Strengthening Ontario's Social Benefits Appeals System
July 27, 2009 10:00 AM
McGuinty Government Nominates New Chair To Tribunal
Gary Yee has been nominated for appointment as the new chair of the Social Benefits Tribunal, Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services Madeleine Meilleur announced today.
The Social Benefits Tribunal hears appeals by Ontarians who disagree with a decision that affects the amount of, or their eligibility for social assistance. The tribunal is an independent body that operates at arm's length from the ministry.
Gary Yee was at the Immigration and Refugee Board as a special advisor for the past ten years. He previously served as the chair of the board that heard public complaints regarding police misconduct in Ontario. In 1999, Yee received the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators Medal for his contributions to Ontario's administrative justice system. Yee also served as an executive director of a legal clinic as well as manager of legal services for the Ombudsman of Ontario.
QUICK FACTS
- The Social Benefits Tribunal received 11,669 appeals for both the Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works in 2008.
- The Social Benefits Tribunal has offices in Toronto, London, Ottawa and Hamilton and members frequently travel to smaller communities to hear appeals.
LEARN MORE
ontario.ca/community
"The tribunal plays an important role in helping to resolve issues related to social assistance in Ontario. I am confident that Gary's extensive experience and leadership will strengthen the work of the tribunal."
– Madeleine Meilleur
Minister of Community and Social Services
"I have been closely involved in the administrative justice community for 25 years, and I look forward to the honour and the challenge of leading the tribunal. The impact of the decisions made by this tribunal is a compelling demonstration of why tribunals matter so much to so many people in Ontario."
– Gary Yee
newly-nominated chair of the Ontario Social Benefits Tribunal
Communities
