Advocacy Services Tribunal Processes

What Are Tribunals?

Tribunals Are Entities With Quasi-Governmental Authority, Including Agencies, Bureaus, and Commissions, Empowered to Regulate Various Aspects of Societal Conduct.

Understanding the Powers and Procedures of Regulatory Tribunals Including Professional Licensing Regulators, and others.

Ontario has more than fifty administrative tribunals, each specializing in a particular area of social or economic affairs. These tribunals hold hearings and decide on disputes between an individual and a government official or between two or more parties.  The essential procedural requirements for all tribunals are set out in the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.22; however, each tribunal has a specific purpose and is governed by its enabling legislation.

Navigating the tribunal landscape is challenging because significant social developments result in legislative changes at a rapid pace.  Additionally, each tribunal may have an independent set of evidentiary requirements, rules, and procedures, and each tribunal enabling legislation may limit decision making powers.

Denali Paralegal Services may be available to advocate at administrative tribunal hearings proceeding within:

• The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario;
• The Assessment Review Board;
• The College of Chiropodists of Ontario;
• The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario;
• The College of Nurses of Ontario Discipline Committee;
• The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario;
• The College of Optometrists of Ontario;
• The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario;
• The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario;
• The College of Psychologists of Ontario;
• The Landlord and Tenant Board;
• The Law Society Tribunal;
• The Ontario College of Pharmacists Discipline Committee;
• The Ontario College of Teachers;
• The Ontario Fire Safety Commission;
• The Ontario Labour Relations Board;
• The Ontario Land Tribunal;
• The Ontario Licence Appeal Tribunal; and
• The Workplace Safety & Insurance Board.

Land Use & Municipal Matters

Issues related to land-use and municipal matters are heard and decided at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). Typically, this means matters such as official plans, zoning by-laws, subdivision plans, consents and minor variances, land compensations, development charges, electoral ward boundaries, municipal finances, aggregate resources and other issues assigned by numerous Ontario statutes.

In May 2017, the City of Toronto opted out of LPAT and created its own local appeal body called Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB). TLAB has jurisdiction for hearing Toronto-based appeals for minor variances and consent for the Committee of Adjustment's severance decisions.

Legislations that govern LPAT include:

• The Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13;
• The Aggregate Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.8;
• The Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, Chapter 27;
• The Expropriations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.26;
• The Consolidated Hearings Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.29;
• The Environmental Assessment, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.18; and
• The Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.18.

It is important to note that appearing before the LPAT can be challenging because strict adherence is required to the rules regarding the provision of notice under the Planning Act. Close attention is required to the conditions and requirements set out in the relevant statutory provisions. Failure to meet these conditions and requirements can be fatal to LPAT proceeding. It is imperative that you leave your matter in the professional hands of Denali Paralegal Services to navigate provisions of the relevant statutes at LPAT.