendar year 2021.
Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT)
On February 1, 2021, the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017 (NHCLA) was proclaimed, establishing a new regulatory scheme for builders and vendors of new homes in Ontario. A builder or vendor who applies for a licence, or is licensed under the NHCLA, may appeal proposals to revoke their licence or refuse them a licence to the LAT. The NHCLA also contains provisions that are not yet in force. These provisions allow for administrative penalties and other similar orders to be made against home builders/vendors, who can then appeal to the LAT.
On February 1, 2021, the Ontario New Homes Warranty Plan Act was amended. Under the new changes, the licensing of builders/vendors of new homes was moved from Tarion Warranty Corporation to a new regulator established under the NHCLA. Tarion continues to make decisions about alleged new home warranty violations that may be appealed to LAT. The recent amendments also added a new type of appeal to LAT regarding the enrolment of new homes in the warranty plan.
Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC)
On March 26, 2019, the government passed the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019 which introduced changes to the oversight of policing in Ontario, including the new but un-proclaimed Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA). The CSPA will, if proclaimed, transfer the OCPC’s functions to various entities established under the CSPA, while removing some others. The OCPC will continue until a regulation is passed under the CSPA providing for its dissolution. The OCPC will work with MAG to ensure a smooth transition.
Ontario Parole Board (OPB)
In response to COVID-19, amendments to section 44(3) of Ontario Regulation 778 under the Ministry of Correctional Services Act allowed the OPB to conduct hearings in writing and electronic formats, including by teleconference at provincial institutions.
Appointments
Tribunals Ontario continues to make the recruitment, appointment, and training of adjudicators a priority. We are continuing to work with the government to appoint adjudicators to all our tribunals to adjudicate matters and meet legislated time requirements and service standards. This includes the recruitment of designated bilingual adjudicators to provide French-language services at hearings. Tribunals Ontario remains committed to the recruitment of adjudicators to increase and stabilize resources at our constituent tribunals.
By December 23, 2021, the government had made the following appointments to Tribunals Ontario: 95 net new adjudicators, 21 existing adjudicators to a new position or tribunal through competition, 20 cross-appointments by waiver of existing adjudicators and reappointment of 55 existing adjudicators. As of December 23, 2021, Tribunals Ontario has 293 adjudicators – more than its 13 tribunals have ever had.
Digital-First Approach
Tribunals Ontario is building on its digital-first but not digital-only strategy by focusing on making ongoing improvements to our virtual hearing process and functionality to ensure that hearings are accessible, user friendly and state of the art. This digital transformation includes improving access to services and providing accommodation when requested, implementing a new case management system and expanding online payment portals. These changes will continue to transform Tribunals Ontario services, so they are accessible, efficient and effectively meet the needs of the people of Ontario.
Updates to Rules, Practice Direction and Guidelines
Tribunals Ontario is continuously examining and will make modifications to rules, practice directions and guidelines where and when necessary. Adjustments may need to be made to such things as the scheduling and rescheduling of events and responding to Indigenous service requests on a tribunal-specific basis.
Stakeholder Engagement
Tribunals Ontario is committed to stakeholder engagement and recognizes the role and value that stakeholders have in sharing feedback. As a result of Tribunals Ontario’s Public Consultation Policy, constituent tribunals continue to engage with stakeholders to solicit feedback to provide the best dispute resolution services to those who need it.
Tribunals Ontario is focused on delivering excellence in dispute resolution services. While the health and safety of staff and adjudicators as well as the individuals that engage with our Tribunals is paramount, we remain focused on our vision of becoming recognized as being among the best adjudicative tribunals in North America. To achieve this, Tribunals Ontario will continue to pursue three main strategic directions for the April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025 period: Digital Modernization, People First, and User Experience.
The delivery of public services has been shifting for several years from in-person services at physical locations to digital services accessed online. Prior to the global pandemic, Tribunals Ontario was already starting to shift its dispute resolution services away from in-person proceedings to written, telephone or video proceedings.
The realities of the global pandemic have accelerated the delivery of online services throughout the private and public sectors and this is also true at Tribunals Ontario. It is a high priority for Tribunals Ontario to modernize its digital tools in order to provide first class remote dispute resolution services to the people of Ontario. A central element of this digital modernization will be to transition to a new case management system across all tribunals which will:
Other key priorities will be to:
COVID-19 has changed how, when and where we work, and staff and adjudicators in the organization have worked tirelessly to ensure service continuity in the administrative justice sector. Our people first strategy will target staff and adjudicator experience in the workplace with an aim to improve inclusivity and accountability from the front line to the senior leadership. Some of our priorities under this strategic direction include:
Every person who engages with the justice system should have the opportunity to be heard, and to participate in a process that is safe, fair, transparent, and timely. While every person who engages with the justice system may not agree with the final resolution, they should feel that they were served respectfully, that they understood the process, and that the experience was user-friendly. The user experience strategy will:
Tribunals Ontario is committed to developing and supporting our people’s well-being so they can achieve their full potential. We are dedicated to collaborating and working together with internal partners and stakeholders to design and deliver a client-focused HR strategy and service delivery ensuring integrated and effective policies, processes, and programs across the organization.
