By
Pace Law

FSCO Finally Doing Something About Meditation Backlog

March 15, 2013

Toronto Personal Injury Lawyer Alex Voudouris: I read with interest this piece from Canadian Underwriter:

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario is reaching the midway point of a six-month pilot aimed at streamlining part of its mediation process and saving mediators’ time.

Effective Jan. 2, the pilot program allows the parties involved in mediation who have already been assigned mediation dates, or who have files more than 50 days old, to go through one e-mail address to request rescheduling or adjournment.

“We introduced this pilot project to ensure primarily that we could continue to clear the backlog as quickly as possible while still offering mediation within the required 60 day timeline,” said Kristen Rose, a spokesperson for FSCO.

If you have been reading my bulletins, you’ll know that I have been demanding change on the mediation backlog issue for a long time.

It is heartening to know that after years of intolerable backlogs that only helped insurers and delayed the delivery of any form of justice to the insured, that FSCO is finally doing something.

Of course, FSCO first tried to ignore the issue. Then they resisted change by opposing every attempt to make them comply with the clear and unequivocal legislative requirement that mediations must take place within 60 days of the Application for Mediation. Then they ignored Arbitrator Rogers’ decision in Leone and State Farm Insurance, as well as Director’s Delegate Blackman’s decision in the same case on appeal – both of which I successfully argued.

Accordingly, only after more delay and more justice denied, did FSCO finally change its way once the Court of Appeal for Ontario in Cornie vs. State Farm Insurance essentially upheld Leone and other similar decisions.

So I wish FSCO well. I hope that in the future, they will listen more carefully to those of us who have been litigating Accident Benefit claims since their inception more than 20 years ago.

Share This Post
Email
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Trending Posts
Read More Insights
Wills And Estates
By
Pace Law
Estate planning, essential for ensuring posthumous wishes are met, remains an area 70% of Canadians neglect. This deficiency largely stems from misconceptions, such as believing estate planning is only for the wealthy or thinking they’re too young to start.
Criminal Defence Law
By
Pace Law
In Ontario, adherence to driving regulations is critical for public safety, but violations occur, leading to criminal charges.
Wills And Estates
By
Angela Barrientos
Have you ever thought about estate planning and concluded it’s unnecessary because you don’t own any real estate?
Corporate and Personal Law
By
Pace Law
A Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) is an integral document used when the shares of a corporation are being purchased. The document outlines the agreement between the buyer and seller and can be quite complex.
Wills And Estates
By
Angela Barrientos
A will is a legal document that clearly states how a person’s property and belongings will be divided after their passing.

Get in Touch

Call us now or fill out the form to discuss your case with an experienced legal professional.

Our Locations

Office Location

191 The West Mall, Suite 1100
Toronto, ON M9C 5K8
Phone: 1-877-236-3060
Fax: 416-236-1809

Office Location

191 The West Mall, Suite 1100
Toronto, ON M9C 5K8
Phone: 1-877-236-3060
Fax: 416-236-1809

Scroll to Top