Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 154, Number 35: Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020

August 29, 2020

Statutory authority

Canadian Human Rights Act

Sponsoring agency

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Rules.)

Executive summary

Issues: For the first time since the establishment of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (the “Tribunal” or “CHRT”), rules of procedure adopted by the Chairperson are prepublished in the Canada Gazette. These new rules of procedure largely codify the rules already governing proceedings at the Tribunal.

Description: The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 are intended to govern proceedings before the Tribunal under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Rationale: The Tribunal’s mandate is to inquire into complaints referred to it by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Subsection 48.9(2) of the Canadian Human Rights Act gives the Chairperson of the Tribunal the authority to make rules of procedure to govern the procedural aspects of the proceedings.

Issues

The rules of procedure currently in use at the Tribunal had never been published in the Canada Gazette. The purpose of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 is to codify and modernize the existing rules of procedure to ensure the proceedings are conducted informally and expeditiously.

Background

The Tribunal is a quasi-judicial independent tribunal established under the Canadian Human Rights Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-6). The Tribunal’s mandate is to inquire into complaints referred to it by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Subsection 48.9(2) of the Canadian Human Rights Act gives the Chairperson of the Tribunal the authority to make rules of procedure to govern the procedural aspects of the proceedings.

Objective

The purpose of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 is to codify the informal rules of procedure currently in use at the Tribunal. These new rules also seek to modernize the informal rules to facilitate proceedings by, among other things, allowing a better use of technologies.

Description

The purpose of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 is to codify and modernize the informal rules of procedure currently in use at the Tribunal. The main objective is to simplify the Tribunal procedures and make them more efficient. Most of the rules already in use at the Tribunal stay the same under the new rules. However, a few important changes should be highlighted, such as

Regulatory development

Consultation

These rules of procedure are prepublished in Part I of the Canada Gazette, and the consultation process will run for 60 days. Furthermore, the draft rules of procedure have been posted on the Tribunal’s website since June 2020, and all interested persons are invited to submit comments, feedback and questions. Finally, in conjunction with these actions, the Tribunal has sent an email to a large group of stakeholders inviting them to consult and comment on the new rules of procedure. The stakeholder group is composed of individuals who have appeared before the Tribunal, federal departments and agencies, federally regulated companies, labour organizations, Indigenous organizations and human rights organizations, to name a few.

Comments received as a result of these consultations will be addressed at the end of the 60-day period, and necessary changes will be made to the rules of procedure before their publication in Part II of the Canada Gazette.

Modern treaty obligations and Indigenous engagement and consultation

Since the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 are procedural in nature, the Tribunal does not believe that they can have an impact on modern treaty obligations and Indigenous engagement and consultation in Canada. That being said, as indicated above, the Tribunal made sure to consult with Indigenous organizations and organizations that advocate for Indigenous rights in order to solicit their feedback.

Instrument choice

Subsection 48.9(2) of the Canadian Human Rights Act clearly states that the Chairperson of the Tribunal may make rules of procedure. Therefore, no other instrument was considered. However, it is true that the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 are also supplemented by non-regulatory instruments, such as practice notes and guides designed to provide the parties appearing before the Tribunal with a better understanding of its process. These instruments are published on the Tribunal’s website.

Regulatory analysis

Benefits and costs

The adoption of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 has an impact only on the practices and procedures used by the Tribunal to inquire into complaints referred to it by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. These new rules should not impose any additional costs on parties appearing before the Tribunal. In fact, these modernized rules are intended to facilitate proceedings, for example by allowing a better use of technologies, potentially even lowering the costs of proceedings to the parties.

Small business lens

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 should have no impact on small businesses, inasmuch as the objective is to ensure proceedings are conducted as informally and expeditiously as the requirements of natural justice allow. Moreover, small businesses represent a minority of the parties appearing before the Tribunal. Nevertheless, the cost reduction generated by promoting the use of technology should benefit small businesses.

One-for-one rule

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 are the only rules or regulations that will have been adopted by the Chairperson of the Tribunal since the enactment of the Canadian Human Rights Act. Therefore, the one-for-one rule does not apply to the Tribunal’s situation.

