Appointee Biographies

AVRIL FARLAM

Avril Farlam is a Deputy Judge of the Small Claims Court of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Vice Chair of the Ontario Licence Appeal Tribunal, former Chair of the CPP/OAS Administrative Review Tribunal and City of Windsor Hearing Officer. Ms. Farlam holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor Law School. Ms. Farlam serves on the Education Committee of the Ontario Deputy Judges Association, has served on the Council of the Ontario Bar Association and the board of director of the Society of Ontario Adjudicator and Regulators, has taught Advocacy at the Law Society of Ontario Bar Admission course, taught at St. Clair College and sponsored a student scholarship through the Womens Law Association of Ontario

ROBERT PATCHETT

Robert Patchett, of Ottawa, is a Vice-Chair (part-time) of the Landlord and Tenant Board and Lieutenant-Colonel Infantry Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces, and former Senior Strategic Policy Advisor and Senior Military Advisor, Department of National Defence/Canadian Forces Housing Agency. His community involvement includes serving as Branch Service Officer with the Royal Canada Legion.

PATRICK CUMMINS

Patrick Cummins is a lawyer with 30-plus years of experience. In his legal practice, Patrick has assisted clients and collaborated with government regulators on various administrative and regulatory law matters. Patrick earned his Master of Laws at Osgoode Hall Law School and is currently an Administrative and Regulatory Law instructor at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Toronto Metropolitan University. He has provided insight into tribunal rules and procedures for adjudicating claims and disputes. He is the past President and Chairman of the Board of The DAM Develop-Assist-Mentor, a not-for-profit charitable organization, partnering with youth to create an inclusive community where all are welcomed, valued and respected.

LINDSAY LAKE

Lindsay Lake is a Vice-Chair with the Licence Appeal Tribunal, the Animal Care Review Board, and the Fire Safety Commission. Previously, Lindsay was a Municipal Prosecutor and Solicitor with the Corporation of the City of London and was also a part-time Adjudicator with the Landlord and Tenant Board. Lindsay completed her B.A. in Women's Studies at Western University and her LL.B. at the University of Windsor. Lindsay has also completed the Osgoode Hall Law School of York University's Certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards, and Tribunals and the Advanced Certificate in Adjudication. Lindsay teaches in the Paralegal Program at Fanshawe College, is a member of the Family Advisory Council of the London Health Sciences Centre (Children's Hospital) and serves on the Board of Directors for Victim Services of Middlesex-London.

SUSAN CLARKE

has been an active member in the fire protection field for over 30 years. She worked as a Fire Protection Engineer at the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal for 27 years. responsible for Fire Marshal Reviews of Inspection Orders, training, delivering presentations, and writing articles, as well as participating in the Fire Code writing team. She has worked in the consulting field as a Code Specialist and Senior Fire Protection Engineer, and in several other consulting positions over the years. Ms. Clarke has been a member of, and later in a leadership position with the Canadian Fire Safety Association and the Code Interpretations Advisory Committee. She has supported her local community by serving as Director on several boards. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree (Civil Engineering) from the University of Waterloo. and a Master of Business Administration from York University.

ZIBA HEYDARIAN

Ziba Heydarian is a lawyer, mediator, and adjudicator who specialized in dispute resolution. Ms. Heydarian holds a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School and has a Honours Bachelor of Law from the University of Toronto in Human Biology and Ethics, Society, and Law. Prior to her appointment, she ran a successful legal practice in the areas of civil litigation, corporate law, real estate law, and wills & estates. Ms. Heydarian also has past experience working as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Federal Court of Canada.

PAUL STOPCIATI

Paul Stopciati was born in Sudbury and owns and operates a local fire prevention business, PES Commercial Cleaning Ltd. Paul was instrumental in the success of two fundraising events for local causes while serving on the board of director of the Northern Cancer Research Foundation. He was a founder of the Strokes for Hope Golf Classic, a charity tournament that raised over $300,000 for cancer research for over five years under his chairmanship. He also served as Chair of the NHL Oldtimer’s Hockey Game for four years. He has also served with other community organizations, including the Sudbury-Manitoulin Alzheimer Society and the Sunrisers Rotary Club. In 2011, Paul was appointed to the Greater Sudbury Public Library Board. As a member of the board, he oversaw the successful construction of the new South End Branch, which opened in July 2012, and the feasibility study of a new main branch downtown. On April 8, 2020 Paul was appointed to The Council of The College of Psychologists of Ontario. Paul is fluent in both English and Italian. He is currently an active member of the Marchigiana Association of Sudbury as well as a 35-year member of the Knights of Columbus.

