Ren v. International Alliance of Healthcare Educators/Upledger Institute, 2015 HRTO 1717

HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL OF ONTARIO

B E T W E E N:

Grace Ren

Applicant

-and-

International Alliance of Healthcare Educators/Upledger Institute Inc. and

Susan Steiner

Respondents

INTERIM DECISION

Adjudicator: Alison Renton

Date: December 21, 2015

Citation: 2015 HRTO 1717

Indexed as: Ren v. International Alliance of Healthcare Educators/ Upledger Institute

1A hearing in this Application is scheduled for January 13 and 14, 2016.

2The respondents have requested an adjournment because of the unavailability of one of its key witnesses, as well as the medical condition of the organizational respondent’s principal, who is located in Florida. The respondents filed a letter from the principal’s treating physician, who is also located in Florida.

3The applicant does not oppose the adjournment request.

4The Tribunal’s Practice Direction on Scheduling of Hearings and Mediations, Rescheduling Requests, and Requests for Adjournments (“the Practice Direction”) makes it clear that requests for adjournments will not be granted unless there are exceptional circumstances.

5The unavailability of one of the respondents’ witnesses does not constitute an exceptional circumstance, particularly because the hearing dates were selected based upon the availability of the parties.

6However, the medical condition of the organizational respondent’s principal does constitute an extraordinary circumstance, and the adjournment request is granted on this basis.

7The hearing dates for January 13 and 14, 2016 are cancelled. The Tribunal’s scheduling department will contact the parties to reschedule the hearing dates.