[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "does%20the%20Human%20Rights%20Tribunal%20of%20Ontario%20have%20a%20practice%20direction%20on%20whether%20and%20when%20a%20hearing%20on%20a%20human%20rights%20complaint%20can%20be%20recorded%20by%20a%20party%20to%20the%20case%2C%20and%20whether%20and%20when%20it%20can%20be%20livestreamed%20so%20the%20public%20can%20watch%20the%20hearing%2C%20which%20is%20supposed%20to%20be%20public%3F%20if%20so%2C%20tell%20me%20what%20it%20says%20and%20give%20me%20a%20link%20to%20it.%20Also%2C%20does%20Tribunals%20Ontario%20have%20a%20practice%20direction%20or%20policy%20on%20these%20topics%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s what I found about the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) and Tribunals Ontario policies regarding:\n\n- whether a party may record a hearing,  \n- whether hearings may be livestreamed for public observation, and  \n- what those policies/practice directions say (with links).\n\n---\n\n## HRTO Policy: \u201cPractice Direction on Recording Hearings\u201d\n\nHRTO has a formal **Practice Direction on Recording Hearings**, effective as of **July 1, 2024**, which addresses recording by the tribunal, by parties, and by court reporters. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))\n\nHere are the key provisions:\n\n1. **Tribunal-recorded hearings (audio):**  \n   - HRTO *may* record in-person or electronic hearings (audio recordings) under **Rule 3.7**. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))  \n   - Recordings are for *internal HRTO use only*, used for carrying out tribunal functions and quality assurance. Not available to parties or the public. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))  \n   - The tribunal will *not* record \u201cpre-hearing events\u201d such as case management conference calls, mediations, or settlement discussions. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Recording as accommodation under the Human Rights Code:**  \n   - HRTO may record when necessary to accommodate needs of adjudicator, a party or a representative under the Code. An accommodation request form is required. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n3. **Self-recording (by a party) & transcripts:**  \n   - If a party wishes to record the hearing themselves, they must request permission **at least 10 days before the hearing**. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))  \n   - Such recordings/transcriptions are **not to be publicized**, nor used for any purpose other than in the proceeding before HRTO. They do *not* form part of HRTO\u2019s official record in the event of judicial review. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))  \n   - The party who records must share the copy with the other parties and, upon request, HRTO (at no cost). ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n4. **Court reporters & transcripts:**  \n   - If a party wants an official court reporter, they must notify HRTO and the other parties **in writing at least 10 days** before the hearing. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))  \n   - The party who retained the reporter pays for the transcript and must normally provide transcripts to HRTO and other parties. These transcripts become part of the tribunal\u2019s record and may be part of the record for judicial review. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n5. **Public / livestreaming availability:**  \n   - The Practice Direction does *not* provide for livestreaming hearings or providing recordings to the public. Indeed, recordings (by tribunal or parties) are expressly **not** available to the public. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nThus: **HRTO does have a Practice Direction covering recording**. It **permits recording** under certain conditions (tribunal-recorded, party-recorded with permission, accommodation, etc.), but **does not provide for livestreaming or public posting of recordings**. The public does have the right to hearings being \u201copen\u201d (i.e. the hearing proceedings are generally open to the public, unless otherwise ordered), but that doesn\u2019t translate into broadcasting or live streaming. ([stage.tribunalsontario.ca](https://stage.tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Anonymization%20of%20HRTO%20Decisions.html?utm_source=openai))\n\nYou can see the full Practice Direction here: \u201cPractice Direction on Recording Hearings\u201d HRTO. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Broader Tribunals Ontario Policy\n\n\u201cTribunals Ontario\u201d is the umbrella body for a number of tribunals in Ontario, including the HRTO. There is also a relevant **Operational Update** that applies more broadly. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/2024/06/28/to-operational-update-audio-recording-of-hearings-at-tribunals-ontario/?utm_source=openai))\n\nHere are the broad Tribunals Ontario policy points:\n\n- Effective **July 1, 2024**, many tribunals under Tribunals Ontario (including HRTO) will audio-record their hearings for **internal quality assurance**. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/2024/06/28/to-operational-update-audio-recording-of-hearings-at-tribunals-ontario/?utm_source=openai))  \n- The recording does *not* include \u201cpre-hearing events\u201d unless ordered otherwise. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/2024/06/28/to-operational-update-audio-recording-of-hearings-at-tribunals-ontario/?utm_source=openai))  \n- An individual (party) who wants to record hearings on their own must seek **approval** from the tribunal. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/2024/06/28/to-operational-update-audio-recording-of-hearings-at-tribunals-ontario/?utm_source=openai))  \n\nTherefore, Tribunals Ontario aligns with HRTO\u2019s policy and rules: tribunal-recording for internal use; party self-recording only with permission; no default public or livestreamed broadcast.\n\n---\n\n## Summary Table\n\n| Issue | HRTO/Tribunals Ontario Policy |\n|---|---|\n| Tribunal recording hearings (audio) | Permitted, for internal use (quality assurance, tribunal functions). Not publicly shared. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai)) |\n| Party recording (self-recording) | Allowed **if** party obtains prior permission (at least 10 days before hearing) for hearings. Not for publishing or public use. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai)) |\n| Transcripts / court reporter | Party can hire a court reporter with notice; must provide transcripts to HRTO and other parties. These become part of the record (especially for judicial review). ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai)) |\n| Public access / livestreaming | No policy allowing livestreaming to public or public release of recording. Hearings are generally open to public unless excluded by order, but open courtroom \u2260 livestream. ([stage.tribunalsontario.ca](https://stage.tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Hearings%20before%20the%20HRTO.html?utm_source=openai)) |\n\n---\n\nIf you want, I can check if there have been any challenge cases or recent amendments around livestreaming or observer access that might slightly alter this policy."
