Important Information for Applicants to Participate (Standing)

When are the Participation (Standing) Hearings?

The Participation (Standing) Hearings (the “Hearings”) will be held on December 12 and 13, 2017. 

Where are the Hearings being held?

The Hearings will be held in Courtroom 201 of the Elgin County Courthouse, located at 4 Wellington Street in St. Thomas, Ontario.  

What are the Hearings’ hours?

The Hearings will run from 10:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. There will be a morning break from 11:30-11:45 a.m., a lunch break from 1:00-2:15 p.m., and an afternoon break from 3:30-3:45 p.m.  

NOTE:  On December 12, the first day of the Hearings, all Applicants should arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. and proceed to Courtroom 201.  When you arrive at Courtroom 201, please see either Will McDowell (Lead Commission Counsel) or Rebecca Jones (Commission Counsel) to sign in.

Will the Hearings be recorded?

The hearings will not be video recorded, but they will be transcribed. 

Who will have access to the transcripts?

The transcripts will be posted on the Inquiry’s website. They will be available to the public at large.  

Will Applicants have a chance to speak at the Hearings?

Yes. Each Applicant will have 2-3 minutes to explain the basis on which they seek to participate in the Inquiry’s public hearings.  Your remarks should explain whether:

• You have a substantial and direct interest in the subject matter of the Inquiry;
• You are likely to be notified of a possible finding of misconduct under section 17 of the Public Inquiries Act, 2009;
• Your participation would further the conduct of the Inquiry; and/or
• Your participation would contribute to the openness and fairness of the Inquiry.  

Will the Commissioner ask Applicants questions? 

The Commissioner may ask you three kinds of questions.

• Questions to clarify your request to participate.

• Questions about how you wish to participate in the Inquiry’s Public Hearings. 

For example, the Commissioner may ask whether you wish to:

• Make an opening statement;
• Sit at the tables reserved for counsel;
• Introduce evidence and, if so, what kinds of evidence and on what matters;
• Cross-examine witnesses; and/or
• Make closing submissions, either orally or in writing.

• If you have asked that the Commissioner recommend that you be given funding to participate, she may also ask you questions about that request. 

For example, the Commissioner may ask:

• Why you would not be able to participate in the hearing without funding;
• How much funding are you seeking; and
• The purpose(s) for which you would use the funding.

When will I find out the result of my application to participate (standing)?

The Commissioner’s rulings on applications to participate (standing) will be posted on the Inquiry’s website in mid-January, 2018. Each Applicant will be sent an email notification informing them when the Commissioner’s rulings have been posted.

When will I find out the result of my request for funding?

The Commissioner’s recommendations on funding will be posted on the Inquiry’s website in mid-January, 2018.  Each Applicant will be sent an email notification informing them when the Commissioner’s recommendations have been posted.

After the Commissioner has made her funding recommendations to the Attorney General, it will be up to the Attorney General to decide whether or not to accept those recommendations.