The Local Appeal Body Nominating Panel recommends that:

1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Toronto Local Appeal Body, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office commencing December 13, 2016 and ending on December 13, 2020, and until successors are appointed:

- Ian Lord, as Chair

- Susan Bryson

- Gillian Burton

- Sabnavis Gopikrishna

- Laurie McPherson

- Sophia Ruddock

- Ted Yao

Candidate's biographies:

Susan Bryson

Susan Bryson is an adjudicator for the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario and Chair of its Review Committee. She prosecuted discipline cases for The Law Society of Upper Canada and, prior to that, she was a civil litigator with a Toronto law firm. Ms. Bryson has also taught advocacy for the Bar Admission Course. She is on the executive of the Public Sector Lawyers Section of the Ontario Bar Association, and holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning.

Gillian Burton

Gillian Burton has been a public sector lawyer for most of her career, with long experience in tribunal practice. She chaired the Residential Rental Standards Board in the Ministry of Housing, provided counsel services to several Ontario Ministries, and to the Ontario Municipal Board as well as the Assessment Review Board. Recently she chaired a panel of the Committee of Adjustment, acquiring in-depth knowledge of the subject matter of appeals to the Local Appeal Body.

Sabnavis Gopikrishna

Sabnavis Gopikrishna is the Executive Director of The Housing Help Centre, a non-profit organization which helps tenants access and sustain habitable housing. His passion for community building and planning has resulted in his volunteering for many non-profit organizations. He was formerly a Member of the City of Toronto’s Committee of Adjustment and was appointed in 2014 by the Province of Ontario to the Board of Directors of the Central East Local Health Integration Network.

Ian Lord

Ian Lord is recognized as one of Canada's leading counsel, litigators, educators and facilitators in dispute resolution involving land development problems. Since 1977, Ian has paralleled his legal practice related to municipal planning and development approvals with its teaching at Ryerson University, York University and through continuing education programs of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. In 2014, Ian restricted his practice to advancing mediation in municipal dispute resolution.

Laurie McPherson

Laurie McPherson is a Professional Planner with over 30 years experience. She began her career as a planner with the City of Etobicoke in 1982 and became the Director of Policy and Research from 1991 until 1998. She was with Bousfields Inc., a prominent Toronto planning and urban design firm, from 1999 to 2016. She is active in the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and has extensive experience in working with the public and appearing before the Ontario Municipal Board.

Sophia Ruddock

Sophia Ruddock was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995 and has over 20 years of experience practicing before various administrative tribunals and agencies. Ms. Ruddock has also organized and taught a number of workshops on human rights and health law issues. She is very active in her son's school as a member of the School Advisory Committee and has served on numerous community boards and committees, in various capacities, including acting as Chair.

Ted Yao

Ted Yao, a descendent of a Chinese head-tax payer, has been a lawyer adjudicator for the Law Society Tribunal since 2012. He was an in-house municipal lawyer for several GTA municipalities, including the City of Toronto. Mr. Yao was a full time member of the Ontario Municipal Board for over a decade. Subsequently, he has worked in private practice. Recently he has served on tribunals in Vaughan and Toronto, including chairing Toronto's first Sign Variance Committee.

The Local Appeal Body Nominating Panel must recommend one candidate to City Council for appointment to the Toronto Local Appeal Body following the withdrawal of a candidate who is currently being recommended for appointment.