HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL OF ONTARIO
B E T W E E N:
Brian Ball and the Complainants Listed on Schedule “A” and Schedule “B” and Schedule “C”
Complainants
-and-
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Commission
-and-
Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario as Represented by the Minister of Community and Social Services
Respondent
A N D B ET 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 and Debra Lance
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: April 22, 2010
HR-1656-08 to HR-1692-08 HR-1732-08 to HR-1788-08 2008-00129-I; 2008-00240-I; 2008-00353-I; 2008-00559-I; 2008-00681-I; 2009-01111-I; 2009-01112-I; 2009-01774-I; 2009-01209-I; 2009-01256-I; 2009-01289-I; 2009-1438-I; 2009-01874-I; 2009-02979-I; 2009-03304-I
Citation: 2010 HRTO 876
Indexed as: Ball v. Ontario (Community and Social Services)
1This Interim Decision relates to these cases challenging the Special Diet Allowance under Ontario’s social assistance programs. It follows the Tribunal’s decision in the lead cases reported at 2010 HRTO 360. First, this Interim Decision makes an Order that reflects the agreement of all parties as to the next steps in these matters following the case conference that was held on April 13, 2010. Second, it addresses various matters relating to the hearing of a Request for Order During Proceedings made by the respondent Ministry of Community and Social Services (the “Ministry”).
NEXT STEPS
2All parties attending the case conference have agreed to the following Order reflecting the next steps in these cases:
(1) Complainants and applicants need not comply, at this time, with the requirement set out at para. 179 of the Ball Decision to provide answers to the questions outlined in that paragraph. The timeline and procedure for this requirement will be determined at a later stage of the process.
(2) By April 27, 2010, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) will disclose complainant documents for each adjourned Commission-referred complaint to the respondents, counsel for the lead complainants, Cindy Wilkey and Lesli Bisgould (“clinic counsel”), and to each complainant (for their case).
(3) By April 27, 2010, the Tribunal’s Registrar will send copies of the 15 special diet Applications made under s. 34 of the new Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, as amended, to clinic counsel and Cathy Pike, counsel for the Commission.
(4) By June 10, 2010, the Commission and clinic counsel will deliver:
a. A master list of disabilities/conditions for which it is alleged that the failure to provide a special diet violates the Code. This will be delivered to the respondents and to all applicants and complainants.
b. A document indicating the disabilities/conditions in issue in each case. This will be delivered to the respondents, and for their case, to each applicant and complainant.
c. Both lists will identify the conditions which are allegedly excluded as referenced in para. 179(2) and the conditions which are allegedly significantly underfunded as referenced in para. 179(4).
(5) A further case conference will be held on July 13, 2010, commencing at 10:00 AM, at the Tribunal’s hearing centre located at 655 Bay St., 14th Floor, Toronto. A call-in number will be provided to the parties.
RESPONDENT MINISTRY’S REQUEST FOR ORDER
3The respondent Ministry has brought a Request for Order asking that the Tribunal extend the period of the suspension set out at para. 180(5) of the Ball Decision until April 13, 2011. The respondent is asking that it have until that date to provide special diet benefits for individuals with hypoproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and obesity in accordance with the Code principles set out in that Decision. The respondent has advised that it will comply with parts (1) to (4) of the Order by May 17, 2010.
4Legal argument on the respondent’s request for an extension will be heard on May 28, 2010, commencing at 10:00 AM, at the Tribunal’s hearing centre. A call-in number has been provided for parties.
5The Tribunal makes the following Order pending the hearing of the respondent’s Request, which was requested by the respondent and unopposed by the other parties to the lead cases:
On an Interim basis, the date set out in para. 180(5) of the Tribunal’s Order of February 17, 2010, is extended until one month following the hearing of the respondent’s Request for an extension of the period of suspension. The Commission and the complainants reserve the right to argue that, if the extension request is denied, the order be made applicable from May 17, 2010.
6In view of the fact that this Interim Decision provides notice of the respondent’s Request for Order During Proceedings, the respondent need not provide a copy of its Request to certain complainants as was directed orally at the hearing. If any complainants or applicants seek a copy of the respondent’s full Request or materials in support, they may request them from respondent counsel.
Dated at Toronto, this 22nd day of April, 2010.
