Item - 2023.EC4.5

The Economic and Community Development Committee: 

1.  Received the report (May 16, 2023) from the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards for information.

In accordance with the Relationship Framework approved by City Council for the

Toronto Licensing Tribunal, the Chair's 2022 Annual Report is being communicated to the Economic and Community Development Committee for information.

The Toronto Licensing Tribunal (the Tribunal) is an independent quasi-judicial body that  makes decisions about business licensing matters brought forward by Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS), or at the request of a licence holder or applicant, in accordance with Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 545, Licensing, Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire, and Chapter 547, Licensing and Registration of Short-term Rentals. The Tribunal is comprised of seven citizens chosen by City Council for a four-year term, and it receives administrative support from the City of Toronto's Court Services Division.

In 2022, the Toronto Licensing Tribunal scheduled 166 appearances before a hearing panel. There were a total of 49 electronic hearing dates. There were no hearing dates in-person. In 2022, the top licence types that appeared before the Tribunal were: Tow Truck Driver’s Licences, Vehicle for Hire Driver’s Licences, and Taxicab Owner’s Licences.

As indicated in the Toronto Municipal Code and the Relationship Framework for the

Toronto Licensing Tribunal, the Annual Report contains recommendations of the Chair for improvements or changes to the Toronto Licensing Tribunal policies and procedures. In the 2022 Annual Report, the Chair made recommendations to:

1.    Change the layout of hearing submissions to ensure that all parties can fully participate in electronic hearings using various devices; and

2.    Return to the previous practice of scheduling interpreters in advance of hearing dates to support parties who require interpretation services.