Overview
The WSIAT Stakeholder event of May 25, 2022 consisted of:
- Chair Update – Rosemarie McCutcheon, Tribunal Chair
- Stakeholder Focus Groups – Julia Noble, Associate Counsel to the Chair
- Survey Update - Jessica Francis, Advisor
- E-Share Update – Nicole Bisson, Director, Appeals Services
- Recent Noteworthy Decisions – Sarah Schumacher, Counsel to the Chair
The summary below touches upon the highlights of each presentation. Please contact the Tribunal (event.coordinator@wst.gov.on.ca) to receive a copy of the accompanying power point presentations for more details.
Chair Update
Upcoming Stakeholder Training will occur on:
- Oct 12/22 – 2:30-4:00 or
- Oct 18/22 – 10:30-12:00
WSIAT Return to Office (RTO) and In person hearings:
WSIAT began graduated RTO on May 2, 2022 at 1 day per week. In addition a small number of in person hearings have been held:
- 2020 - 1
- 2021 – 5
- 2022 – 7 (3 heard, 4 pending)
WSIAT is working toward regional hearings slowly and gradually.
WSIAT Default Hearing Method:
- Interim measure - starting Autumn 2022 the default hearing method will change from teleconference to videoconference
- Change will be coordinated & gradual
- Will develop policies/procedures for determining appropriate hearing method (including in person)
- Probably another stakeholder event in September with more details
Upcoming Pilot Project:
- To expedite certain appeals
- More details in future
Adjournments:
- 2021 – had 182 adjournments
- 2022 – already have 115 to date
- Appreciate certain number of adjournments per year unavoidable, but at least 1/3 are avoidable
- Looking to minimize avoidable adjournments as much as possible