Tribunals Ontario continues to commit to developing and supporting leaders, in-line with OPS commitments, and to promoting a skilled, engaged, and diverse workforce through internal training and leadership programs that support the development of new leaders, enhance the skills of existing leaders, and drive overall employee engagement.
Human resource planning across the organization is enhanced through attraction, retention and succession planning initiatives and by inspiring a culture of continuous learning and inclusion.
Tribunals Ontario continues to work towards leveraging the OPS Employee Engagement Survey results to support the organization with the development and implementation of action plans to improve overall engagement.
Tribunals Ontario has a full time equivalent (FTE) allocation of 477 staff and 155 full-time Order-in-Council (OIC) positions. Tribunals Ontario does not set its own compensation levels. Management and staff are covered by the OPS Compensation Directive. Compensation for OIC appointees is set by the Treasury Board and approved by Cabinet. This is specified in the Agencies & Appointments Directive.
| Group | Tribunals Ontario Number of Active Employees |
|---|---|
| Executive Management Group | 4 |
| Crown Counsel (CC5) | 1 |
| Association of Law Officers of the Crown (ALOC) | 17 |
| Management Compensation Plan (MCP) | 40 |
| Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario (AMAPCEO) | 94 |
| Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) | 316 |
| Excluded | 1 |
| Sub-Total Staff | 472 |
| Order-in-Council (OIC) Full-time Members* | 125 |
| Total | 597 |
*In addition, Tribunals Ontario had a complement of 137 OIC Part-time adjudicators
Over the next three years Tribunals Ontario will replace several legacy case management systems with a single digital solution that includes a common case management system and integrated online dispute resolution functionality. The integrated digital solution will focus on four key elements:
The benefits of this new approach include:
Early results have proven the videoconference format successful, with electronic hearings forming the basis of our digital-first strategy. Going forward, Tribunals Ontario will examine options on how to make its proceedings more accessible through streaming services for the larger public to view. Similarly, Tribunals Ontario will look to expand making hearing dockets available on the Tribunals Ontario website for interested parties to get information about a case or if they’re interested, to request a link to attend the hearing.
Over the next three years, Tribunals Ontario will continue to enhance its web presence with a focus on:
Tribunals Ontario’s Communications Unit provides a range of services and products that help the 13 tribunals to deliver on their strategic objectives while maintaining strong communications with stakeholders and the public.
Communication activities include internal communications, issues management, media relations, website content development, and strategic communications planning and support for tribunal and board initiatives and stakeholder engagement activities. These services help Tribunals Ontario provide stakeholders and the public with the information relevant to them in a clear and transparent manner.
Broadly, Tribunals Ontario’s communications plan aims to:
Tribunals Ontario continues to pursue a digital-first strategy to meet the diverse needs of Ontarians and enhance the quality of dispute resolution services. As more users are relying on the Tribunals Ontario website as the first point of access for information, communication products will be developed with accessibility, transparency, and equity in mind.
As the organization adapts to a hybrid working model where staff and adjudicators work in the office and remotely, there is a greater dependence on a robust internal communications strategy to keep staff and adjudicators informed and engaged on operational and strategic changes. The purpose of the strategy is to provide an ongoing, clear, and consistent exchange of information with staff and adjudicators.
Internal communications tools and products that were recently launched and will continue to be distributed/facilitated include:
Tribunals Ontario proactively engages with stakeholders on its policies, practices, and rules through virtual stakeholder engagement sessions. The virtual sessions provide information to stakeholders about tribunals, current procedures, and jurisdiction, and to seek feedback about operational changes.
When public and stakeholder consultations are held, Tribunals Ontario will post a notice on the website, notify stakeholders via email and also post materials for consultation on a dedicated page. In most cases, tribunals will share a summary document of feedback received and finalized materials with stakeholders via email and on the website.
In addition, the Executive Chair, Associate Chairs, Senior Management and Legal Counsel are connecting with stakeholder groups by participating in virtual speaking engagements. Tribunals Ontario is committed to having ongoing engagement with our stakeholders, with the goal being to ensure that our services and processes meet stakeholder and user needs.