Regulatory cooperation and alignment

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 are the only rules or regulations that will have been adopted by the Chairperson of the Tribunal since the enactment of the Canadian Human Rights Act. Therefore, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 have no impact on regulatory cooperation and alignment initiatives.

Strategic environmental assessment

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 will not result in any environmental impacts.

Gender-based analysis plus (GBA+)

In light of the mandate given to the Tribunal by the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Tribunal wishes to ensure that any person whose complaint of discrimination is referred for inquiry has a full and ample opportunity to appear and present evidence and to make representations before the Tribunal. In this context, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 are intended to ensure that proceedings are conducted informally and expeditiously. They should have no negative impact on historically disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. On the contrary, they should enable all persons appearing before the Tribunal to understand the applicable procedure.

Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020 will come into force on the 90th day after the day on which they are registered and will apply to all new complaints received by the Chairperson of the Tribunal on or after that day. If the parties to a complaint already before the Tribunal so wish, they may request permission from the Tribunal member to use the new rules of procedure from that time on.

The final version of the new rules of procedure will also be made available on the Tribunal’s website as soon as they are published in Part II of the Canada Gazette.

Contact

Jolane T. Lauzon
Counsel
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
Email: CHRTrules-TCDPregles@chrt-tcdp.gc.ca

PROPOSED REGULATORY TEXT

Notice is given, pursuant to subsection 48.9(3) footnote a of the Canadian Human Rights Act footnote b, that the Chairperson of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, pursuant to subsection 48.9(2)footnote a of that Act, proposes to make the annexed Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020.

Interested persons may make representations concerning the proposed Rules within 60 days after the date of publication of this notice. All such representations must cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, and the date of publication of this notice, and be addressed to Jolane T. Lauzon, Counsel, Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, 240 Sparks Street, 6th Floor West, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1J4 (email: CHRTrules-TCDPregles@chrt-tcdp.gc.ca).

Ottawa, August 10, 2020

David L. Thomas
Chairperson of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules of Procedure, 2020

Interpretation

Definitions

1 The following definitions apply in these Rules.

General

Inquiry

2 (1) An inquiry is instituted by the Chairperson assigning a panel to it and concludes when the panel renders a decision under section 53 of the Act.

Conduct of inquiry

(2) The panel controls the conduct of an inquiry under these Rules including holding a case management conference, hearing a motion and conducting the hearing on the merits of a complaint.

No panel assigned

3 If a panel has not yet been assigned to conduct an inquiry, the Chairperson may exercise the powers assigned to a panel under these Rules.

General principle

4 These Rules are to be interpreted and applied so as to secure the informal, expeditious and fair determination of every inquiry on its merits.

Non-exhaustive Rules

5 A panel may decide any matter of procedure that is not provided for by these Rules.

Varying or dispensing with Rules

6 A panel may, on the motion of a party or on its own initiative, vary a Rule, or dispense with compliance with if doing so advances the aims set out in Rule 4.

Consequences of Non-compliance

Non-compliance with Rules or orders

7 If a party does not comply with these Rules, an order of a panel or a time limit established under these Rules, the panel may, on the motion of another party or its own initiative, proceed with the inquiry, dismiss the complaint or order the party to remedy the non-compliance.

Vexatious conduct or abuse of process

8 A panel may, on the motion of a party or its own initiative, make any order that it considers necessary against vexatious conduct or abuse of process.

Service and Filing

Documents to be served and filed

9 Every document that must be served and filed under these Rules must be served on all parties and filed with the Registrar.

Methods of service

10 Service may be effected

Electronic filing

11 (1) A document may be filed by transmitting to the Internet address designated by the Registrar.

Other methods of filing

(2) If it is not possible to file a document electronically, a document may also be filed by

Language of documents

12 Any document that is filed must be in English or French or be accompanied by a translation in English or French and an affidavit of the translator attesting to the accuracy of the translation.