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "when%20the%20Human%20Rights%20Tribunal%20of%20Ontario%20holds%20a%20hearing%20on%20the%20merits%20of%20a%20human%20rights%20application%20on%20Zoom%20but%20not%20in%20person%2C%20has%20it%20ever%20livestreamed%20it%20or%20provided%20some%20way%20for%20members%20of%20the%20public%20to%20observe%20the%20hearing%20who%20are%20not%20parties%20or%20witnesses%20to%20the%20case%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "I searched for evidence that the HRTO has livestreamed any merits hearing held virtually (e.g. by Zoom) or routinely allowed public observation *during* such virtual hearings when the public is **not** a party or witness. I could not find any confirmed instance showing that HRTO has livestreamed or automatically allowed public remote observation of merits hearings conducted by Zoom. Here\u2019s a breakdown of what is known and what is not.\n\n---\n\n## What HRTO policies *do* say\n\nFrom HRTO\u2019s \u201cFAQ: How to Observe a Hearing\u201d document:\n\n- All HRTO proceedings **except** mediations and mediation-adjudications are open to the public unless an order closes the hearing. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/How%20to%20Observe%20a%20Hearing%20at%20the%20HRTO%20-%20Final%20for%20consultation.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n- The *Hearing Docket* provides the date, time, and format (in-person, teleconference, video conference) for each hearing. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/How%20to%20Observe%20a%20Hearing%20at%20the%20HRTO%20-%20Final%20for%20consultation.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n- To observe a hearing (which might be remote), the public must **contact HRTO** at least **7 days** in advance (via email or phone). HRTO staff will respond and may provide the link to attend (if possible) or help you otherwise attend a hearing of interest. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/How%20to%20Observe%20a%20Hearing%20at%20the%20HRTO%20-%20Final%20for%20consultation.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n\nThis suggests that remote observation is *possible*, at least in some hearings that are remote or video-conference format, subject to scheduling and notification. But this is not the same as livestreaming (broadcast to all, for free) in all cases.\n\n---\n\n## What HRTO policies *do not* include / what they explicitly disallow\n\nFrom the HRTO \u201cPractice Direction on Recording Hearings\u201d (effective July 1, 2024):\n\n- HRTO recordings are for **internal use only** and are *not available to parties or the public*. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))  \n- Party self-recordings: a party may request permission to record a hearing (e.g. for accommodation reasons) at least 10 days before. Such recordings *may not be publicized or used outside the hearing*. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))  \n- There is no clause in that Practice Direction that describes livestreaming hearings to the public, or video streaming for general public observation. HRTO does *not* seem to permit general broadcasting or livestreaming of hearings. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/Practice%20Directions/Recording%20Hearings.html?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## What I found *about actual practice*\n\nI did *not* locate any confirmed case or announcement that HRTO has livestreamed a merits hearing via Zoom or another platform for public broadcast.\n\nSome relevant points:\n\n- The FAQ indicates remote or video conference hearings are used and the format is listed; a private individual can request a link to observe certain hearings. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/How%20to%20Observe%20a%20Hearing%20at%20the%20HRTO%20-%20Final%20for%20consultation.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n- There is no mention in HRTO\u2019s published materials of using public livestream (e.g., YouTube or publicly posted Zoom links) of merits hearings.  \n- The \u201cObserving a Hearing\u201d framework implies access is controlled/requested, not automatically broadcast to all. ([tribunalsontario.ca](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/hrto/How%20to%20Observe%20a%20Hearing%20at%20the%20HRTO%20-%20Final%20for%20consultation.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Conclusion\n\n- HRTO has *not* established (at least not in publicly available sources) that it livestreams merits hearings held virtually for general public observation in the sense of broadcasting to anyone without request or restriction.  \n- Remote/video/teleconference format hearings do exist, and the public *may be allowed* to observe them if they follow HRTO\u2019s procedure: contacting the Registrar at least 7 days in advance, getting the link, subject to case\u2010specific orders.  \n- HRTO does *not* allow the recordings of hearings (by tribunal or parties) to be made publicly available (no publishing or broadcasting) as per its Practice Direction.  \n\n---\n\nIf you want, I can try to locate whether any particular hearing (e.g. named case) was livestreamed historically, or whether there have been motions or court orders seeking livestreaming in a specific case. Do you want me to look up those examples?"
    }
]