The Tribunals Ontario website is a primary information and communication channel for the organization and its stakeholders. The site provides up-to-date, accessible and easy to understand information for all tribunals and boards. This is critical to ensure the public, self-represented parties and stakeholders understand and are aware of the relevant information they need to access services. As required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Tribunals Ontario’s website is AODA compliant and we are working towards being compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines AA Standards.
Tribunals Ontario is working to provide more online services aligned with its digital-first approach. New services launched in 2021 include an online application payment option for the Landlord and Tenant Board and an information tool, Navigate Tribunals Ontario, for landlords and tenants.
The online payment portal allows parties to pay for application fees online and file their applications by email. Tribunals Ontario is working to expand the online payment portal to more tribunals.
Navigate Tribunals Ontario provides simple, accurate, and plain language information that empowers users with tailored information about their rights and responsibilities. The LTB is the first tribunal to offer the new tool. Over the next three years, Navigate Tribunals Ontario will be expanded to more tribunals, boards, and commissions.
Tribunals Ontario is committed to responding to media inquiries effectively, accurately and in a timely manner.
Tribunals Ontario will continue to share hearing details with reporters and media outlets who have shown interest in particular cases. This will help promote and maintain positive working relationships with journalists.
Tribunals Ontario will continue to facilitate Media 101 training sessions with staff and adjudicators to ensure they understand the organization’s role in media relations and what they should do if they are contacted by a member of the media.
To increase access to news content, Tribunals Ontario is working with MAG to procure a clipping service to provide cost-efficient media monitoring and analysis, as well as content that is currently only available via subscriptions.
Tribunals Ontario is committed to and is actively taking deliberate action to help foster and sustain a safe and respectful workplace – one that is inclusive, diverse, equitable, anti-racist, accessible and free from harassment and discrimination. Tribunals Ontario is working to identify, prevent and remove barriers to ensure the organization achieves the best outcomes for employees and the people who access services.
The inception of an enterprise level Diversity and Inclusion Committee in May 2021 has facilitated the opportunity to build a grassroots strategy to address the key themes and actions reflected in the Ontario government’s Third-Party Review as well as the specific and unique needs within Tribunals Ontario. In June 2021, Tribunals Ontario developed an Anti-Racism Action plan which received very positive feedback from the government’s Anti-Racism Directorate, validating Tribunals Ontario’s plan and efforts towards building anti-racism competency and capacity within the organization.
Tribunals Ontario believes that the foundations of building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace requires a commitment to build awareness and knowledge of anti-racist leadership competencies. The organization has committed to strengthening this competency through the following educational opportunities:
Tribunals Ontario has determined that employee engagement sessions should be held to gain greater insight into the realities underlying the findings through the OPS Third Party Review and the 2021 OPS Employee Experience survey results in its treatment of racialized and under-represented employees.
Tribunals Ontario will be establishing internal employee engagement sessions to better understand the experiences and barriers faced within Tribunals Ontario and seek input on steps we can take to move forward. These conversations will be critical to informing our D&I strategy – which we intend to continue to evolve and grow – and ensure that our actions are responsive and effective in identifying and addressing systemic barriers.
Tribunals Ontario is also committed to creating “safe spaces” within the organization for individuals to go to for support if they are experiencing issues. As a first step, Tribunals Ontario has been working with the OPS Pride Network to arrange Positive Space training sessions at Tribunals Ontario. These sessions aim to increase awareness of the sexual and gender diversity that exists in the OPS community and help make workspaces an LGBTQ+ inclusive, welcoming and supportive environment.
Tribunals Ontario continues to work towards its commitment to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce that embeds barrier-free hiring policies, processes, and services within the organization. As part of this commitment, Tribunals Ontario established several internal employee engagement committees that support the well-being of the workforce and aim to remove potential systematic barriers to career progression.
Tribunals Ontario also ensures that interviews are conducted using consistent, structured, and objective criteria and processes. Adoption of the Ontario Public Service inclusion lens and the use of diversity and inclusion volunteer panel members helps to reduce potential bias that may be inherent during various stages of recruitment.
Over the coming year, Tribunals Ontario will develop a succession planning framework to identify and develop future leaders in the organization and prepare high-potential employees for career advancement and continue to adopt a flexible workplace strategy to support employee engagement, be an employer of choice and meet the needs of a diverse workforce and flexible work culture.
