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December 03, 2024
Heard but not Seen at Tribunals Ontario

A new program introduced by Tribunals Ontario designed to improve access to justice for parties with no computer or internet service appears to be more of a mirage than a reality. The Mobile Access Terminal Service was announced in April 2023, and touted by Tribunals Ontario, the umbrella for 13 provincial tribunals, as a benefit […]

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December 14, 2022
Justice Denied: The Access to Justice Crisis at Tribunals Ontario

The crisis continues in some of Ontario’s most important adjudicative tribunals. Tribunals Ontario posted its 2021/22 Annual Report on its website in September 2022, documenting the state of its 14 tribunals as of March 31, 2022, the end of its fiscal year. This latest Annual Report demonstrates that several key Ontario adjudicative tribunals are failing […]

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March 10, 2022
Access to Justice in Crisis: Tribunals Ontario in 2022

Imagine if you will: If you applied to Tribunals Ontario for a remedy in any of these situations, you can now expect to wait months or even years for a hearing and final decision. In many cases, you will wait months for your tribunal to take even basic preliminary steps to move your application forward. […]

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March 29, 2021
The “Digital Transformation” at Tribunals Ontario: The Impact on Access to Justice

Synopsis In the continuing 2020/21 public health crisis, it has become important for all jurisdictions to explore innovative ways to deliver justice, including administrative justice. More specifically, the expanded use of digital or electronic hearings has become essential, and increasingly, is accepted as an important option to maintain after the pandemic, where it can promote […]

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December 01, 2020
Concern for the Future of the Social Benefits Tribunal

Tribunal Watch Ontario is deeply concerned about the rights of applicants for disability benefits to a fair and timely hearing, and the threat to the future of the Social Benefits Tribunal. The Ontario government’s approach to appointments has caused turmoil and serious delays at the SBT. There are signals that indicate the government’s imminent intention […]

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September 10, 2020
Concerns Arising from the Recent Associate Chair Appointment to the Social Benefits Tribunal of Ontario

Tribunal Watch Ontario is deeply concerned that the government has named as the head of the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT) someone who lacks the government’s own minimum qualifications for the position. As the new Associate Chair of the Tribunal, Stacy Ferguson is responsible for overseeing and leading its adjudication, mediations, and day to day operations […]