Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal

Ministry

Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

URL

www.wsiat.on.ca

Address

505 University Avenue, 7th Floor
Toronto
M5G2P2

Phone

416-314-8800/ 1-888-618-8846

Fax

416-326-5164

Background

Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, S.O. 1997, C. 16, SCHED. A, PART XIII, S. 173 (opens a new window)

Function

The tribunal is the final board of appeal to which workers and employers may bring disputes concerning decisions of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. The tribunal hears appeals from final decisions or rulings of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board regarding entitlements to benefits, health care and vocational rehabilitation.

Membership

The tribunal is composed of a chair, one or more vice-chairs and the number of members representative of employers and of workers that the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers appropriate. The chair is the chief executive officer. If the chair considers it appropriate in the circumstances, a panel of three members shall hear and decide an appeal under the insurance plan. The panel shall consist of the chair or a vice-chair, one tribunal member who is representative of employers and one Tribunal Member representative of workers.

Qualifications

•    Ability to set strategic direction, articulate and work towards a vision and oversee the implementation of plans and strategies.
•    Thorough understanding of the administrative justice system, including the relevant legal principles.
•    In-depth understanding of the professional, institutional, policy and community context in which the Tribunal operates, or the ability to acquire such understanding.
•    Understanding of the Tribunal’s Practice Directions and supporting procedures.
•    Knowledge of the continuum of dispute resolution practices to design new or change existing processes.
•    Superior dispute resolution and analytical skills to resolve complex matters involving multiple interests, under public scrutiny.
•    Commitment to respect diversity and to maintain fair, transparent processes that meet the highest professional standards of the Tribunal’s Code of Conduct.
•    Experience in interpreting and applying legislation with specific knowledge of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act and related law and policy.
•    Ability to formulate reasoned decisions and communicate them in writing in a timely manner.
•    Impartiality and sound judgement to fairly assess cases involving issues regarding conflicting verbal / written evidence and the assessment of credibility.
•    Ability to perform the work required in an effective, pro-active, self-directed and timely manner.

Term

There is no limitation in legislation, however, the Agencies & Appointments Directive limits the term of appointment to a maximum of ten years in total for regulatory and adjudicative agencies. Re-appointment to a further term beyond the maximum of ten years in total may be made only in exceptional circumstances in the public interest.

Meetings

Hearings are held daily in Toronto at the Tribunal's Head Office, as well as across the province.

Remuneration

Appointees are remunerated according to Schedule B of the Agencies and Appointments Directive

Appointments & Vacancies