Tribunals Ontario is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. Tribunals Ontario believes in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). As an organization comprised of 13 adjudicative tribunals, Tribunals Ontario will provide accommodation while maintaining impartiality and adjudicative independence.
The 2020-2023 Tribunals Ontario Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) is organized around the following standards and general requirements of the AODA:
As outlined in the MYAP, Tribunals Ontario will focus on ensuring that our services are accessible. That means:
In establishing and maintaining its MYAP, Tribunals Ontario commits to auditing its current policies and practices, built environment, procurement processes, employment practices, and any proposed new website development to ensure that it meets the requirements of the AODA and its Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). Any potential or noted breaches will be identified and remedied.
Tribunals Ontario will provide training to employees and adjudicators on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees and adjudicators.
Communication supports and accessible formats will be provided, upon request, in a timely manner, to individuals who require assistance in communication such as:
Tribunals Ontario has made achievements in the following areas:
Staff will consult with the client making the request to determine their accessibility needs. No additional fees will be charged to provide the alternate format. Tribunals Ontario will notify the public that it will provide accessible formats and communication supports on its website and through its published materials.
Tribunals Ontario’s budget reflects the overall operational costs which include the Licence Appeal Tribunal – Automobile Accident Benefits Service operational costs which are fully recoverable from the insurance industry, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) transfer payments. Please note that the CICB completed adjudication of all applications in fiscal 2021-2022 before the board’s dissolution on December 30, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, recurring periodic payments and treatment invoice payments to service providers as ordered will continue to be paid by the Victims and Vulnerable Persons Division of MAG until expiry.
| Fiscal Year 2021-22 | |||
| Operating Budget | 2021-22 Budget Allocation | 2021-22 Q2 Forecast | Variance Surplus (Pressures) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries and Wages | |||
| Salaries and Wages | $50,191,900 | $58,862,730 | $(3,670,830) |
| Benefits | $6,317,700 | $7,286,253 | $(968,553) |
| Other Direct Operating Expense (ODOE) | |||
| Transportation & Communications | $2,595,100 | $1,496,122 | $1,098,978 |
| Services | $14,844,700 | $25,153,738 | $(10,309,038) |
| Supplies & Equipment | $527,800 | $341,109 | $186,691 |
| Sub-total Operating | $74,477,200 | $88,139,952 | $(13,662,752) |
| Recoveries | $(457,300) | $(400,000) | $(57,300) |
| Total Operating | $74,019,900 | $87,739,952 | $(13,720,052) |
| Transfer Payments | 2021-22 Budget Allocation | 2021-22 Q2 Forecast | Variance Surplus (Pressure) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer Payments – CICB | $1,500,000 | $2,913,433 | ($1,413,433) |
| Revenue | 2021-22 Budget Allocation | 2021-22 Q2 Forecast | Variance Surplus (Pressure) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fees and Sales* | $21,409,200 | $14,735,985 | $6,673,215 |
| Reimbursement of Expenditure LAT-AABS | $16,130,500 | $14,349,524 | $1,780,976 |
Note:
*ARB Assessment Year deferred resulting in a decrease in revenue for fiscal year 2021-22
| Fiscal Years 2022/23 – 2024/25 | |||
| Operating Budget | 2022-23* Budget Allocation |
2023-24** Budget Allocation |
2024-25** Budget Allocation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries and Wages | $50,740,932 | $51,017,977 | $50,400,421 |
| Benefits | $6,388,879 | $6,418,346 | $6,314,612 |
| Other Direct Operating Expense (ODOE) | |||
| Transportation & Communications | $2,503,398 | $2,498,509 | $2,475,824 |
| Services | $10,753,456 | $9,077,801 | $2,604,058 |
| Supplies & Equipment | $539,639 | $534,750 | $512,065 |
| Sub-total Operating | $70,926,304 | $69,547,383 | $62,306,980 |
| Recoveries | $(457,300) | $(457,300) | $(457,300) |
| Total Operating | $70,469,004 | $69,090,083 | $61,849,680 |
| Revenue | 2022-23* Budget Allocation |
2023-24** Budget Allocation |
2024-25** Budget Allocation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fees and Sales*** | $16,764,705 | $22,099,313 | $17,769,413 |
| Reimbursement of Expenditure LAT-AABS | $14,493,100 | $14,493,100 | $14,493,100 |
Notes:
* For fiscal years 2020-21 to 2023-24 Tribunals Ontario received additional funding in “Services” from the Ontario Onwards Acceleration Funding for the implementation of a new Case Management System.
** Revenue includes a 6% fee increase effective April 1, 2023.
*** ARB anticipates an increase in revenue for fiscal year 2023-2024 following the postponement of the general reassessment.
