All complaints are received through RIBO’s online complaint form. Once a complaint is received, staff conduct an initial assessment of the complaint to determine if it raises any conduct issues that RIBO has the authority to handle and whether RIBO requires any additional information to support the complaint.
A risk assessment conducted by intake staff determines the severity of the issue(s) raised and identifies the next steps.
Cases authorized for an investigation are transferred to the Investigations Department and assigned to an investigator. Typically, investigators interview complainants and licensees, request documentary evidence from both parties and interview third-party witnesses, where warranted.
To see the full details of the updated complaints and discipline process, please refer to our Changes to Complaints Discipline Process II web post.
Evidence collected in an investigation is submitted to the Complaints Committee for review and consideration.
The Complaints Committee is made up of three members, two of whom are licensees and one who is a public member appointed by the Government of Ontario.
The Complaints Committee investigates allegations of professional misconduct brought against a licensee to determine whether there is sufficient evidence of misconduct to support referring the complaint to the Discipline Committee.
After its review and consideration, the Complaints Committee may make the following decisions:
The Complaints Committee prepares written decisions for each case. Licensees are provided with a copy of the decision for cases in which they are involved, and complainants are informed of the outcome in writing.
Cases that are not referred to the Discipline Committee, and where the Complaints Committee takes remedial action, do not become part of a licensee’s discipline history. They are also not published. However, they become part of the licensee’s regulatory history with RIBO.
Cases referred to the Discipline Committee are transferred to the Discipline Department.
The Discipline Committee consists of a panel of three members, two licensees and one public member.
Once the Complaints Committee refers a case to the Discipline Committee, the discipline process commences.
The role of the Discipline Committee includes considering the allegations against a licensee, hearing and considering the evidence, making findings of facts, determining whether the allegations have been proven and, if so, the penalty to be imposed against a licensee. Discipline hearings are generally open to the public.
The Discipline Committee will continue to issue written decisions. These decisions become part of a licensee’s discipline history and are public.
Read the Rules of Procedure of RIBO’s Discipline Committee.
Do you have questions?
Our team will be happy to assist you.