The tenants appealed an order of the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal terminating their tenancy and ordering vacant possession.
The landlord brought a motion to quash the appeal or lift the stay pending appeal.
The tenants were represented by a paralegal.
The court held that paralegals are not authorized by law to represent parties in court on residential tenancy matters, including excess claims and appeals, as the Rules of Civil Procedure apply and the Law Society Act prohibits non-lawyers from practising law.
The court lifted the stay regarding the payment of rent but maintained the stay on the eviction order provided the appeal was heard promptly.
