Office of the Fairness Commissioner
The answers seen below were submitted to the OFC by the regulated professions.
This Fair Registration Practices Report was produced as required by:
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the Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades Act, 2006 (FARPACTA), s. 20 and 23(1), for regulated professions named in Schedule 1 of FARPACTA
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the Health Professions Procedural Code set out in Schedule 2 of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), s. 22.7 (1) and 22.9(1), for health colleges.
Index
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Qualitative Information
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Quantitative Information
1. Qualitative Information
a) Requirements for registration, including acceptable alternatives
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
No changes this year
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
No changes this year
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
No changes this year
b) Assessment of qualifications
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
No changes this year
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
No changes this year
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
No changes this year
c) Provision of timely decisions, responses, and reasons
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
No changes this year
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
No changes this year
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
No changes this year
d) Fees
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
No changes this year
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
No changes this year
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
No changes this year
e) Timelines
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
Licensing and Accreditation now clearly advises candidates making a request what the timeline is and when they shall receive a written decision or feedback. The processing timelines and expectations are available on the website, as well as in auto-generated emails to candidates making an inquiry or request. Types of requests include submitting a change to registration, term extensions, an additional attempt on an examination, reinstatement, accommodations and general response timelines when communicating with the Licensing and Accreditation Department.
Generally, the Licensing Process unit endeavours to respond to all communication within two business days (except during peak periods) and for other inquiries regarding special consideration or reinstatement, within 10 business days.
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
Response and decision timelines are clearly indicated on the website and in various written communications so that applicants can effectively plan and prepare for the Law Society's Licensing Process.
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
The Law Society is expecting that this will alleviate any potential frustration or uncertainty on the part of the applicant/candidate and allow the Society to manage their expectations appropriately.
f) Policies, procedures and/or processes, including by-laws
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
No changes this year
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
No changes this year
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
No changes this year
g) Resources for applicants
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
In early 2018, in collaboration with the Law Society’s Equity and Communications departments, the Articling Office created and implemented a tip sheet for lawyer and paralegal candidates, articling principals and field placement supervisors titled “Preventing and Addressing Harassment and Discrimination”. The tip sheet for lawyer and paralegal licensing candidates and their supervisors serves to address the underlying issue of sexual harassment and racial and gender discrimination within the legal professions and bring attention to the matter for all stakeholders involved in the experiential training program for lawyers. The tip sheet also draws attention to the role of the Discrimination and Harassment Counsel Program on providing assistance to anyone who may have experienced discrimination or harassment on human rights grounds by a licensee, or a student member of the Law Society of Ontario.
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
All licensing candidates and supervisors are now provided with specific information about their rights and obligations as it pertains to ensuring that candidates are undertaking experiential training in a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment. The resource provides a detailed list of the available resources with a clear explanation (in an easily accessible chart-format) of what that resource can and cannot offer. This resource assists candidates with understanding and obtaining resources more effectively and efficiently.
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
No changes this year
h) Review or appeal processes
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
No changes this year
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
No changes this year
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
No changes this year
i) Access to applicant records
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
No changes this year
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
No changes this year
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
No changes this year
j) Training and resources for registration staff, Council, and committee members
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
Law Society staff attended a number of relevant conferences, training events and regulatory industry events, including but not limited to Ontario Regulators for Access Consortium (ORAC) Managing Cultural Differences Workshops, ORAC sessions on top legal issues for regulators and testing accommodations, Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR) Annual and Regional conferences, Canadian Network for Agencies for Regulation (CNAR) Annual conference, National Association of Law Placement (NALP) meetings, Schulich School of Business Certificate in Management Skills for Supervisors, and National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). Staff also participated in internal training focussed on best practices in accommodations, mental health, the indigenous candidate experience, emerging issues relating to the transgender candidate experience and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion training.
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
Staff remain apprised of best practices in registration, licensure, accommodation and demographic changes and apply these principles to their handling of candidate applications. Additionally, as a result of new requirements to support cultural competence, and issues of equality, diversity and inclusion, new training and education has been provided to support staff competence in these areas when assisting applicants entering the Law Society’s licensing processes.
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
Staff remain apprised of best practices in registration, licensure and accommodation and apply these principles to their handling of candidate applications. New training initiatives assist staff with meeting new governance requirements for addressing the challenges faced by racialized applicants in the licensing process.
k) Mutual recognition agreements
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
No changes this year
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
No changes this year
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
No changes this year
l) Other (include as many items as applicable)
i. Describe any improvements / changes implemented in the last year.
No changes this year
ii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on applicants.
No changes this year
iii. Describe the impact of the improvements / changes on your organization.
No changes this year
Describe any registration-related improvements/changes to your enabling legislation and/or regulations in the last year
No changes this year
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2. Quantitative Information
a) Languages
Indicate the languages in which application information materials were available in the reporting year.
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Language
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Yes/No
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English
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Yes
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French
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Yes
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Other (please specify)
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|
Additional comments:
b) Gender of applicants
Indicate the number of applicants in each category as applicable.
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Gender
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Number of Applicants
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Male
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370
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Female
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1046
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None of the above
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0
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Additional comments:
c) Gender of members
Indicate the number of members in each category as applicable. Select the option that best corresponds to the terminology used by your organization.
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Gender
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Number of Members
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Male
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4000
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Female
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7343
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None of the above
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0
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Additional comments:
d) Jurisdiction where applicants obtained their initial education
Indicate the number of applicants by the jurisdiction where they obtained their initial education1 in the profession or trade.
