Sean Weir, Executive Chair of Tribunals Ontario, issued the following statement in response to the Ombudsman’s Annual Report released on June 30, 2020:
“Having reviewed the Ombudsman’s Annual Report in detail, I welcome the update on the ongoing investigation into Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) delays. Tribunals Ontario and the LTB are fully cooperating in the Ombudsman’s investigation. I recognize the impact that service delays have on personal lives and businesses and our organization takes this issue seriously.
Shortly after my appointment as the Executive Chair of Tribunals Ontario on June 2, 2020, I made it a priority to meet with Mr. Dubé and reiterate my commitment to cooperate with the Ombudsman’s Office.
Karen Restoule who was the interim Executive Chair since March 2020, initiated steps to remedy the concerns at the LTB, which include an open dialogue with the Ombudsman.
Ms. Restoule is now the acting Associate Chair of the LTB and under her guidance the LTB has been able to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and continue proceedings for non-eviction matters through teleconference and written formats.
I have confidence in her leadership and our staff’s dedication to continue to transform the LTB to be responsive to the needs of landlords and tenants and to provide fair and efficient dispute resolution services.
Ensuring our tribunals are at full complement is a key priority. We are working closely with the government to ensure the LTB is positioned for success, and I am pleased to report we are making significant progress in recruiting LTB adjudicators.
Tribunals Ontario appreciates the Ombudsman’s efforts to identify improvements to our tribunal processes and will carefully review the proposed recommendations.”
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