Item - 2019.GL8.18

The General Government and Licensing Committee:

1.  Requested the Director, Court Services, in consultation with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to report to the General Government and Licensing Committee in 2020 on any recommended changes to the Toronto Licensing Tribunal's hearing processes, policies, or procedures arising from the Tribunal Chair's 2018 Annual Report.

In accordance with the Relationship Framework approved by City Council for the Toronto Licensing Tribunal, the Chair's 2018 Annual Report is being communicated to the General Government and Licensing Committee for information.

The Toronto Licensing Tribunal (the Tribunal) is an independent, quasi-judicial body comprised of seven citizens chosen by City Council for a four-year term. The Tribunal receives administrative support from the City of Toronto's Court Services Division. The Tribunal makes decisions about business licensing matters that are brought forward by Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) or at the request of a licensee or applicant, in accordance with the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 545, Licensing, and Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-For-Hire. 

In 2018, the Tribunal scheduled 235 appearances before a hearing panel. There were 54 hearing dates, which included several multi-day hearings and two motion hearings. In addition, there were 26 pre-hearing dates; these resulted in 127 meetings between an applicant and MLS.

As indicated in the Toronto Municipal Code and the Relationship Framework for the Tribunal, the Annual Report contains recommendations of the Chair for improvements or changes to the Tribunal's policies and procedures. The recommendations for 2018 are similar to the ones made in the 2017 Annual Report, with some updates and revisions.