3. Follow the SBT rules
The Ontario Human Rights Commission has released their latest take on mandatory vaccines, passports and testing, here: http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/ohrc-policy-statement-covid-19-vaccine-mandates-and-proof-vaccine-certificates. In light of this update, and the new directives that the Province released a few weeks ago, we are in the process of updating our covid testing content. Please re-visit the site to access the updated content when it is available.
Question & Answer
How do I prepare for an OW hearing at the Social Benefits Tribunal?The (SBT) has detailed rules about appeals that you have to follow.
Rules about documents
There are rules about how you must prepare the documents that you create. And you must include a cover page that lists all of the documents that you file with the SBT.
You file your documents when you give them to the SBT and have followed the rules about how to do this.
These are 3 ways to file documents with the SBT:
- taking them or having someone else take them to the SBT head office
- sending them by mail
- faxing them to 416-326-5135, if you have no more than 30 pages
If you have more than 30 pages and you want to fax them, you have to ask the Registrar of the SBT if you can do this.
You must file your documents at least 20 days before your hearing.
You must also give copies of the documents to the OW office. To prove that you’ve done this, you fill out a Statement of Delivery (Form 7) and file it with the SBT.
Rules about witnesses
You’ll almost always be a witness at your hearing.
If you have other witnesses, you must give their names to the SBT and to the OW office.
You must do this at least 20 days before your hearing.
Keep copies
Keep a copy of everything you file with the SBT. And make sure you have proof of the date that you:
- file something with the SBT
- deliver something to the OW office
If you don’t follow the rules
If you don’t follow all of the rules, the SBT can refuse to:
- consider documents
- hear from a witness
- consider evidence
- consider your reasons for appealing
Even if you don’t follow the rules, the SBT may decide that they will still:
- look at your documents and evidence
- hear from your witnesses
But they do not have to do this. So, it’s very important to follow the rules if you can.
