TO: Landlord and Tenant Board Stakeholders
FROM: Karen Restoule, Associate Chair and Stephen Mills-Hughes on behalf of Lynn Dicaire, Registrar
DATE: August 13, 2021
SUBJECT: Operational Updates
The purpose of this memo is to provide you with operational updates at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).
Scheduling
As announced in our May 14, 2021 scheduling plan memo, at the beginning June we implemented a scheduling plan as we worked on prioritizing mediation services, reducing delays and enhancing the quality of dispute resolution services at the LTB. As part of this, we launched a full Zoom videoconference platform to conduct proceedings, began conducting multiple tenant case management hearings in one hearing block, began full day hearings for L2 applications to allow landlords and tenants more time for mediation, and created Zoom breakout rooms for parties to meet privately with legal counsel.
We recognize there have been challenges with our scheduling plan, in particular the sign-in process. Through your feedback, and feedback from LTB staff and adjudicators, we implemented several changes over the past few weeks to improve the hearing room experience, which have resulted in a timelier sign-in process. As always, we continue to welcome your feedback as it is instrumental in helping us improve processes.
Looking forward, we would like to advise you of the following as it relates to the LTB’s hearing schedule:
Effective August 23, 2021 we will no longer be routinely scheduling Case Management Hearings (CMH) for tenant and most landlord applications. This change has been made to ensure the timely resolution of applications and to avoid the delays being incurred between the CMH and merits hearing.
For the weeks of August 23 and September 13, the LTB’s hearing schedule focusses on urgent matters as tribunal-wide training for staff and adjudicators takes place.
For the remainder of the summer, hearings of all types have been scheduled.
As we move into the late summer and early fall, the LTB will continue with a robust hearing schedule which focusses on matters that had previously been adjourned.
Submitting Evidence and L1/L9 Update Sheet
Effective immediately, all hearing evidence/submissions and L1/L9 update sheets must be sent to LTB.Evidence@ontario.ca. Please specify the file number, hearing date and what is being submitted in the subject line.
For example:
File # EAL-17402-21, July 20, 2021, Evidence
File # TST-17402-21, July 20, 2021, L1/L9 update sheet
As a reminder, evidence and submissions must be submitted at least seven days before the hearing.
Reply evidence and submissions must be submitted at least five days before the hearing.
The L1/L9 update sheet must be submitted at least five days before the hearing.
For more information on disclosure obligations and how to submit evidence to the LTB, please review the LTB’s updated Practice Direction on Evidence which addresses how parties to an LTB proceeding must format and serve the LTB and the other parties with copies of their evidence, and how the LTB deals with evidence.
Rescheduling
We’d also like to remind you of the LTB’s rescheduling policy.
If you are submitting a request to reschedule one or more hearings for any reason, you must comply with LTB Rule of Procedure 21 which requires that a request be made at least five business days before the hearing and be on consent of all the parties.
Per Rule 21, you must submit a separate Request to Reschedule on consent for each file you wish to reschedule. When submitting your request, please complete the form in full with email addresses and unavailable dates for all parties. The LTB will review the request and determine if it will be granted. You must be prepared to attend and speak to your request at the scheduled hearing if you have not received notification that your request to reschedule has been granted.
If you have been scheduled for multiple hearings on the same day, please inform the moderator and/or adjudicator on the hearing day that you have matters in another virtual hearing block. Our moderators will be making efforts to first sign in those representatives who are scheduled in multiple blocks and note this for the adjudicator. However, it is up to the LTB adjudicator presiding at the hearing to determine the order in which the matters will be heard.
If you have any questions, please contact us at LTB@ontario.ca . Once again, thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue to adjust our operations.
Sincerely,
Karen Restoule
Associate Chair
Stephen Mill-Hughes, on behalf of Lynn Dicaire,
Registrar
