Court File and Parties
PEHT Case No: 2390-19-PE Sharon Nolan-Conway, Applicant v City of Toronto, Respondent
PEHT Case No: 2391-19-PE Joanne Greene, Applicant v City of Toronto, Respondent
BEFORE: M. David Ross, Chair
DECISION OF THE BOARD: April 6, 2020
Decision
1These are applications under the Pay Equity Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.7, as amended (“the Act”).
2The applicants have requested an extension of time to file the witness statements directed by the Tribunal’s decision dated February 21, 2020.
3I find that it is entirely appropriate to extend the timelines in these circumstances. The applicants have requested an extension of time until April 30, 2020. The Tribunal grants the extension to May 11, 2020. If the applicants require a further extension, one will be granted barring the most extraordinary circumstances.
4Furthermore, this hearing is scheduled for May 29, 2020. The Tribunal has cancelled all hearings up to May 28, 2020. I note that the respondent in these matters is the City of Toronto, and I take notice that the City of Toronto is addressing unprecedented issues arising from this pandemic.
5Counsel for both parties are very experienced. In light of the current pandemic, I encourage counsel for the parties to discuss between them whether a hearing date on May 29, 2020 is feasible. The Tribunal does not wish to encourage people to have to meet with one another, or witnesses, in order to prepare for a hearing, until it is safe to do so. If counsel consult with one another and agree between themselves that the May 29, 2020 hearing date should be rescheduled to a later date, the Tribunal will grant that request without requiring any reasons from the parties.
6In any event, nothing in the decision prevents the Tribunal from rescheduling the May 29, 2020 hearing at its own motion at a later date.
"M. David Ross"
M. David Ross, Chair