MINDY CATERINA

Mindy Caterina is a Toronto and Hamilton based lawyer with a practice which focuses on appeals, professional discipline, and criminal/regulatory matters. Prior to starting her law practice, she was an appellate lawyer with two boutique firms and a federal prosecutor. She has argued cases before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Tax Court of Canada, and has intervened in a case before the Supreme Court of Canada.

JAMES MINNS

James Minns is a lawyer who currently serves as an independent mediator, arbitrator, adjudicator, and appraisal umpire working with parties involved in a wide range of commercial disputes. James’ ADR practice includes commercial litigation, insurance law, construction law, real property law, and intellectual property law disputes. James is skilled at dealing with disputes ranging from simple one-party disputes to complex multi-party, multi-issue disputes. James’ education includes an LL.M. (Osgoode, 2002), an MBA (Toronto, 1995) and an LL.B. (UWO, 1980). James holds a Q. Med and Q. Arb. designation from ADRIC and is a Fellow with the CIArb (FCIArb.).

MATTHEW LETOURNEAU

Matthew Létourneau is a part-time member with the Licence Appeal Tribunal as well as the Animal Care Review Board, the Fire Safety Commission and the Ontario Parole Board. He is the French Services Lead for Tribunals Ontario. Mr. Létourneau is a lawyer and member of the Law Society of Ontario. He practices employment, labour and administrative law in Ontario and Federally, in both French and English. He holds a Bilingual Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Alberta’s Faculty St. Jean and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law’s French Common Law Program. Mr. Létourneau is active in the French Language Community of Ontario with over a decade of volunteer involvement.

STEPHEN EATON

Stephen Eaton is a lawyer and principal of his firm practicing family law. In 2020 he was appointed as a Public Member of the College of Nurses of Ontario. He volunteers as a mentor for law students participating in the Walsh Cup Family Law Negotiation Competition, and as a Volunteer Lawyer with the Chinese Christian Mission of Canada. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School, as well as a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business.

GARY HOUGHTON

Gary Houghton is a former Director of Engineering for Norfolk County, and a former President and Principal for Gary O. Houghton Consulting Ltd. His community involvement has included serving as President of Ontario Water Works Association.

RYAN DELISLE

Ryan Delisle is a master electrician and senior project manager with over 10 years’ experience running large-scale projects in the automotive and industrial sectors. In addition to his trade, Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Brock University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Fredericton. He is a committee member for section 32 of the Canadian Electrical Code and sits on the board of the Contractor Advisory Council for the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).

NICOLE GAJRAJ

Nicole Gajraj is an accomplished public servant, having worked with the Centre of Forensic Sciences as a Senior Forensic Scientist. Following this, Ms Gajraj conducted investigations under the provisions of The Law Society Act with the Law Society of Ontario's Professional Regulations Department. Most recently, her work has focused on combating human trafficking for five Police Services in Grey and Bruce County. Ms Gajraj holds a Master in Public Policy, Administration and Law (MPPAL) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Justice System Administration (GradDIP). She has testified as an expert witness at all levels of Court in Ontario and has been a visiting Instructor with the Ontario Police College. Her community involvement has included being a Director with Crime Stoppers and a member of The Blue Mountains Arts and Culture Council. Ms Gajraj is a proud advocate for the LGBTQ community.

ALISA CHAPLICK

Alisa Chaplick has a range of experience in adjudication. She is the Vice-Chair of the Discipline Committee of the Home Construction Regulatory Authority. In addition, she is a Member of both the Discipline Committee and the Registration Committee of the Professional Engineers Ontario and a Member of the Discipline Committee of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Ms. Chaplick was formerly a member of the City of Toronto Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal. She has worked as an Investigation Counsel at the Law Society of Ontario, Legal Counsel at the Ontario Realty Corporation and as an Associate at Goldman Sloan Nash & Haber LLP. She has also served as a Law Clerk at the Federal Court of Canada. Ms. Chaplick received her LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School and her LL.M from New York University School of Law.

JAMES RHODES

James Rhodes is a lawyer that has been practicing for almost 22 years. He graduated with a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Toronto and subsequently went on to pursue a law degree that was granted in 1998 from University of Manitoba. His articling was completed at the Tax Court of Canada and he was called to the Ontario bar in 1999. James Rhodes has worked at the accounting firms of KMPG and PwC, and then worked for the Federal Department of Justice representing the government. Subsequently, he worked as a sole proprietor and then worked at Miller Thomson developing a tax dispute practice. Currently, he works as a sole proprietor under the name TaxationLawyers representing individuals, corporations, and municipal entities across Canada at the audit, appeals, and before the Tax Court of Canada and Federal Court of Appeal.

