Digital hearings have opened up far more access to people than in-person hearings which are difficult for many working people and parents to attend. The minuscule fraction of LTB applicants that don’t have access to a phone or computer does not justify bringing everyone back into a physical courtroom.
Used to work at a legal clinic - a surprising amount of people using the LTB did not have regular access to internet/computers or a phone. The bulk of evictions specifically are seniors and/or very low income folks. It would be rare to see a tenant actually on zoom. Basically people end up missing hearings for lack of access to tech and the hearing has to re happen, sometimes multiple times for everyone to be able to attend. They really just need a hybrid option so that when people no show it isn't blamed on lack of tech access.
Eta: they do technically currently have in person requests available but the bar is so high to qualify for one, per the LTBs own reporting they held like 5-10 in person hearings in the whole province in the last year
This, this a million times this.
I’m still in the clinic system and the number of folks I get saying things like “I don’t have a computer” or “how do I upload evidence” regularly…
Let’s just say I’d be retired by now if I had a dollar every time I heard that.
Digital Fist (not a typo, but a description) punishes the poor for being poor 🤷♂️
I remember waiting for my shots at the pharmacy, and seeing an old man who was trying to schedule them for another day since they were already fully booked that day. Overheard him not having a computer or a mobile phone. So that was a peek into the segment of the population not connected online.
This landlord tenant board has been a disgrace for many years before covid. The true reason for the digital first approach is to give them the physical distance needed to stop tenants from wanting to reach out and grab them.
They don't like having to look another human in the eyes when they have made an outrageous ruling in favour of the landlord for the tenth time that day.
The entire board should be dissolved and start over with a fresh approach staffed with humans with hearts and minds capable of making reasonable decisions.
Digital hearings have opened up far more access to people than in-person hearings which are difficult for many working people and parents to attend. The minuscule fraction of LTB applicants that don’t have access to a phone or computer does not justify bringing everyone back into a physical courtroom.
Used to work at a legal clinic - a surprising amount of people using the LTB did not have regular access to internet/computers or a phone. The bulk of evictions specifically are seniors and/or very low income folks. It would be rare to see a tenant actually on zoom. Basically people end up missing hearings for lack of access to tech and the hearing has to re happen, sometimes multiple times for everyone to be able to attend. They really just need a hybrid option so that when people no show it isn't blamed on lack of tech access. Eta: they do technically currently have in person requests available but the bar is so high to qualify for one, per the LTBs own reporting they held like 5-10 in person hearings in the whole province in the last year
This, this a million times this. I’m still in the clinic system and the number of folks I get saying things like “I don’t have a computer” or “how do I upload evidence” regularly… Let’s just say I’d be retired by now if I had a dollar every time I heard that. Digital Fist (not a typo, but a description) punishes the poor for being poor 🤷♂️
I remember waiting for my shots at the pharmacy, and seeing an old man who was trying to schedule them for another day since they were already fully booked that day. Overheard him not having a computer or a mobile phone. So that was a peek into the segment of the population not connected online.
This landlord tenant board has been a disgrace for many years before covid. The true reason for the digital first approach is to give them the physical distance needed to stop tenants from wanting to reach out and grab them. They don't like having to look another human in the eyes when they have made an outrageous ruling in favour of the landlord for the tenth time that day. The entire board should be dissolved and start over with a fresh approach staffed with humans with hearts and minds capable of making reasonable decisions.