Public Appointments
The Toronto Licensing Tribunal is composed of seven citizen members. Hearings are held weekly, on Thursdays, with matters being heard by panels of three. All hearings are set to commence at 9:30 a.m. and continue until approximately 4:30 p.m., with a break for lunch. Members must be prepared to commit themselves to the matters at hand; hearings cannot be interrupted by telephone calls or other business.
On occasion, special hearings and multi-day hearings may be held, with members required to attend as necessary. Notice of such hearings would be given in advance. An individual member should anticipate attending 20 - 30 hearings per year.
Approximately every four months, members will be contacted by the administrator for their availability in order that panels can be constituted for upcoming hearings.
As well, members may, from time to time, be canvassed to substitute for another member who becomes unavailable to attend on a scheduled date. In order for substitution arrangements to be made, members must advise the Administrator as soon as they become aware of a hearing for which they are scheduled but not able to attend.
On an ongoing basis, it is helpful for the administrator to be informed whenever any member knows he or she will be absent and unable to attend or substitute on any particular hearing date.
The Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body that adjudicates on matters referred to it by the City's Municipal Licensing & Standards (ML&S) Division. Applicants who are denied a license by ML&S may request a hearing before the Tribunal by completing a Request for Hearing application.
ML&S licenses taxicab drivers and owners, tow truck drivers and owners, driving instructors and other mobile businesses, as well as stationary businesses such as restaurants and body rub parlours. The Tribunal conducts hearings and adjudicates on whether a licence should be issued, refused, suspended, revoked or have conditions placed upon it. The Tribunal conducts itself in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act and its members are bound by the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Decisions of the Tribunal may be the subject of an Application for Judicial Review through the Ontario Divisional Court. A comprehensive written report outlining Reasons for Decision may be requested by licensees or their solicitors, and must be provided in a timely manner. As well, all decisions made by the Tribunal must be provided to the City in written format (to Planning and Transportation for mobile licences; and to the appropriate Community Council for stationary licences).
Members 'seized' (having heard testimony) of an adjourned matter must continue to hear the case until the item is finalized. Until a decision is rendered, members seized of an item are not to discuss the case with staff, applicants and licensees or their representatives, or with any Tribunal Member who is not involved in the matter.
As required by the Municipal Code (Chapter 545 - Licensing), all Tribunal hearings are recorded verbatim by a court reporter. As well, there will be times when interpreters are present to assist applicants and licensees during their testimony and throughout the proceedings.
This position requires a commitment from each member to expend the time necessary for preparation and in-depth hearings. A single matter may necessitate hearing testimony from not only the applicant or licensee, but also from a number of civilian and City staff witnesses, all of which is done under oath and is subject to cross-examination.
To help you decide if you will apply for a position on the Tribunal, it is suggested that you attend a hearing as an observer. Take a look at the schedule of hearing dates; hearings are held Thursdays, commencing 9:30 a.m., in the Council Chamber on the main floor at the East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Avenue, Toronto.
Members are required to successfully complete SOAR (Society of Ontario Arbitrators and Regulators) training within six months of being appointed.
Upcoming appointments are generally posted on the City's website.
Check this website periodically for updates on the recruitment process or posting of specific vacancies.
For general information, call: 311
TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
If you want to be notified when we begin advertising Board positions, send your e-mail/mailing address to Nominations staff at clerk@toronto.ca.
Notice to people writing or making presentations to the Toronto Licensing Tribunal
The City of Toronto Act, 2006, the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 545 and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Section 27 authorize the City of Toronto to collect any personal information in your written and verbal communication or presentation to the Toronto Licensing Tribunal. The City and the Tribunal collects this information to enable it to make informed decisions on the relevant issue(s).
All Tribunal sessions are audio recorded.
Tribunal decisions about each hearing will be published on the City's website.
Questions about the collection of this information may be directed to the Supervisor, Toronto Licensing Tribunal, Court Services, 850 Coxwell Ave., Toronto, ON M4C 5R1, 416-392-3072.