Service excellence is a priority for Tribunals Ontario. Pursuant to the Adjudicative Tribunals Accountability, Governance and Appointments Act, every tribunal or cluster must develop, and make public, service standards.
Performance measures are designed to assess the core business of resolving disputes in an accessible, fair, efficient and timely manner. The measures set out below reflect those in place at the time Tribunals Ontario was formed in January 2019. These measures include both statutory requirements and key performance indicators as applicable to the individual boards and tribunals. Note that the measures reported here are high level; the individual boards and tribunals use a more comprehensive set of measures to manage day-to-day operations.
Tribunals Ontario is completing a review of the performance measures for its 13 boards and tribunals with a view to standardizing and aligning the objectives across the organization. The performance measures reported below will be confirmed, revised or replaced for the 2022/23 fiscal year.
The results below are as of September 30, 2021.
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A hearing date will be scheduled within 5 business days of receipt of a completed appeal. | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| A hearing will take place no later than 10 business days after receipt of a completed appeal. | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| A decision will be issued within 30 days of the conclusion of a hearing. | 50% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General appeals will be resolved within 135 weeks of commencement date. | 97% | 85% | 85% | 85% |
| Summary appeals will be resolved within 40 weeks of commencement date. | 90% | 85% | 85% | 85% |
| Decisions will be issued within 60 days from the end of the hearing. | 99% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section 119/20 pre-hearing conferences will be scheduled within 40 calendar days after the application is deemed eligible. | 55% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Section 119/120 hearings will be scheduled within 60 calendar days after the application is deemed eligible. | 64% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Section 119/120 decisions or orders will be issued within 30 calendar days of the completion of the hearing. | 100% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Hearing for all other applications will be scheduled within 30 calendar days of receipt of the notice of application or determination of eligibility. | 100% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Decisions or Orders for all other applications will be issued within 30 calendar days after the hearing has been completed. | 66% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A review will begin with a telephone call within 24 hours of receipt of an application. | 100% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Recommendations will be issued within 30 calendar days of receipt of an application. | 86% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A hearing will be scheduled to take place within 45 days of receipt of a completed appeal. | 100% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Decisions will be released within 60 days of the final hearing event. | 86% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First mediation date offered within 150 days of the date parties agree to mediation. | 76% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| First hearing date offered within 180 days of the date the application is ready to proceed to hearing. | 10% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Decisions for hearings which take 3 days or less will be issued within 90 days. | 23% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Decisions for hearings which take longer than 3 days, will be issued within 180 days. | 75% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L1/L9 applications will be scheduled for hearing within 25 business days of receipt. | 0.3% (actual average of 69.9 days) |
80% | 80% | 80% |
| Decisions (Orders) for L1 and L9 applications will be issued within 4 business days at the conclusion of the final hearing. | 6% (actual average of 21.9 days) |
80% | 80% | 80% |
| All other LTB applications (excluding L5 and A4) will be scheduled for a hearing within 30 business days. | 7% (actual average of 68 days) |
80% | 80% | 80% |
| Decisions (Orders) for all other LTB applications (excluding L5 and A4) will be issued within 10 business days at the conclusion of the final hearing. | 45% (actual average of 24.5 days) |
80% | 80% | 80% |
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A case conference will take place within 3 months of receipt of an appeal/application. | 7% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| A hearing will take place within 3 months of a case conference. | 22% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| A decision will be issued within 3 months of the conclusion of the hearing. | 45% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| An appeal/application will be resolved within 9 months. | 62% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A case conference will take place within 3 months of receipt of an application or appeal. | 100% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| A hearing will take place within 3 months of a case conference. | 17% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| A decision will be issued within 3 months of the conclusion of a hearing. | 29% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| An appeal or application will be resolved within 9 months. | 17% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Section 54(1) Approval Requests – will be processed within 5 business days of receipt of the request. | 78% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A hearing will be convened, and a decision issued to the applicants by their parole eligibility date. | 100% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All appeals will be scheduled for mediation or a hearing within 120 calendar days of the response being filed. | 100% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Decisions will be issued within 90 calendar days. | 100% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Performance Measures | 2020-21 Actuals (Q2) | Target 2022-23 | Target 2023-24 | Target 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appeals scheduled with notice of hearing sent out no later than 30 calendar days after receipt of the appeal. | 33% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| The hearing date will be set no more than 180 calendar days after the date of the Notice of Hearing. | 51% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Decisions issued within 30 calendar days after the completion of the hearing. | 87% | 80% | 80% | 80% |