Landlord and Tenant Board
Stakeholder Memo
To: Landlord and Tenant Board Stakeholders
From: Lynn Dicaire, Registrar
Subject: Tribunals Ontario Updated Practice Direction on Hearing Formats
Effective November 30, 2020, Tribunals Ontario has an updated Practice Direction on Hearing Formats. The Practice Direction outlines Tribunals Ontario’s approach to determining the format of hearings and explains how a party may request a different hearing format.
This updated Practice Direction is part of Tribunals Ontario’s digital transformation, which is intended to enhance the quality of dispute resolution services while meeting the diverse needs of Ontarians. The plan to become digital-first is not digital-only. Supports are available for individuals who require a different hearing format.
“Our approach, which prioritizes digital services, aims to create more convenient, simple and faster access to justice, while also providing the possibility of requesting a different form of hearing,” said Sean Weir, Executive Chair of Tribunals Ontario.
Matters will proceed as video, telephone, or written hearings unless a different hearing format is required as an accommodation related to the Ontario Human Rights Code, or unless a party can establish that the assigned hearing format would result in an unfair hearing. Parties may request a different hearing format by contacting their Regional LTB office by email.
All Tribunals Ontario’s hearing centres are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, a party can contact the tribunal to make a request for an in-person proceeding. The tribunal will determine whether the matter will proceed in a different hearing format or whether it will proceed as an in-person proceeding. Tribunals Ontario will schedule limited in-person events when we are able to do so safely.
When in-person proceedings become available, Tribunals Ontario’s hearing centres will adhere to strict health and safety measures to protect staff, adjudicators and Ontarians. More details about safety protocols at hearing centres will be provided later this winter.
Tribunals Ontario is committed to providing fair, effective and timely dispute resolution services to the people of Ontario.
If you have any questions, please contact your Regional LTB office by email or LTB@ontario.ca.
Sincerely,
(Original signed by)
Lynn Dicaire
Registrar