Examining Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board Crisis: Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) stands as a poignant symbol of systemic failure in our province's administrative justice system. Since 2019, when the current government initiated a series of changes, including the removal of experienced adjudicators and the transfer of the LTB under the purview of Tribunals Ontario, the situation has only deteriorated.
These numbers speak for themselves:
Fiscal year | Applications received | Applications resolved | Applications outstanding |
2018/19 | 82.095 | 79,476 | 14,276 |
2019/20 | 80,874 | 72,064 | 22,803 |
2020/21 | 48,422 | 35,983 | 34,731 |
2021/22 | 61,586 | 61,868 | 32,800 |
2022/23 | 73,208 | 52,986 | 53,507 |
The most recent Annual Report from Tribunals Ontario paints a bleak picture, revealing a staggering backlog of over 53,000 LTB applications. Despite substantial increases in funding, staffing, and the number of adjudicators—rising from approximately 53 in 2018 to 85 in 2022—delays persist, and the number of cases resolved annually continues to decline.
The alarming increase in wait times is perhaps the most glaring indication of the crisis at hand. Average wait times for eviction orders have skyrocketed, with landlords now facing an excruciating wait of 342 days, compared to just 32 days in 2018. For tenants, the situation is even bleaker, with wait times averaging 427 days and some cases languishing unresolved for over two years.
Furthermore, the efficiency of the LTB's call center has drastically diminished, with wait times exceeding three times the average reported in 2018/19, despite answering only half the number of calls.
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The decline in applications resolved each year is equally troubling, reflecting a clear pattern of diminished service. Since 2018/19, there has been a consistent downward trend in the number of applications resolved, even as the backlog continues to swell.
The lack of transparency and accountability further compounds the problem. Tribunals Ontario's reporting practices raise significant concerns, with discrepancies between reported data and the stark realities faced by Ontarians. The absence of up-to-date information on the LTB's performance on Tribunals Ontario's website only adds to the opacity surrounding the situation.
Tribunal Watch Ontario advocates for clarity and accountability in the performance of our public institutions, particularly those tasked with administering justice to thousands of Ontarians annually. As the largest cluster of justice agencies in the province, Tribunals Ontario must uphold the highest standards of transparency and efficacy.
This series sheds light on the multifaceted issues plaguing the LTB under Tribunals Ontario's leadership. Subsequent installments will delve deeper into the contributing factors behind this crisis and propose actionable solutions to address them.
In conclusion, the erosion of justice at the LTB demands immediate attention and decisive action. Ontarians deserve better—a justice system that is efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.
Stay tuned for the next installment, where we dissect the factors fueling the LTB crisis at Tribunals Ontario.
Share your thoughts and experiences with the LTB crisis in the comments below.