Toronto Local Appeal Body
40 Orchard View Boulevard, Suite 211
Toronto, Ontario M4B 1R9
Attention: Tyra Dorsey, Acting Supervisor, Tribunal Operations
RE: TLAB Public Business Meeting, November 16, 2021 – Item 33.1 TLAB Panel Training and Education Session.
Dear Chair Dino Lombardi and Members of TLAB,
This is to provide our comments and suggestions with respect to the above noted agenda item, which will be held In Camera, as permitted by the TLAB’s Procedural By-law 1-2017.
FoNTRA commends the TLAB in its efforts to promote and enhance public understanding and education regarding its mandate and role in the City’s Land Use Planning system. These efforts include Public Business Meetings, annual reporting to the Planning and Housing Committee, and publication of the Public Guide, and website. We recall for example a Public Business Meeting held in Scarborough on February 10, 2017 which was well attended by stakeholders, including RAs. The Meeting included presentation materials by Klaus Lehman, Zoning Section, City Planning, which were made publicly available, and which continue to be referred to by RAs.
We note that justice for Self-Represented Parties is a particular concern for tribunals such as the TLAB (and Committee of Adjustment)[1] and we would strongly encourage TLAB to ensure that it is addressing this matter in its Panel training and development program.
With respect to the upcoming Public Business Meeting, FoNTRA further requests:
- That the presentation material from City Planning and Urban Forestry staff be made publicly available, and
- That video segments of their presentations be made available on YouTube or other accessible video media.
Yours truly,
Geoff Kettel
Co-Chair, FoNTRA
Cathie Macdonald
Co-Chair, FoNTRA
Cc: Gregg Lintern, Chief Planner & Executive Director, City Planning Division
Kyle Knoeck, Acting Director, Zoning and Secretary-Treasurer, Committee of Adjustment, City Planning Division
Kerri Voumvakis, Director, Strategic Initiatives, Policy & Analysis, City Planning Division
Kim Statham, Director, Urban Forestry, Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division
FoSTRA
CORRA
[1](see infolink and checklist) of the Council of Canadian Tribunals (CCAT) related to self-represented parties.
“We are in an era where appearing without legal representation in tribunal settings is often the norm rather than the exception. As such, the ability of tribunals to serve as an effective, accessible forum for self-represented parties is an area of evolving concern. In 2006, the Canadian Judicial Council adopted the ‘Statement of Principles on Self-Represented Litigants and Accused Persons’, which articulated the responsibilities of participants in the justice system and principles for promoting rights of access and equal justice.”