Donna Pollard v. Dafco Filtration Group Corporation and Habib (Bob) Assaad, 2010 HRTO 1556

HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL OF ONTARIO

B E T W E E N:

Donna Pollard Applicant

-and-

Dafco Filtration Group Corporation and Habib (Bob) Assaad Respondents

INTERIM DECISION

Adjudicator: Ken Bhattacharjee Date: July 19, 2010 Citation: 2010 HRTO 1556 Indexed as: Pollard v. Dafco Filtration Group

1The purpose of this Interim Decision is to address the applicant’s representative’s request for an adjournment of the July 20 and 21, 2010 hearing dates.

2On March 10, 2010, the Tribunal issued a Confirmation of Hearing Notice to the parties, which informed them that the hearing is scheduled for July 20 and 21. The Notice also informed them that requests for adjournments will be dealt with in accordance with the Tribunal’s Practice Direction: Scheduling of Hearings and Mediations, Rescheduling Requests, and Request for Adjournments. The Practice direction in effect at that time provided that requests to reschedule a hearing must be made within five days (now ten days) of receiving the Confirmation of Hearing Notice, and requests for adjournments thereafter will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances, such as the illness of a party, witness or representative.

3The applicant’s representative sent the Tribunal a letter on July 15, 2010, which requested that the hearing dates be adjourned for up to six months because he is unable to contact the applicant by telephone or mail. He speculated that she may be ill, but did not provide any further details or documentary evidence, such as a medical note.

4The applicant’s request is denied. The applicant’s representative’s inability to contact the applicant is not an “extraordinary” circumstance, which justifies delaying the hearing.

5If the applicant does not attend the hearing on July 20, 2010, the Tribunal may dismiss her Application as abandoned.