Business Meeting No.6

Meeting Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Email: tlab@toronto.ca
Location: Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive Toronto, Ontario M1P 4N7
Room: Council Chamber
Chair: Ian Lord

Contact: Hsing Yi Chao
Phone: 416-338-2734

  • Declaration of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
    None declared
  • Confirmation of Minutes – April 19th, 2017
    Motion to adopt Minutes from April 19th, 2017 moved by Panel Member G. Burton and seconded by Panel Member S. Gopikrishna.  (Carried)

TLAB 6.1                              ACTION                              ADOPTED


Panel Decision

The Toronto Local Appeal Body adopted the final draft of the Rules of Practice and Procedure. The Toronto Local Appeal Body deferred consideration of the Ontario Bar Association correspondence with the intention of bringing it forward at the next Business Meeting.

Origin

Final Draft of Rules of Practice and Procedure for the Toronto Local Appeal Body

Decision Advice and Other Information

The Toronto Local Appeal Body received a deputation from Wendy Walberg, City Solicitor, spoken to by Nathan Muscat, City Solicitor, regarding the Draft Rules of Practice and Procedure. Nathan Muscat relayed concerns expressed by members of the Planning Practice Group, Planning and Administrative Tribunal Law regarding the deadlines for filing materials proposed in the Rules of Practice and Procedure.

Following the deputation, Nathan Muscat responded to inquiries from the Panel Members about the procedures currently followed by City staff when a Committee of Adjustment decision is appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.

The Toronto Local Appeal Body voted to defer consideration of the Ontario Bar Association correspondence with the intention of bringing it forward at the following June 14, 2017 Business Meeting to allow for a satisfactory discussion of the concerns identified in their correspondence.

Summary

Final Draft of Rules of Practice and Procedure for the Toronto Local Appeal Body Panel Members to adopt.

Background Information and Additional Resource

Toronto Local Appeal Body – Rules of Practice and Procedure

(May 2nd, 2017) Correspondence from City of Toronto Legal Services

(May 2nd, 2017) Correspondence from Ontario Bar Association’s Municipal Law Section

 

Motions

1. Motion to hear deputation from City Solicitor Nathan Muscat moved by Panel Member G. Burton and seconded by Panel Member S. Ruddock. (Carried)

2. Motion to receive correspondence from City of Toronto Legal Services moved by Panel Member L. McPherson and seconded by Panel Member S. Bryson. (Carried)

3. Motion to receive correspondence from Ontario Bar Association moved by Panel Member S. Ruddock and seconded by Panel Member S. Gopikrishna. (Carried)

4. Motion to defer consideration of the Ontario Bar Association correspondence with the intention of bringing it forward at the next Business Meeting moved by Panel Member G. Burton and seconded by S. Ruddock. (Carried)

5. Motion to adopt the Toronto Local Appeal Body’s Rules of Practice and Procedure moved by Panel Member S. Bryson and seconded by Panel Member S. Gopikrishna. (Carried)

TLAB 6.2                              ACTION                              ADOPTED


Panel Decision

The Toronto Local Appeal Body adopted the final draft of the Toronto Local Appeal Body forms.

Origin

Final Draft of Toronto Local Appeal Body Forms 1-18

Summary

Final Draft of Toronto Local Appeal Body Forms for the Toronto Local Appeal Body Panel Members to adopt.

Background Information

Toronto Local Appeal Body – Forms

Form 1 – Notice of Appeal

Form 2 – Notice of Hearing

Form 3 – Applicant’s Disclosure

Form 4 – Notice of Intention (Election) to be a Party or Participant

Form 5 – Authorized Representative

Form 6 – Acknowledgement of Expert’s Duty

Form 7 – Notice of Motion

Form 8 – Notice of Response to Motion

Form 9 – Notice of Reply to Response to Motion

Form 10 – Affidavit

Form 11 – Request for Summons

Form 12 – Witness Statement

Form 13 – Participant’s Statement

Form 14 – Expert’s Witness Statement

Form 15 – Notice of Non-compliance

Form 16 – Notice of Proposed Dismissal

Form 17 – Notice of Mediation

Form 18 – Notice of Prehearing

 

Motions

1. Motion to adopt Forms 1-18 moved by Panel Member T. Yao and seconded by S. Ruddock. (Carried)

TLAB 6.3                              ACTION                              ADOPTED


Panel Decision

The Toronto Local Appeal Body adopted the final draft of the Procedural Bylaw

Origin

Final Draft of the Procedural Bylaw

Summary

Final Draft of the Procedural Bylaw for the Toronto Local Appeal Body Panel Members to adopt.

Background Information

Toronto Local Appeal Body – Procedure Bylaw

 

Motions

1. Motion to adopt Final Draft of Procedural Bylaw moved by Panel Member L. McPherson and seconded by T. Yao. (Carried)

TLAB 6.4                              ACTION                              ADOPTED


Panel Decision

The Toronto Local Appeal Body adopted the Public Guide with the amendments proposed by way of motions moved by Panel Member Ted Yao. The Toronto Local Appeal Body deferred consideration of item 6.4 (a) in the submission made by Panel Member Ted Yao.

The Toronto Local Appeal Body directed that page 16 of the Public Guide be amended to read:

What is an Authorized Representative?

If you are a party or participant, you may choose to be represented by an authorized representative. The duties of an authorized representative are to file and receive documents electronically on your behalf before the hearing in a timely fashion and act for you during the hearing. He or she will necessarily advise you on your rights and responsibilities, as well as draft, complete or revise your documents. Form 5 states that the TLAB will not permit an authorized representative to also give evidence at the hearing as a witness.

