HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL OF ONTARIO

B E T W E E N:

Kari Lawson, Kathryn Krome, Colette Cloutier, Tracy Zottarelli, Denis Pilon, Michel Perron, Sharon Hollywood, Darcy Shier, Suzanne Kennedy, Roger Foster, Walter Clement, Tyrone Lance, Debra Lance, and Marwan El Jamal

Applicants

-and-

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario as Represented by the Minister of Community and Social Services

Respondent

A N D B E T W E E N:

John Graham and Lesley Graham

Applicants

-and-

County of Renfrew – Ontario Works

Respondent

INTERIM DECISION

Adjudicator: David A. Wright

Date: June 4, 2010

2008-00681-I; 2009-01111-I; 2009-01112-I; 2009-01774-I; 2009-01209-I; 2009-01256-I; 2009-01289-I; 2009-01438-I; 2009-01874-I; 2009-02979-I; 2009-03304-I; 2010-04710-I

Citation: 2010 HRTO 1280

Indexed as: Lawson v. Ontario (Community and Social Services)

[1] These are Applications filed under s. 34 of the Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, as amended, that relate to the special diet allowance under Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program. In previous decisions, the Tribunal has decided to treat them in accordance with the “lead case” procedure established for a large number of Commission-referred complaints regarding the same issue: see, for example, Ball v. Ontario (Community and Social Services), 2010 HRTO 876.

[2] Counsel for the Ontario Human Rights Commission advised the Tribunal orally at the hearing of a request in the lead cases on May 28, 2010 that it sought leave to intervene in these Applications. The respondent Ministry of Community and Social Services consents to the Commission’s intervention.

[3] In these particular circumstances, given the related litigation involving these issues, the Tribunal waived the requirement for the Commission to deliver and file Requests to Intervene.

[4] If any party objects to the Ontario Human Rights Commission being granted leave to intervene in these Applications, it shall write to the Tribunal, with copies to the other parties, setting out its reasons for opposing the request within two weeks of the date of this Interim Decision. If no submissions are received, the Commission’s request is granted.

Dated at Toronto, this 4th day of June, 2010.

”signed by”______________

David A. Wright

Interim Chair