4. Make your closing statement

You give your closing statement after all witnesses have finished testifying. At this part of the hearing, you try to convince the HRTO member that the witnesses and evidence prove your case.

You can talk about things that happened during the hearing that suggest the Respondent's witnesses are biased or lying. For example, you can talk about how the Respondent's witnesses changed their stories. Or you can talk about the things the Respondent's witnesses could not remember.

If you think the HRTO member may not believe what your witnesses said, you can explain why your witnesses should be trusted.

You should also show how your evidence proves the losses you suffered, especially anything you want money for.

The HRTO member will often ask questions during your closing. They may interrupt you to ask questions.

When you are finished your closing statement, the Respondent can then make their closing statement.

Case research

During your closing statements, you and the Respondent can both give examples of previous cases that are similar to yours. Generally, similar cases should be decided similarly. So if you can show the HRTO member previous cases that are similar to yours, then the member is more likely to decide your case similarly.

You have to give the Respondent and the HRTO member copies of any previous cases you want to use.

Getting the decision

In most cases, the HRTO member does not make a decision on the same day as the hearing. Usually the member takes more time to review all of the evidence and think about their decision. This is sometimes called “reserving” their decision.

If your hearing lasted 3 days or less, you should get the decision within 3 months.

If your hearing lasted more than 3 days, you should get the decision within 6 months.

These timelines start after the last hearing date or the date when closing written submissions were due.

Appealing the decision

If you do not agree with the decision, you can ask the HRTO for a reconsideration. You must ask within 30 days of the decision date.

If you do not agree with the outcome of the reconsideration, you can ask a court to do a judicial review of the decision. You must do this within 30 days of receiving the reconsideration outcome.