Who can be an Authorized Representative?

A lawyer, paralegal or other person, such as a friend, neighbour or relative, can be your authorized representative. If your authorized representative is not a lawyer or paralegal, he or she cannot take a fee from you for this service and must not be in the business of acting for persons at hearings, defined as no more than three times a year.

How do I give notice of my Authorized Representative?

The authorized representative must inform everyone involved including the TLAB that you have elected to act through an authorized representative. This can be done on the Notice of Appeal (Form 1) or by filing an Authorized Representative Form (Form 5) to the TLAB via email at tlab@toronto.ca. If authorization changes, the TLAB and all other parties must be notified by serving and filing a new Authorized Representative Form (Form 5).

The Toronto Local Appeal Body directed that page 23 of the Public Guide be amended to read:

What is the role of my Authorized Representative at the Hearing?

If you already have named an authorized representative, that person will assist you at the hearing by giving you advice, questioning the other side, and possibly summing up your case, based on the evidence presented. Even if the authorized person is not a paralegal or a lawyer, if the authorized representative is knowledgeable about the hearing process, this can make for a smoother hearing process.

What if I decide to act for myself at the hearing?

You should be prepared to do your own research into the facts and the process. Since it is expected that all materials should be filed in advance of the hearing, you should do your research early and serve an electronic copy of any Documents, Notices, or Witness Statements on all parties and the TLAB in accordance with the TLAB’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. Please see the section in this Guide “What are the Parties’ Responsibilities Prior to a Hearing?”

Once the hearing commences, you may present your case. This includes your spoken words under oath, during which time you may refer to any of the documents which have been filed. You would also call any witnesses, professional or non-professional, in support of your case.

If you are a party, you will also be permitted to question the other side’s witnesses, to obtain clarification and point out inconsistencies. This is not a time for presenting your own evidence, since when you ask questions you are not giving evidence under oath.

Finally, if you are a party, you will be permitted to sum up your case, based on all of the evidence presented.

Origin

Final Draft of the Public Guide

(May 1st, 2017) Submissions from Ted Yao, TLAB Panel Member, on amendments to Public Guide

Summary

The Toronto Local Appeal Body discussed the motions made by Panel Member Ted Yao regarding the language used in the Public Guide. The Appeal Body voted to defer consideration of item 6.4 (a) in the submission made by Panel Member Ted Yao until a future meeting.

Background Information

Toronto Local Appeal Body –  Public Guide

(May 1st, 2017) Submissions from Ted Yao, TLAB Panel Member, on amendments to Public Guide

 

Motions

1. Motion to adopt item 6.4 (b) in the submission made by T. Yao moved by Panel Member T. Yao and seconded by Panel Member I. Lord. (Carried)

2. Motion to adopt item 6.4 (c) in the submission made by T. Yao moved by Panel Member T. Yao and seconded by Panel Member L. McPherson. (Carried)

3. Motion to defer item 6.4 (a) in the submission made by Ted Yao moved by Panel Member T. Yao and seconded by Panel Member S. Gopikrishna. (Carried)

4. Motion to adopt the Public Guide for Publishing as amended moved by Panel Member G. Burton and seconded by Panel Member S. Gopikrishna.  (Carried)

TLAB 6.5                              DISCUSSED


Panel Decision

The Toronto Local Appeal Body Panel Members agreed that future meetings are to be scheduled to discuss:

  • Legal educational session(s) on Hearings and Motions;
  • Public meetings and notices on subjects requested for deputation and;
  • Setting a public meeting date in the New Year to hear deputations pertaining to the Rules and Forms.

Summary

The Toronto Local Appeal Body held discussions on scheduling meetings in the future for the purposes of:

  • Legal educational session(s) on Hearings and Motions;
  • Public meetings and notices on subjects requested for deputation and;
  • Setting a public meeting date in the New Year to hear deputations pertaining to the Rules and Forms.

Meeting Sessions

Session Date Session Type Start Time End Time Public or Closed Session
May 3rd, 2017 Morning 9:06 AM 11:24 AM Public
May 3rd, 2017 Recess 11:24 AM 11:42 AM
May 3rd, 2017 Morning 11:42 AM 11:59 AM Public

 

Attendance

Members were present for some or all of the time period indicated.

Date and Time Quorum Panel Members
May 3rd, 2017

9:06 AM to 11:24 AM

(Public Session)

Present Present: Ian Lord (Chair), Susan Bryson, Gillian Burton, Sabnavis Gopikrishna, Laurie McPherson, Sophia Ruddock, Ted Yao
May 3rd, 2017

11:42 AM to 11:59 AM

(Public Session)

Present Present: Ian Lord (Chair), Susan Bryson, Gillian Burton, Sabnavis Gopikrishna, Laurie McPherson, Sophia Ruddock, Ted Yao

Susan Garossino
Manager, Court Services

Russ Brownell
Policy PIanning and Project Advisor, Court Services

Gary Clarke
Supervisor, Court Services

Hsing Yi Chao
Secretary and A/Supervisor
Toronto Local Appeal Body, Court Services

Tammy Chong
Support Assistant
Toronto Local Appeal Body, Court Services

Tyra Dorsey
Support Assistant
Toronto Local Appeal Body, Court Services

Robert Keel
Summer Policy Student
Toronto Local Appeal Body, Court Services