November 27, 2024
Tribunals Ontario has modernized its website to provide a more intuitive, user-friendly online experience for users. For more information, see our operational update and Quick User Guide .
Consultations
Learn about Tribunals Ontario consultations and view recent consultations held.
Consultations overview
Tribunals Ontario is committed to ongoing consultation with stakeholders and the public on issues of process, procedure, service and accessibility.
Our Public Consultation Policy outlines our approach to consultation and stakeholder engagement. Tribunals Ontario recognizes the importance of both in understanding the needs and perspectives of its stakeholders.
Tribunals Ontario consults formally and informally with a variety of stakeholders on a number of topics including:
- tribunal policies
- rules, guidelines and practice directions
- new programs and initiatives
- scheduling changes
- process design reviews
- forms and applications
Consultations can occur in a number of different ways including through email inquiries/submissions, online questionnaires and surveys, or through one-time or ongoing meetings.
Recent consultations
2024 Consultations
| Tribunal | Description | Closing date |
|---|---|---|
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) |
The HRTO is consulting on updates to the Rules of Procedure. These updates will support operational changes made to streamline the HRTO’s hearing process by reducing the number and types of events scheduled. To review the potential changes, see the HRTO’s consultation page on Updates to Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario Rules of Procedure. |
November 22, 2024 |
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) |
The HRTO consulted on updates to its Rules of Procedure. These updates will be required to support an operational change, as a result of Tribunals Ontario’s practice of audio recording hearings. |
May 20, 2024 |
2023 Consultations
| Tribunal | Description | Consultation date |
|---|---|---|
Licence Appeal Tribunal – General Service (LAT-GS) |
The LAT-GS partnered with the Ontario Public Service – Ontario Digital Service Research Lab who conducted research sessions with internal and external users to review operational processes and website content to find opportunities for improvement. |
September / October 2023 |
Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) |
In 2023, two new LTB video guides were developed to include information on the hearing sign-in process, the role of Tenant Duty Counsel, mediation, and what to expect in the hearing room. Over the summer of 2023, a number of targeted LTB stakeholders were engaged to provide feedback on the video scripts. They provided valuable input to ensure the videos meet the needs of the parties that come before the LTB. |
August 2023 |
Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) |
The LAT repeatedly engaged with stakeholders to request feedback on potential changes to the Common Rules of Practice and Procedure. This included providing stakeholders with draft Rules for their comment. |
January – July 2023 |
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) |
The HRTO sought stakeholder feedback to simplify its primary intake form, Form 1: Individual Application , to better meet the needs of applicants and to help fairly, efficiently and effectively resolve claims of discrimination and harassment brought under the Human Rights Code. |
May 2023 |
Animal Care Review Board (ACRB) |
The ACRB partnered with the Ontario Public Service – Ontario Digital Service Research Lab who conducted research sessions with internal and external users to review operational processes and website content to find opportunities for improvement. |
March / April 2023 |
Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) |
The LTB requested stakeholder feedback on a proposed initiative to hold hearings during evenings and on weekends. |
January 2023 |
2022 Consultations
| Tribunal | Description | Consultation date |
|---|---|---|
Tribunals Ontario – Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – ACRB, ARB, CFSRB, CRB, FSC, HRTO, OCPC, OPB, OSETs, LAT GS and SBT |
Tribunals Ontario implemented new 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. As part of this initiative, tribunals revised or updated their existing KPIs to begin tracking performance against these new organizational KPIs. Tribunals Ontario asked for feedback on most tribunal KPIs, with additional consultations planned for the remaining tribunals in as part of future phases of the initiative. |
November / December 2022 |
Licence Appeal Tribunal – Automobile Accident Benefits Service (LAT-AABS) |
The LAT-AABS consulted with stakeholders to implement the pilot project of the canvass-based scheduling model throughout all of LAT-AABS. Based on the stakeholder feedback, the canvass-based scheduling model was implemented in March 2022 to all LAT-AABS files, with further adjustments in September 2022. These adjustments were based on stakeholder feedback. |
November 2021 – September 2022 |
Fire Safety Commission (FSC) |
In 2022, the FSC looked at ways to improve their appeal and application processes. Tribunals Ontario partnered with the Ontario Public Service – Ontario Digital Service Research Lab team to independently conduct research sessions and share their findings. The sessions were:
|
September / October 2022 |
Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT) |
The SBT consulted with stakeholders to help develop a new Consent and Authorization Form 11 and updated Appeal Form 1 to actively offer French services. |
August 2022 |
Archived consultations
For our past consultations, see our archived Tribunals Ontario consultations.
Stakeholder engagement
In addition to consultation sessions, tribunals keep their stakeholders informed on a variety of operational changes through stakeholder engagement activities. Highlights of ongoing stakeholder engagement activities include:
- The Animal Care Review Board (ACRB) meets regularly with the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector and Animal Welfare Services. In 2022-2023, the ACRB shared operational updates and discussed changes to the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act.
- The Assessment Review Board meets quarterly with stakeholders through its Appeals Management Committee, which includes representatives from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, municipalities, law firms and tax agents.
- The Fire Safety Commission (FSC) meets regularly with the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM). In 2023, the FSC met with the OFM to discuss the revisions to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
- The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario meets regularly with the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Legal Support Centre as the “three pillars” of the human rights community.
- The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) meets regularly with stakeholders to discuss changes to rules and processes, operational updates, and enhancements to the Tribunals Ontario Portal. The LTB held a stakeholder townhall in December 2023.
- The Licence Appeal Tribunal – Automobile Accident Benefits Service met with stakeholders to gather feedback on its operational processes, resulting in the launch of a canvassing-based scheduling model for all oral adjudicative events which gives parties the opportunity to select case conference and oral hearing dates.
- The Ontario Parole Board meets quarterly with the Canadian Association of Paroling Authorities to discuss and shares best practices with the leadership of the Parole Board of Canada, Alberta Parole Board and Quebec Parole Board (Commission québécoise des libérations conditionnelles).
- The Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT) meets with stakeholders regularly to discuss and share information regarding processes, adjudicator recruitment, backlog and scheduling practices. In 2023, the SBT held 12 stakeholder engagement sessions.