“Signed by”
David A. Wright
Interim Chair
Schedule “A”: Complaints Referred January 29, 2008
COMPLAINANT REPRESENTATIVE
- Ball, Brian – 1443-07 Glenda Devlin
- Bayne, Sandra –1444-07 David Balderston
- Belcourt, Lisa – 1445-07 Nora Simpson
- Bell, Linda – 1446-07 Seana Moorhead
- Bradshaw-Clark, Judy – 1447-07 Nora Simpson
- Buklis, Arlene – 1448-07 Norma MacKenzie
- Buklis, John – 1449-07 Norma MacKenzie
- Butts, Ruth – 1450-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Caissie, Rita –1451-07 Nora Simpson
- Carriere, Debbie – 1452-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Caster, Diane – 1453-07 Anna Zachariah
- Connors, Devon by his litigation guardian John Connors – 1454-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Connors, Drew by his litigation guardian John Connors – 1455-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Connors, John – 1456-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Cook, Cassandra – 1457-07 Norma MacKenzie
- Costello, John H. – 1458-07 Vicki Doidge
- Courville, Diane – 1459-07 Stuart Bailey
- Cranstone, Steven by his litigation guardian Irene Cranstone – 1460-07 Colleen Sym
- Crocker, Doral – 1461-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Dawe, Karen – 1462-07
- Donald, Linda C. – 1463-07
- Dupont, Gail – 1464-07
- Edison, Laura – 1465-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Edwards, Terry – 1466-07
- Fleming, Robert – 1467-07 Nora Simpson
- Frederick, Patricia Mary – 1468-07 Carl Symondson
- Glazewski, Dona – 1469-07 Nora Simpson
- Gray, Petrona – 1470-07 Nora Simpson
- Hampel, Anne – 1471-07 Norma MacKenzie
- Hanna, Judy – 1472-07
- Hartwick, Elsie – 1473-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Hedrich, Glenn V. – 1474-07
- Heyer, Kristi – 1475-07 Carl Symondson
- Hilborn, Gerald – 1476-07
- Hillier, Lanny - 1477-07 Carl Symondson
- Hird, Donna – 1478-07 Nora Simpson
- Hormuz, Sara – 1479-07
- Hunchuck, Suzanne – 1480-07
- Ibbotson, Brenda – 1481-07 Jessica S. Michael
- King, Randy – 1482-07
- LaFranchise, June – 1483-07
- Lawrence, Mary – 1484-07 Deborah Kehler
- LeFebvre, Diane – 1485-07 Georgina Watts
- Locke, Richard – 1486-07 Nora Simpson
- Lutynski, Judy – 1487-07 Jessica S. Michael
- MacDonald, Debbie – 1488-07
- MacDonald, John by his litigation guardian Debbie MacDonald – 1489-07
- Mahaney, Margaret - 1490-07 Nora Simpson
- Manke, Carole – 1491-07
- Marin, Anne – 1492-07 Laura J. Hunter
- Martel, Robert – 1493-07 Stuart Bailey
- McNeil, Neil – 1494-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Molto, Vanessa – 1495-07 Nora Simpson
- Nelson, Andrea – 1496-07
- Ninni, Angela – 1497-07 Nora Simpson
- Pear, Rosalynn – 1498-07 Deborah Kehler
- Penner, Sandra – 1499-07 Stuart Bailey
- Petit, Jamie – 1500-07 Laura J. Hunter
- Pietrobon, Jessica by her litigation guardian Rosemary Pietrobon – 1501-07 Vicki Doidge
- Ray, Patricia – 1502-07
- Remus, Colleen – 1503-07 Laura J. Hunter
- Ricker, Shawn – 1504-07 Seana Moorhead
- Romano, Clara – 1505-07 Seana Moorhead
- Sauve, Julie – 1506-07 Susan Campbell
- Scrutton, Amy – 1507-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Seguin, Raymond – 1508-07 Stuart Bailey
- Sizer, Doug – 1509-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Smith-Reeve, Wendy – 1510-07 Andrew C. Bolter
- Snow, Clarence – 1511-07 David Balderston
- Stapley, Francis – 1512-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Tessier, Victor – 1513-07 Stuart Bailey
- Tilling, Randy – 1514-07 Nora Simpson
- Tursa, Ella – 1515-07
