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Updates to Human Rights Tribunal of Rules of Procedure: Tribunals Ontario’s Practice of Audio Recording Hearings
In July 2024, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) will begin audio recording its hearings. The audio recordings will be used for internal quality assurance purposes, in accordance with applicable legislative requirements.
The HRTO is consulting on updates to its Rules of Procedure as follows:
| 3.7 | The Tribunal may record an in-person or electronic hearing. Where a hearing is recorded the recording does not form part of the Tribunal's record of proceedings including any record filed in respect of an application made under the Judicial Review Procedures Act. Recordings are for internal Tribunal use only and are not available to the parties or to the public. |
| 3.8 | A party who wishes to record a hearing must request permission from the Tribunal at least 10 days before the hearing. A self-recording or transcription of such recording may not be publicized or used for any purpose other than in the proceeding before the Tribunal. Recordings and/or transcriptions made by a party do not form part of the Tribunal’s record of proceedings including any record filed in respect of an application made under the Judicial Review Procedures Act. A party who records a hearing must provide a copy of the recording to all other parties, and upon request, to the Tribunal, at no cost to the other parties or the Tribunal. |
| 3.9 | A party who wishes to retain a court reporter for a hearing may do so if they advise the Tribunal and the other parties, in writing, at least 10 days before the hearing. The party who retains the court reporter is responsible for the full cost of the services of the court reporter. The party that has retained the court reporter must normally have transcripts produced and provide copies to the Tribunal and the other parties at its own expense. The Tribunal may waive this requirement or make directions about the date the transcript must be produced. The official transcript will normally be considered part of the Tribunal’s record of proceedings and be included in the record filed in respect of an application made under the Judicial Review Procedures Act. |
These updates are required to support an operational change, as a result of Tribunals Ontario’s practice of audio recording hearings.
The Landlord and Tenant Board, Social Benefits Tribunal and Ontario Parole Board have been recording their hearings for many years. Starting July 1, the Animal Care Review Board, Assessment Review Board, Child and Family Services Review Board, Custody Review Board, Fire Safety Commission, Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Licence Appeal Tribunal and Ontario Special Education Tribunal will record their hearings as well.
Individuals and stakeholders can submit their feedback in writing to HRTO.registrar@ontario.ca. Please mention “HRTO Consultation” in the subject of your email.
The consultation will be open for two weeks, from May 7 to May 20, 2024.
The current HRTO Rules of Procedure is available on HRTO’s website.