Ontario Courts & Tribunals

Small Claims Court

Individuals and businesses with monetary disputes

• Unpaid invoices / contracts
• Security deposit disputes
• Damage claims
• Debt collection

File a Plaintiff's Claim (Form 7A). The defendant has 20 days to dispute. A Settlement Conference is scheduled, then Trial if unresolved.

Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)

Landlords and tenants in Ontario

• Eviction applications (L1–L9)
• Tenant applications (T1–T6)
• Rent arrears
• Maintenance disputes

File the appropriate application online via tribunalsontario.ca. The Board issues a Notice of Hearing. Mediation or hearing follows.

Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)

Anyone who has experienced discrimination in housing, employment or services

• Workplace discrimination
• Harassment based on protected ground
• Housing refusal
• Service discrimination

File an Application (Form 1) within one year of the incident. A response is filed. Mediation then hearing if unresolved.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

Workers injured on the job in Ontario

• Work injury claims
• Benefit denials or reductions
• Return-to-work disputes
• NEL assessments

Report the injury, file a claim with WSIB. If denied, you can appeal to the WSIB Appeals Branch and then to the WSIAT.

Ontario Court of Justice — Provincial Offences

Anyone charged under Ontario provincial statutes

• Highway Traffic Act tickets
• Stunt driving
• Liquor Licence Act
• Environmental offences

Option to dispute (trial) or request a meeting with the prosecutor. File a Notice of Intention to Appear within 15 days of the offence.

Superior Court of Justice

Parties in larger civil, family, or criminal matters

• Civil claims over $35,000
• Family court proceedings
• Injunctions
• Estate disputes

Governed by Rules of Civil Procedure. Requires a Statement of Claim, Defence, Examinations for Discovery, Pre-trial, and Trial.

Consent and Capacity Board (CCB)

Persons subject to involuntary psychiatric treatment or capacity assessments

• Involuntary psychiatric holds
• Treatment consent disputes
• Capacity findings (POA)
• Guardianship challenges

Application or automatic review hearing. Hearings are held quickly (within 7 days for some matters).

Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT)

Recipients of Ontario Works or ODSP who have been denied, reduced, or suspended

• ODSP denial or reduction
• Ontario Works overpayment
• Eligibility disputes
• Asset / income decisions

File an appeal within 30 days of receiving the decision. Internal review first, then SBT hearing.

Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT)

Individuals disputing government licensing decisions or insurance benefits

• Statutory Accident Benefits (SABS)
• Liquor/Cannabis licensing
• New home warranty (Tarion) disputes
• Impounded vehicle appeals

File a Notice of Appeal with the Tribunal. A case conference is scheduled to narrow issues, followed by a hearing.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT)

Workers or employers appealing final WSIB decisions

• Final entitlement appeals
• Return to work disputes
• Employer classification
• Occupational disease claims

File a Notice of Appeal within six months of the final WSIB decision. Mediation or a formal hearing follows.

Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB)

Employees, unions, and employers in provincially regulated workplaces

• Unfair labour practices
• Union certification
• Construction industry grievances
• Employment Standards Act appeals

File an application or appeal. A Board Officer may attempt settlement. If unresolved, a hearing before a Vice-Chair occurs.

Ontario Court of Appeal

Parties appealing decisions from Superior Court or the Ontario Court of Justice

• Civil and criminal appeals
• Family law appeals
• Constitutional challenges
• Review of lower court errors

File a Notice of Appeal. Prepare an Appeal Book and Compendium. Oral arguments are heard by a panel of three judges.

Assessment Review Board (ARB)

Property owners disputing MPAC assessments or municipal taxes

• Residential property valuation
• Commercial tax classification
• Farm property assessments
• Exemption disputes

File an appeal by the deadline (usually March 31). Mandatory disclosure of evidence follows, then a hearing or settlement.

Child and Family Services Review Board (CFSRB)

Families and children involved with Children's Aid Societies

• Removal of children from care
• Refusal of adoption
• Complaints about CAS services
• School expulsion appeals

File an application for review. The Board determines if it has jurisdiction and may hold a hearing to review the CAS decision.

Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC)

Police officers or complainants appealing disciplinary decisions

• Police misconduct appeals
• Disciplinary hearing reviews
• Police service budget disputes
• Abolishment of police forces

File a Notice of Appeal within 30 days. The Commission reviews the record of the lower hearing and may hear new evidence.

Fire Safety Commission (FSC)

Property owners appealing orders from Fire Marshals or inspectors

• Fire code violation orders
• Building closure orders
• Installation requirements
• Safety equipment disputes

File an appeal of the inspector's order. A hearing is held to determine if the order should be confirmed, modified, or rescinded.

Animal Care Review Board (ACRB)

Animal owners appealing orders or seizures by Animal Welfare Services

• Seizure of livestock or pets
• Compliance orders
• Cost of care disputes
• Revocation of keep orders

File an appeal within 10 days of an order or seizure. The Board holds an expedited hearing to ensure animal welfare and owner rights.

Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB)

Patients or practitioners appealing decisions from health colleges

• Complaints about doctors/nurses
• Registration denials
• Inadequacy of investigations
• Conduct review appeals

Request a review of a College's committee decision. The Board reviews the investigation process and reasonableness of the result.

Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)

Developers, municipalities, and citizens disputing land-use decisions

• Zoning by-law appeals
• Official Plan amendments
• Expropriation compensation
• Environmental protection orders

File an appeal with the Tribunal. A Case Management Conference is held to discuss issues and mediation, followed by a formal hearing.

Financial Services Tribunal (FST)

Individuals or companies appealing decisions from FSRA

• Pension plan disputes
• Credit union regulation
• Insurance provider licensing
• Loan and trust company appeals

File a Request for Hearing within the statutory deadline. The Tribunal holds a hearing to review the regulator's decision.

Ontario Securities Commission (OSC)

Market participants, investors, and companies in the securities industry

• Securities fraud allegations
• Insider trading investigations
• Registration of market participants
• Takeover bid disputes

Enforcement proceedings begin with a Statement of Allegations. Hearings are held before a panel of Commissioners.

Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal

Farmers, food processors, and rural residents

• Drainage Act appeals
• Farm practices protection
• Marketing board disputes
• Agricultural land-use decisions

File an appeal of a local or provincial order. The Tribunal conducts a hearing to resolve the agricultural dispute.

Divisional Court (Superior Court of Justice)

Parties seeking to overturn tribunal decisions or small claims orders

• Judicial review of LTB decisions
• Appeals of HRTO orders
• Small Claims appeals over $3,500
• Review of government actions

File an Application for Judicial Review or a Notice of Appeal. Matters are typically heard by a panel of three judges.

Health Services Appeal and Review Board (HSARB)

Patients or providers appealing health funding or service decisions

• OHIP out-of-country funding
• Hospital privilege disputes
• Long-term care placement
• Nursing home licensing

File a Request for Review. The Board conducts an independent hearing to review the ministry or hospital decision.

Ontario Parole Board (OPB)

Individuals serving provincial sentences in Ontario jails

• Parole eligibility
• Early release applications
• Revocation of parole
• Conditional release reviews

Application or automatic review. The Board holds a hearing at the correctional institution to assess risk and rehabilitation.

Ontario Special Education Tribunal (OSET)

Parents appealing school board decisions regarding special education

• IPRC placement appeals
• Special education program disputes
• School board review challenges
• Identification of exceptionality

File a Notice of Appeal with the Tribunal. A hearing is scheduled where the board's decision is reviewed against the Education Act.