RON KATZ

Ron Katz is an experienced adjudicator, who first joined Tribunals Ontario in 2021 as a part member of the Criminal Injury Compensation Board. In January 2022 he was appointed as a part time member of the Social Benefits Tribunal, where he remains, cross-appointed with the Animal Care Review Board and Fire Safety Commission. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his family, playing and watching sports.

MARK SRAGA

Mark Sraga, of Caledon, is a former Director of Building Services and Municipal Law Enforcement Department and former Chief Building Official for the Town of Caledon. He is also a former Director of Investigation Services and former Deputy Chief Building Official for the City of Toronto.

FRANÇOIS HENRIE

François Henrie is a fluently bilingual lawyer and a member of both the Law Society of Ontario and the Barreau du Québec, he holds a Bachelor of Science (Biology), a Bachelor of Economics, a Bachelor of Common Law and a Bachelor of Civil Law. Over the past 22 years, he worked with a Federal Crown corporation and most recently as Assistant General Counsel at Export Development Canada, a federal crown agency. He is a graduate and holds a Lean Six-Sigma Greenbelt from the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University.

PETER SIMMONS

Peter Simmons is an experienced public sector executive serving as Chief Administrative Officer, Commissioner and Vice-President with municipal, regional, and provincial governments at operational and corporate administrative levels. Preceded by 10 years of construction management experience he is also the former Director of Municipal and Community Engagement with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). A graduate of universities in Canada, the US and UK, he holds both Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees and is active in the community having served as past Vice-Chair of the Canadian Mental Health Association (Peel-Dufferin), and currently as a Director with the Brantford Symphony Orchestra.

PETER DANIELSON

Peter Danielson, of Hamilton, is a member of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (C.E.T.). He is the former Senior Building Inspector with the City of Hamilton. His community involvement includes serving as a coach with the Mount Hamilton Soccer Association.

ANXHELA (ANGELA) PECO

Anxhela (Angela) Peco is a Toronto-based lawyer and policy professional, working primarily in the field of professional regulation. She earned her law degree from the University of Ottawa and holds a Master of Public Administration from Queen’s University. Ms. Peco currently volunteers on the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Mass Disaster Response.

ASHLEY DEATHE

Ashley (Ash) Deathe is a lawyer and workplace investigator in Ottawa, having appeared at all levels of court as well as various boards and tribunals. Most recently, she was one of the counsels to the Independent Assessor under the Merlo Davidson class action settlement agreement, addressing claims related to gender- and sexual orientation-based harassment and discrimination towards women in the RCMP from 1974 to 2017. She is a graduate of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law, and was called to the bar in 2009. She holds a Master of Law from New York University. In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Deathe volunteers on the boards of several charitable organizations.

CLAUDINE WILSON

Claudine Wilson is a lawyer who practices child protection law and is currently the Director of Legal Services for the local child protection agency. Beyond her legal career, Ms. Wilson is dedicated to public service and has served on various Boards, Committees and Advisory Councils ranging from the Windsor Police Service Consultation Committee, to the Community Legal Aid Advisory Board, among others. She has also volunteered as Chair of the Child Youth and Family Services Act Sub-Committee for the Ontario Court of Justice (Windsor) and served in an adjudicative capacity as the Chair for the Discipline and Fitness to Practice Committee of the Council for the College of Dieticians of Ontario. Ms. Wilson also routinely volunteers her time assisting charitable initiatives which serve at-risk youth and senior populations. Ms. Wilson earned her law degree from the University of Windsor. She holds a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University in Washington D.C., as well as a Certificate in Fundamentals of Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Law from Osgoode Hall.

DEBRA BACKSTEIN

Debra Backstein graduated from the University of Toronto in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1998 Debra graduated with an LLB from the University of Western Ontario and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1998. Debra has practiced civil litigation in Toronto for over 20 years. In her career, she has represented both the insurance companies as well as plaintiffs. She continues to be a lawyer and a member of the Law Society of Ontario.

SEAN WEIR

Sean Weir was CEO of Canada’s largest national law firm from 2000 to July 1, 2018. In his legal practice, Mr. Weir advised financial institutions, corporations and major pension funds. Active in his community, Mr. Weir served as an elected Councillor of the Town of Oakville, a director of the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and a Director and Chair of Oakville Hydro. Mr. Weir was named a “Diversity Champion” by Women of Influence Magazine, received the Lexpert Zenith Managing Partner Award for Corporate Social Responsibility and was listed in the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada.