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FAQs

Below is a list of some of our most frequently asked questions. For more information, please review the Tribunal Guides and Rules of Practice and Procedure.

If you have further questions regarding the appeal processes, you may wish to contact our Citizen Liaison.

I received notice from an approval authority/my municipality of a decision I don’t agree with — can I file an appeal?

The notice of the decision you wish to appeal will indicate the appeals process. You may also refer to the relevant legislation and appeal form for additional guidance.

How can I file an objection, appeal or application for a hearing?

To file an appeal, you must notify the authority that issued the decision or the Ontario Land Tribunal directly in writingby e-file or the appeal form (submitted via email or mail)and outline the reasons for your case under the relevant legislation. You are expected to complete the appeal on the e-file portal or using the A1 appeal form available on the forms page and submit it to the proper authority as set out in the legislation. You may refer to the relevant legislation, appeal form, and Notice of the decision you wish to appeal for guidance regarding where to file your appeal.

Some appeals are filed directly with the Ontario Land Tribunal. These appeals can be filed using the e-file portal or by completing the A1 Appeal Form. When filing an appeal directly with the Ontario Land Tribunal using the A1 Appeal Form, you are required to submit the appeal form and initiating documents electronically in accordance with Rule 5.1 of the OLT Rules, unless a statute or the OLT Rules provide for other methods. In most circumstances, an appeal, notice of objection, or application for a hearing must also be served on the authority that made the decision that you wish to appeal (e.g., the clerk of the municipality that made the decision).

Notices of appeal or objection must clearly set out valid reasons.

Please note that the Tribunal conducts administrative screening of appeals to identify whether they were filed on time and in accordance with statutory requirements. The Tribunal can refuse to process an objection, appeal or application if it finds that the documents filed to initiate the proceeding are incomplete, filed without a fee, or are otherwise not in compliance with its Rules.

Learn more about “Filing an Objection, Appeal or Application” in our Appeal Guide.

I filed an appeal — why haven’t I heard anything?

If you filed directly with the municipality or other approval authority (the legislation directs where an appeal is to be filed), the appeal will be forwarded to the OLT for processing. This may take a number of weeks, depending on the volume of appeals received at a given time. Once the appeal has been processed, you will receive a letter from the OLT acknowledging your appeal, including information on your assigned Case Coordinator.

When will my hearing be scheduled?

The OLT strives to schedule hearing events as quickly and efficiently as possible; however, scheduling depends on a number of factors, such as the length of time required for the hearing, the complexity of the issue and the Tribunal calendar availability.

Why did I receive a notice from the OLT?

You may have received notice of an appeal or upcoming hearing event if an appeal has been filed involving a property in your neighbourhood. In some cases, residents within a certain radius of the property address related to the appeal will receive notice of the OLT’s hearing. You are not obligated to attend if you are not a party to or are otherwise involved in the proceedings.

I heard an appeal was filed with the OLT — how do I find out more information on the appeal?

Please visit our Case Status Service for information on active and recently closed cases, including information on upcoming hearing events and issued decisions.

For more information regarding a specific case, please contact the Case Coordinator assigned to the case.

I am concerned about an appeal before the OLT — can I participate in the proceedings?

Those with an interest in the matter may be able to request party or participant status in the proceeding. The specific legislation under which the objection, appeal or application was initiated may set out certain conditions for a person to be granted status by the OLT to participate as a party or as a participant. A party or participant may choose to support the Appellant, support the decision being appealed, support the position of another party, or advance a different position.

Learn more about “Participating in a Hearing Event” in our Hearings Guide.

I heard a hearing event was happening regarding my municipality — how can I attend?

Most hearing events are open to the public and anyone can attend to watch, unless directed otherwise by the Member(s) pursuant to s. 9 of the Statutory Powers Procedure Act.

Please note that the Member can close all or part of a hearing event to the public in certain circumstances, such as where intimate financial or personal matters may be discussed. Mediation sessions are also confidential and not open to the public.

To find out the details for a hearing event, please search for the case on our Case Status Service. For hearing events that happen by teleconference or videoconference call, please contact the Case Coordinator for call-in details.

How can I submit evidence for the hearing?

If a person intends to refer to a document that is not in the Tribunal’s case file at the hearing, it is expected to be pre-filed electronically with the Tribunal at least 10 days before the date of the hearing unless otherwise specified in the Rules. Evidence should be sent electronically to the assigned Case Coordinator with all parties copied.

For additional instructions, please refer to the notice of the hearing event.

I missed the hearing — can you send me a recording or transcript of the hearing?

The Tribunal does not record or prepare minutes of its hearing events; however, you may wish to review the decision once it is issued. Issued decisions can be accessed on our “Decisions” page.

When will the decision be issued?

While many decisions are issued within 90 days of the hearing event, some matters may take longer, depending on the complexity of the issues.

Please note that a decision may include orders, motions, information regarding the next hearing event, or next steps. Multiple decisions and interim orders may be issued before a “final order” or final decision is issued.

I don’t agree with OLT’s decision – what can I do?

If you are a party, you may request the OLT to review its decision, under the authority of Section 23 of the Ontario Land Tribunal Act. The criteria for review are found in Rule 25 of the Tribunal Rules of Practice and Procedure. In some cases, a party may appeal a decision of the OLT to the Divisional Court, but only on a question of law.

Learn more about the “Decisions” in our Hearings Guide.