Key responsibilities
Managing appeals
The Appeals Secretariat:
- provides information to the public about appeals process
- assists with directing appellants to community organizations and resources that can help them with their appeal
Coordinating appeal hearing logistics
The Appeals Secretariat:
- organizes locations to facilitate teleconference, videoconference or in-person hearings
- arranges language translators, sign language interpreters, communication access real-time translation and other necessary services to ensure full participation of appellants with barriers
- works with appeal parties to coordinate a suitable hearing date
Citizen’s Appeal Panel support
The Appeals Secretariat supports:
- member recruitment and governance
- member training and orientation, and meetings
- the development of policies, guidelines and procedures
- procedural matters and soliciting legal expertise
- panel member expense and honoraria claims
Other supports
The Appeals Secretariat:
- observes hearings and making recommendations to improve training
- analyzes appeal decisions to identify themes and trends in support of evidence-based decision making
- provides information on community advocacy services that may be able to support an appellant during the appeal process
Outside the mandate of the Appeals Secretariat
The Appeals Secretariat does not:
- advocate for any party involved in an appeal
- refer appellants to a specific organization or advocate
- provide legal advice
- explain panel decisions