- Vermeulen, Angela – 1516-07 Nora Simpson
- Wickham, Deborah – 1517-07
- Wray, Lorena – 1518-07 Jessica S. Michael
- Yurke, Gregory – 1519-07
Schedule “B”: Complaints Referred August 11, 2008
- Abbs, David –1656-08
- Addison, Sylvan – 1657-08
- Briggs, Bonitta – 1658-8-08
- Brown, Marie – 1659-08
- Burt, Pansy Yvonne – 1660-08
- Cason, Wesley – 1661-08
- Cotterell, Brian – 1662-08
- Essery, Kathy – 1663-08
- Faustina, Murray -- 1664-08
- Fenwick, Victoria –1665-08
- Francis, Michael – 1666-08
- Froude, Eric – 1667-08
- Fujs, David – 1668-08
- Graham, Michael – 1669-08
- Hoffman, Jennifer – 1670-08
- Hoffman, Samantha – 1671-08
- Hylton, Noel – 1672-08
- Jackson, John – 1673-08
- Kersteins, Katherine – 1674-08
- Klemm, Bonnie – 1675-08
- Landry, James – 1676-08
- Lesser, Laura – 1677-08
- Monteath, Stephen – 1678-08
- Nava, Emanuel – 1679-08
- Priolo, Carmin – 1680-08
- Rose, Eva – 1681-08
- Salm, Donna – 1682-08
- Santdonato, Filippo – 1683-08
- Small, Brenda – 1684-08
- Smart, Ann – 1685-08
- Stewart, Chuck – 1686-08
- Stewart, John – 1687-08
- Townsend, Peter – 1688-08
- Vanegas, Pedro – 1689-08
- Walker, Ed – 1690-08
- Wareham, Janice – 1691-08
- Williams, Terrance – 1692-08
Representative for all Schedule “B” Complainants: Sarah Shartal-Levinthal
Schedule “C”: Complaints Referred December 2, 2008
COMPLAINANT REPRESENTATIVE
- Abdelmalik, Etidal Ishak – 1732-08
- Aquino, Verne – 1733-08
- Bartlett, Cathy – 1734-08 Amy Scholten
- Bauder, Judy – 1735-08 Nick Galanis
- Beauvais, Dianna – 1736-08 Karen Mathewson
- Belbin, Carol – 1737-08
- Boyce, Heather – 1738-08 Deirdre McDade
- Braun, Neta – 1739-08
- Candlish, Patricia – 1740-08
- Chartrand, Deborah – 1741-08 Amy Scholten
- Cha, So Yeun – 1742-08 Vanessa Emery
- Cowan, Susan – 1743-08 Sheila Drohan
- De Roy, Bernard – 1744-08 Amy Scholten
- Draper, Rosemary – 1745-08
- Fedoruk, Cathy – 1746-08 Vanessa Emery
- Fedoruk, Rebecca – 1747-08 Vanessa Emery
- Graham, John Wayne – 1748-08 Jessica S. Michael
- Green, John – 1749-08 Sheila Drohan
- Halliwell, Yolande – 1750-08
- Harrington, Martina – 1751-08 Amy Scholten
- Harrison, Crystal – 1752-08 Andrew Bolter
- Harvey, Karen – 1753-08 Vanessa Emery
- Hossain, Khandakar – 1754-08 Vanessa Emery
- Hyman, Binnie – 1755-08 Nina Hall
- Jay, John – 1756-08 Andrew Bolter
- Kalynchuk, Valentin – 1757-08 Sheila Drohan
- Langlois, Gilles – 1758-08 Laura Hunter
- Lockwood, Jason – 1759-08
- MacConnell, Jo-Ann – 1760-08 Sarah Lawson
- MacLeod, Brad – 1761-08 Amy Scholten
- MacRae, Valery – 1762-08 Vanessa Emery
- McIntyre, Diane – 1763-08
- Milner, Barbara – 1764-08 Gillian Tuck Katarna
- Myrden, Alison – 1765-08 Gillian Tuck Kutarna
- Noel, Arlene – 1766-08 Sheila Drohan
- Pennell, Stephen – 1767-08
- Poloz, Glenn – 1768-08 Sheila Drohan
- Prodonick, Dan – 1769-08
- Raymond, Marquis – 1770-08 Stuart Bailey
- Saint-Bonheur, Salnave – 1771-08
- Salib, Adly Shafik – 1772-08
- Santoli, Carmela – 1773-08 Vanessa Emery
- Saunders, Ashley – 1774-08
- Schlondorff, Jody – 1775-08 Vanessa Emery
- Schwarz, Elena – 1776-08 Sheila Drohan
- Severin, Sheila – 1777-08 Amy Scholten
- Sharp, Kenneth – 1778-08
- Snopko, Robert by his Debbie Dragnits litigation guardian John Snopko– 1779-08
- Solon, Melodina – 1780-08
- Spence, Monica – 1781-08 Vanessa Emery
- Thrower, Keith – 1782-08 Jessica Michael
- Thurston, Leslie – 1783-08
- Treuman, Alexander – 1784-08 Sheila Drohan
- Treuman, Stewart – 1785-08 Sheila Drohan
- Wendling, Edward – 1786-08 Sheila Drohan
- Wojciel, Christine – 1787-08
- Zuk, Lisa – 1788-08