Request to Institute Inquiry

Request by Commission

13 (1) The request to the Chairperson to institute an inquiry into the complaint must be served and filed by the Commission and be accompanied by

Update to information

(2) If the information provided by the Commission under paragraph (1)(b) is inaccurate or changes, the party in question must notify the Registrar and the other parties as soon as feasible.

Statement of Particulars

Statement of particulars — complainant

14 (1) A complainant must serve and file, within the time limit established by the panel, a statement of particulars that sets out

Privileged documents

(2) The list of documents described in paragraph 1(f) must indicate the documents in respect of which privilege is claimed and the basis for the privilege.

Statement of particulars — Commission

15 (1) If the Commission is participating at the inquiry, it must serve and file, within the time limit established by the panel, a statement of particulars that sets out

Privileged documents

(2) The list described in paragraph 1(e) must indicate the documents in respect of which privilege is claimed and the basis for the privilege.

Response to statements of particulars — respondent

16 (1) A respondent must serve and file, within the time limit established by the panel, a response to the statements of particulars that sets out

Privileged documents

(2) The list described in paragraph 1(e) must indicate the documents in respect of which privilege is claimed and the basis for the privilege.

Reply

17 (1) Each of the complainants and the Commission, if it is participating in the inquiry, may file a reply, within the time limit established by the panel, that sets out any facts, issues, witnesses or documents they intend to present in reply to the response provided by the respondent.

Witnesses or documents in reply

(2) If a reply sets out additional witnesses or documents, the reply must include, in the case of the complainant, the information set out in paragraphs 14(1)(e) and (f) and subrule 14(2) and, in the case of the Commission, the information set out in paragraphs 15(1)(c) and (d) and subrule 15(2).

Expert witness reports

18 For each expert witness whom a party intends to call, that party must serve and file, within the time limit established by the panel, a report that

Provision of documents

19 (1) A party that discloses a document in accordance with paragraph 14(1)(f), 15(1)(e) or 16(1)(e) or subrule 20(1) for which privilege is not claimed must provide a copy of that document to the other parties within the time limit established by the panel.

Documents not to be filed

(2) For greater certainty, documents provided to the other parties under subrule (1) must not be filed.

Ongoing Disclosure

20 (1) A party must, as soon as feasible, serve and file a list of the additional relevant documents that are in its possession if

Privileged documents

(2) The list of documents must indicate the documents in respect of which privilege is claimed and the basis for the privilege.

Notice of constitutional questions

21 If a party intends to challenge the constitutional validity, applicability or operability of a statute or regulation, the party must serve notice in accordance with subsection 57(2) of the Federal Courts Act and Form 69 of the Federal Courts Rules.

Motions and Adjournments

Notice of motion

22 (1) Unless the panel agrees to proceed differently, a motion, including a motion for adjournment, must be initiated by a notice in writing that

Service and filing

(2) The notice must be served and filed as soon as feasible.

Response

(3) A panel that receives a notice of motion, including a notice of motion for adjournment,

Addition of Parties and Interested Parties

Motion for interested party status

23 (1) A person that wishes to be recognized as an interested party in respect of an inquiry must serve and file a notice of motion for an order to that effect.

Content of motion

(2) The notice of motion must specify the assistance the person wishes to provide to the inquiry and the extent to which the person wishes to participate in the inquiry.

Decision of panel

(3) If the panel grants the motion, it must specify the extent to which the interested party is permitted to participate in the inquiry.

Motion for party status

24 A person that wishes to be recognized by the panel as a party in respect of the inquiry must serve and file a notice of motion for an order to that effect.

Motion by a party to add a party

25 A party that wishes to have a person recognized as a party in respect of an inquiry must serve and file a notice of motion for an order to that effect after having served the notice of motion on the prospective party. The prospective party may make submissions on the motion.

Case Management Conference

Scheduling by panel

26 (1) A panel may schedule a case management conference to resolve matters of an administrative or procedural nature in respect of the inquiry.

Manner

(2) A case management conference may be held by telephone conference or in person.

Notice to Registrar

(3) A party that wishes to raise a matter at a case management conference must notify the Registrar as soon as feasible before the conference.