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Ontario
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Other Canadian Provinces
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USA
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Other International
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Unknown
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Total
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1416
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0
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0
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n/a 0
Total 0
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0
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1416
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1 Recognizing that applicants may receive their education in multiple jurisdictions, for the purpose of this question, include only the jurisdiction in which an entry-level degree, diploma or other certification required to practice the profession or trade was obtained.
Additional comments:
e) Jurisdiction where applicants who became registered members obtained their initial education
Indicate the number of applicants who became registered members in the reporting year by the jurisdiction where they obtained their initial education1 in the profession or trade.
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Ontario
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Other Canadian Provinces
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USA
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Other International
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Unknown
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Total
|
|
931
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0
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0
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n/a 0
Total 0
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0
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931
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1 Recognizing that applicants may receive their education in multiple jurisdictions, for the purpose of this question, include only the jurisdiction in which an entry-level degree, diploma or other certification required to practice the profession or trade was obtained.
Additional comments:
f) Jurisdiction where members were initially trained
Indicate the total number of registered members by jurisdiction where they obtained their initial education1 in the profession or trade.
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Ontario
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Other Canadian Provinces
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USA
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Other International
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Unknown
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Total
|
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11,343
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0
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n/a 0
Total 0
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0
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11,343
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1 Recognizing that applicants may receive their education in multiple jurisdictions, for the purpose of this question, include only the jurisdiction in which an entry-level degree, diploma or other certification required to practice the profession or trade was obtained.
Additional comments:
g) Applications processed
Indicate the number of applications your organization processed in the reporting year:
Jurisdiction where applicants were initially trained in the profession (before they were granted use of the protected title or professional designation in Ontario)
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from January 1st to December 31st of the reporting year
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Ontario
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Other Canadian Provinces
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USA
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Other International
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Unknown
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Total
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New applications received
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1416
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0
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0
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0
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0
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1416
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Applicants actively pursuing licensing (applicants who had some contact with your organization in the reporting year)
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1314
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0
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0
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0
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0
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1314
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Inactive applicants (applicants who had no contact with your organization in the reporting year)
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Applicants who met all requirements and were authorized to become members but did not become members
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Applicants who became FULLY registered members
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931
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0
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0
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0
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0
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931
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Applicants who were authorized to receive an alternative class of licence3 but were not issued a licence
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
|
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Applicants who were issued an alternative class of licence3
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0
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0
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0
|
0
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0
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0
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1 An alternative class of licence enables its holder to practice with limitations, but additional requirements must be met in order for the member to be fully licensed.
Additional comments:
Pursuant to By-Law 4, candidates are entitled to 3 years to complete the licensing process requirements. Therefore, the number of candidates actively pursuing licensing at any given time will exceed the number of applicants in a reporting year.
h) Classes of certificate/license
Indicate and provide a description of the classes of certificate/license offered by your organization.
You must specify and describe at least one class of certificate/license (on line a) in order for this step to be complete.
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#
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Certification
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Description
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a)
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P1
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A licensee who holds a P1 Licence is entitled to:
1. Give a party advice on his, her or its legal interests, rights or responsibilities with respect to a proceeding or the subject matter of a proceeding.
2. Represent a party before,
i. in the case of a proceeding in the Small Claims Court, before the Small Claims Court,
ii. in the case of a proceeding under the Provincial Offences Act, before the Ontario Court of Justice,
iii in the case of a proceeding under the Criminal Code, before a summary conviction court,
iv. in the case of a proceeding before a tribunal established under an Act of the Legislature of Ontario or under an Act of Parliament, before the tribunal, and
v. in the case of a proceeding before a person dealing with a claim or a matter related to a claim, before the person.
3. Anything mentioned in subsection 1 (7) of the Act, provided the activity is required by the rules of procedure governing a proceeding.
4. Select, draft, complete or revise, or assist in the selection, drafting, completion or revision of, a document for use in a proceeding.
5. Negotiate a party’s legal interests, rights or responsibilities with respect to a proceeding or the subject matter of a proceeding.
6. Select, draft, complete or revise, or assist in the selection, drafting, completion or revision of, a document that affects a party’s legal interests, rights or responsibilities with respect to a proceeding or
the subject matter of a proceeding.
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Additional comments:
i) Reviews and appeals processed
State the number of reviews and appeals your organization processed in the reporting year (use only whole numbers; do not enter commas or decimals).
Jurisdiction where applicants were initially trained in the profession (before they were granted use of the protected title or professional designation in Ontario)
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from January 1st to December 31st of the reporting year
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Ontario
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Other Canadian Provinces
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USA
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Other International
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Unknown
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Total
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Applications that were subject to an internal review or that were referred to a statutory committee of your governing council, such as a Registration Committee
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205
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0
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0
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0
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0
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205
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Applicants who initiated an appeal of a registration decision
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Appeals heard
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0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Registration decisions changed following an appeal
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Additional comments:
j) Paid Staff
In the table below, enter the number of paid staff employed by your organization in the categories shown, on December 31 of the reporting year.
When providing information for each of the categories in this section, you may want to use decimals if you count your staff using half units. For example, one full-time employee and one part-time employee might be equivalent to 1.5 employees.
You can enter decimals to the tenths position only. For example, you can enter 1.5 or 7.5 but not 1.55 or 7.52.
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Category
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Staff
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Total staff employed by the regulatory body
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643
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Staff involved in appeals process
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163
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Staff involved in registration process
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39
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Additional comments:
The number of staff indicated in the Appeals Process area above refers to the department that handles the Good Character Review procedures, which are a pre-requisite to licensure.
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If you have specific questions about the Licensing Process, you may contact:
Licensing and Accreditation - Professional Development and Competence Department
Law Society of Ontario
130 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N6
Email: licensingprocess@lso.ca
Telephone: 416-947-3315 Toll Free: 1-800-668-7380, extension 3315