Rules of Procedure for the
Farm Products Appeal Tribunal
Ontario Drainage Tribunal
Farm Organizations Accreditation Tribunal
Crop Insurance Appeal Board

1. by personal service;
2. by prepaid regular, certified or registered mail addressed to the person's last known address;
3. by courier addressed to the person's last known address;
4. by facsimile transmission to the person's last known facsimile number but only if the notice or document, inclusive of the cover sheet, does not exceed 16 pages or, if longer, the recipient consents; or
5. by electronic mail transmission to an address identified by the recipient, but only if the notice or document, inclusive of the cover sheet, does not exceed 16 pages or, if longer, the recipient consents; or
6. by any other means authorized or permitted by the Tribunal.

1. on the fifth day after the notice or document is mailed using the regular, certified or registered mail services of Canada Post Corporation;
2. on the day of transmission if sent by facsimile transmission before 4:00 p.m. or the day after transmission if sent by facsimile transmission after 4:00 p.m.; or
3. on the third day which is not a holiday or a Staurday or a Sunday following the day on which the notice or document was given to a courier service for delivery: or
4. on the day personal service is made.

1. with the consent of the parties, order the appeals to be consolidated or heard at the same time; or
2. hear one immediately after the other, or stay or adjourn any matter until the determination of any other matter.

1. the suitability of the electronic technology to the subject matter of the hearing;
2. whether the electronic format is suitable for the evidence to be presented at the hearing, including whether credibility is an issue and the extent to which facts are in dispute;
3. the extent to which the matters in dispute are questions of law;
4. the convenience of the parties;
5. the cost, efficiency and timeliness of the proceeding;
6. avoidance of unnecessary delay or a lengthy hearing;
7. ensuring a fair and understandable process;
8. the desirability or necessity of public participation in or public access to the hearing process; or
9. any other factors affecting the fulfilment of the Tribunal's statutory mandate.

1. a statement of the time and purpose of the hearing and details of the manner in which the hearing will be conducted;
2. a statement that the only purpose of the hearing is to deal with procedural matters, if that is the case;
3. if clause (b) is not applicable, a statement that any party may require the Tribunal to hold the hearing as an oral hearing by satisfying the Tribunal that holding the hearing as an electronic hearing is likely to cause the party significant prejudice and an indication of the procedure to be followed for that purpose;
4. a statement that if the party notified neither acts under clause (c), if applicable, nor participates in the hearing in accordance with the notice, the Tribunal may proceed without the party's participation and the party will not be entitled to any further notice in the proceeding;
5. a statement that the hearing will be open to the public unless the Tribunal directs otherwise in accordance with section 9 of the SPPA; and
6. any other information about the appeal the Tribunal considers advisable.

1. accept the objection, cancel the electronic hearing and either schedule an oral hearing or, with the consent of all the parties schedule a written hearing;
2. if the Tribunal is satisfied that no significant prejudice will result it may reject the objection without inviting responses from the other parties and proceed with the electronic hearing; or
3. provide the other parties with an opportunity to respond to the objection and, after considering the objection and all the responses, reject the objection and continue with the electronic hearing or accept the objection and schedule an oral hearing or, with the consent of all of the parties, schedule a written hearing.