Conduct of conference

27 At a case management conference, the panel may

Hearing and Evidence

Hours of hearings

28 Hearings are held on Monday to Friday, except on holidays, between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. local time.

Form of hearing

29 (1) Subject to subrule (2), a hearing is conducted in person.

Remote conferencing

(2) The panel may order that a hearing be conducted in whole or in part by means of a telephone conference call, video-conference or any other form of electronic communication.

Technological assistance

(3) The panel may give directions to facilitate the conduct of a hearing by the use of any electronic or digital means of communication or storage or retrieval of information, or any other technology it considers appropriate.

Evidence taken outside a hearing

30 (1) A party may serve and file a notice of motion for an order to examine an individual who is unable to attend a hearing for the purpose of introducing that individual’s evidence at the hearing.

Directions for taking evidence outside a hearing

(2) If the motion is granted, the panel must give directions respecting

Special arrangements

31 A party that requires the services of an interpreter or other special arrangements at the hearing must notify the Registrar and the other parties of the requirement as soon as feasible.

Hearing in absence of a party

32 A hearing may proceed even though a party fails to appear before the panel if the panel is satisfied that the party received proper notice of the hearing.

List of documents

33 (1) Each party must file, no later than 45 days before the first scheduled day of the hearing, a list of the documents, other than any expert reports referred to under rule 18, that it intends to introduce into evidence at the hearing; and a copy of each of those documents.

Service on other parties

(2) The party must serve the list on the other parties.

Undisclosed matters

34 A party may

Admission of documents into evidence

35 Despite paragraph 34(c), a document is admitted into evidence only when

Exclusion of witnesses

36 (1) A panel may order that a witness be excluded from the hearing room until they are called to give evidence.

Exception

(2) The panel must not order the exclusion of a witness who is a party or whose presence is necessary to instruct a party’s representative, but the panel may require such a witness to give evidence before any other witness is called.

Communication with excluded witnesses

37 Unless authorized by the panel, a person may not communicate with a witness who has been excluded under subrule 36(1) regarding evidence given during their absence, or provide them with access to a recording or transcript of the hearing, until after they have given their testimony.

Communication with witnesses during examination

38 The panel may give directions restricting any communication with a witness during the examination of that witness.

Book of Authorities

Content

39 (1) A party may serve and file a book of authorities containing copies of the legislative provisions, case law and other legal authorities to which the party intends to refer at the hearing.

Highlighted passages

(2) The relevant passages in each legal authority must be highlighted.

Electronically available case law

(3) For case law that is accessible to the public electronically, a party need only include in the book of authorities

Electronically available legislation

(4) For legislation that is accessible to the public electronically, a party need only include in the book of authorities

Time Limit for Decision

Final decision

40 (1) In the case of a decision under section 53 of the Act, the panel must issue its decision within six months after the conclusion of the presentation of arguments and evidence by the parties.

Decision on motion

(2) In the case of a decision on a motion, the panel must issue its decision within three months of the presentation of arguments and evidence by the parties.

Notice of extension

41 The panel must give notice to the parties of an extension to the time limits referred to in rule 40.

Reassignment

42 The Chairperson may, after consulting the parties, assign an inquiry to a different panel if the deliberation period is unduly long and a decision will not be rendered in the foreseeable future.

Interest on Orders to Pay Compensation

Interest

43 Interest awarded under subsection 53(4) of the Act must be simple interest that is equivalent to the bank rate established by the Bank of Canada and must accrue from the day on which the discriminatory practice occurred until the day on which the award of compensation is paid.

Tribunal’s Official Record

Content

44 (1) For each inquiry, the Registrar must keep an official record that contains

Public access

(2) Subject to any confidentiality measures or orders under section 52 of the Act, the public may access the Tribunal’s official record under such terms and conditions as specified by the Chairperson.

Retention

(3) The Chairperson may establish the retention period for the official record in respect of any inquiry that has concluded and for which any judicial review or appeal proceedings have been exhausted.

Coming into Force

90 days after registration

45 These Rules come into force on the 90th day after the day on which they are registered.