What’s New at the Tribunal 

Effective January 2008 Chisanga Puta-Chekwe is on leave from his duties as Chair of the Social Benefits Tribunal.  In his absence Frank Miclash has been appointed as acting Chair of the Tribunal.  Mr. Miclash has been a member of the Social Benefits Tribunal since October 1999.  Prior to joining the Tribunal he served as a Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for the riding of Kenora from 1987 to 1999. 

Social Benefits Tribunal Undergoes Internal Reorganization

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the appeal process, the Tribunal has undertaken an internal reorganization.  The Tribunal has created a new Appeal Resolution Unit, comprising a Manager and Appeal Resolution Officers.  The new Unit expands the case management services previously performed by the Tribunal’s Case Administrators and Client Services Representatives.  In this broader role, Appeal Resolution Officers work together with Case Administrators to ensure the effective and timely case management of appeals by identifying the most appropriate dispute resolution process - an oral hearing; an electronic hearing; a pre-hearing conference; or, an early resolution session.  [Read more]

Early Resolution Program

The Early Resolution Program provides parties to an appeal before the Social Benefits Tribunal with an early opportunity to try to resolve the appeal before the formal Tribunal hearing process begins.  Participating in an Early Resolution Opportunity session provides an opportunity for the parties to exchange and share information, in addition to fully resolving the issue(s).  For more information, please refer to Practice Direction 5 – Early Resolution Program.

Pre-Hearing Conferences

To ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place to provide for efficient and effective hearings, the Social Benefits Tribunal is in the process of adopting a new Practice Direction - Practice Direction 8 - dealing with Pre-Hearing Conferences. This Practice Direction describes the Tribunal’s new procedure to be followed for conducting a Pre-Hearing Conference in appeal cases filed with the Tribunal.  For more information, please refer to Practice Direction 8 – Pre-Hearing Conferences. [Read more]

Digital Recording of Hearings

In 2007 the Tribunal introduced digital recording of hearings on a trial basis. This pilot project tested the use of electronic recording as a method for fulfilling the Tribunal’s obligation under the legislation to record the oral evidence at a hearing.  The Tribunal has reviewed the practice and has determined that as a result of the poor audio quality of the recordings and inconsistent recording results that the Tribunal will not implement digital recording as a hearing practice.  Effective March 31, 2008 the Tribunal has discontinued digital recording of its hearings.

The New Contact Centre System

In our continuing effort to improve access to and the reliability of the service we provide to the public, the Social Benefits Tribunal has implemented a new telephone contact system.   [Read more]

Supreme Court of Canada rules that the Social Benefits Tribunal must now consider whether its legislation contravenes the Ontario Human Rights Code.

On Friday April 21, 2006, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in the case of Tranchemontagne v. Ontario (Director, Disability Support Program) 2006 SCC 14. The ruling of the Court confirms that the Ontario Social Benefits Tribunal (the "SBT") has jurisdiction to consider whether a provision of its legislation contravenes the Ontario Human Rights Code (the "Code"). [Read more]

Tribunal Procedure

In order to provide more information about the Tribunal’s procedures, the Tribunal issues Practice Directions and has also devised a Member Conduct Complaint Procedure.  In addition, the Tribunal issues an Annual Report each year.

From time to time there are changes in the Tribunal's procedures and practices and we encourage you to check the website frequently for news about these developments.

• Practice Direction 1 - Interim Assistance
• Practice Direction 2 - Reconsideration Requests
• Practice Direction 3 - Rules for Electronic Hearings
• Practice Direction 4 - Rescheduling of Hearings and Adjournments
• Practice Direction 5 - Early Resolution Program
• Practice Tips - Early Resolution Program 
• Practice Direction 6 - Procedure for Human Rights Issue or Challenge
• Practice Direction 7 - Recording Proceedings (Currently not applicable) 
• Practice Direction 8 - Pre-Hearing Conferences
• Member Conduct Complaint Procedure
• Annual Report 2006 - 2007 

Select Decisions of the Social Benefits Tribunal to Be Posted on Website

From time to time, the Social Benefits Tribunal intends to publish anonymized versions of interesting Tribunal decisions on its website for persons interested in learning more about Tribunal rulings regarding social assistance appeals.  These decisions will include those that may have an impact on the Tribunal’s process, or decisions that present or introduce a new or novel application of the law.  These decisions are provided as a public service only and are not to be relied upon as legal advice.

• 9910-07541R and 0005-04579