Suppression of Tribunal Decisions (Social Benefits Tribunal)
I just want to make a note that no decisions of the Social Benefits Tribunal have been published since Dec. 16, 2015. It's May 26th, 2016.
Why did this happen? Stay tuned so I can tell you. I've made some inquiries and sent a formal complaint (See June 17th). I think this failure to publish is discrimination against a protected class of persons, namely public assistance recipients. While the government could end the claw back of child support today by a simple Minister's directive, they must go to the legislature to dissolve a Tribunal (ie suppressing decisions is a sign that they might). This niqab thrown over the public face of the SJTO is probably about government's loss at the SCC in Surdivall (just a thought :).
I think its appalling legal clinics are unable to access current Tribunal decisions. In case you're not aware of of the nature of SJTO appeals ...
Also, the City of Toronto's 'Appeals' page is under construction.
https://info.legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.com/pdf/perspec/1996-fall/1996-fall-8.pdf
Why did this happen? Stay tuned so I can tell you. I've made some inquiries and sent a formal complaint (See June 17th). I think this failure to publish is discrimination against a protected class of persons, namely public assistance recipients. While the government could end the claw back of child support today by a simple Minister's directive, they must go to the legislature to dissolve a Tribunal (ie suppressing decisions is a sign that they might). This niqab thrown over the public face of the SJTO is probably about government's loss at the SCC in Surdivall (just a thought :).
I think its appalling legal clinics are unable to access current Tribunal decisions. In case you're not aware of of the nature of SJTO appeals ...
From the Ontario Hansard on September 15, 2015:
"In my constituency office, we frequently receive calls from constituents who are dealing with the Landlord and Tenant Board, the WSIB or the Social Benefits Tribunal. All these agencies provide an avenue of last resort for people to deal with their disputes or appeals. Based on anecdotal evidence, nothing about these dispute resolution agencies is quick and easy. Constituents are easily waiting six months to a year for their cases to be heard and for a decision to be rendered."
"I will cite two examples. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal saw a doubling of its caseload between 2010 and 2014, resulting in significant processing delays for workers seeking WSIB compensation. The Social Benefits Tribunal has a nine-month wait period for a decision. Over half the appeals in the Social Benefits Tribunal regarding disability support are granted, meaning that a large number of disabled Ontarians, whose finances are already strained by a loss of income and medical costs, have to wait nine months in order to receive assistance that they are entitled to."
"Her mother cannot afford to pay. Stephanie can't wait for the Social Benefits Tribunal, which she has been sent to, to give her a hearing date. The minister has the authority to make the right decision in order to help Stephanie now, before she becomes worse. Will this minister immediately order the ODSP to pay the $220 for Stephanie's tests so she doesn't turn blind while she's waiting for reviews?"
Also, the City of Toronto's 'Appeals' page is under construction.
https://info.legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.com/pdf/perspec/1996-fall/1996-fall-8.pdf
The limits of open justice https://t.co/uQ9tvUV4Ob— Karen (@mywindyroom) May 25, 2016
Why Canadian governments & courts need to adopt open data policies for better access to public legal information https://t.co/tn1BEKVuWI— Karen (@mywindyroom) May 25, 2016
The Relationship Between the Courts and the Media by the Chief Justice of @SCC_eng https://t.co/3xLGApbFdo— Karen (@mywindyroom) May 25, 2016
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