What happens at mediation at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario?
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) holds mediations and hearings by video conference on Zoom.
If you're not able to take part in a videoconference, you should tell the HRTO as soon as possible. You must fill out a form and explain why you need to have your or hearing in another way. For example, you might need to meet in person because of the type of you have or because your community does not have good internet access.
Most cases at the (HRTO) are resolved through mediation. Mediation is when you, the Respondent, and an HRTO member try to resolve your case before it goes to a hearing.
If you filed an with the HRTO after June 1, 2025, you will have to do mediation first to try and resolve your issue.
If you filed an application with the HRTO before June 1, 2025, the HRTO will ask you to try mediation, but you do not have to do it.
If you are not able to resolve your issue through mediation, you can still choose to have a hearing.
What is mediation
Mediation is usually faster and less complicated than a hearing. In mediation you and the Respondent try to negotiate a way to resolve your case with the help of an HRTO member. You and the Respondent must decide the outcome of the mediation together. The HRTO member will not make any decisions. They are just there to help things go smoothly.
If you and the Respondent agree on how to resolve your case at mediation, you both sign a document that describes what you've agreed on. This document is usually called a settlement agreement. Once you sign the agreement, the HRTO closes your case.
If you and the Respondent cannot agree, you will have a hearing. The hearing takes place on another date and with a different HRTO member.
A hearing is a more complicated process involving witnesses, evidence, and legal arguments. At a hearing, an HRTO member listens to the evidence and makes a decision about your case.
