8:45-9:00am Pre-Game Welcome from the Conference Co-chairs
\n \nGenevieve Plummer\, Ma nager\, Hearings\, Ontario College of Pharmacists< /strong>
\n \nThe New Playbook: AI in Adjudicati on and Regulatory Oversight
\n \n< span style="font-size:11pt">Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the playing field for professional regulation and adj udication across Canada. In this plenary\, speaker s will examine the emerging issues\, risks\, and o pportunities that accompany AI's growing influence \, from challenging traditional assumptions about identity and evidence to raising new questions abo ut authenticity\, procedural fairness\, and access to justice.
\n \nCan AI can help leve l the playing field for self-represented parties? What happens when the rules of the game change fas ter than the referees can keep up? As tribunals an d regulators feel the pressure to adapt in real ti me\, this panel will discuss how to stay ahead of the curve by developing sound policies\, practical strategies\, and regulatory game plans that encou rage innovation without compromising due process\, public confidence\, or evidence-based decision-ma king - because in this game\, there's no instant r eplay to undo a bad call.
\n \n
Speakers:
Christian Dip pel\, Associate Professor\, Business\, Economics a nd Public Policy at Ivey Business School\, Univers ity of Western Ontario
\n \nModerator: Preeya Sing h\, Professional Conduct Director\, CMRITO College of Medical Radiologists and Imaging Technologists of Ontario
\n \n\n \n
WORKSH OP 1
\n \nGetting Bac k Up After Being Knocked Down: Lessons from the Bo xing Ring
\n \nLife has its o wn knockouts. Grieving a loss\, burnout\, isolatio n\, a failed plan\, a breakup\, a health scare\, a public mistake\, a private disappointment.
\n \nHow do you get up and back in the game while still honouring your humanity?
\n \n< span style="font-size:11pt">Boxers do not survive by being fearless or reck less. Their discipline offers a grounded way to th ink about resilience. When a champion boxer gets k nocked down\, they do not jump right back up. They listen. They breathe. They take the count. They r espond instead of reacting.\n \n
In thi s powerful and engaging session\, Yvette takes you inside the boxing ring using compelling analogies \, live demonstrations\, and the art of storytelli ng to reveal the fighter that exists within each o f us.
\n \nThis workshop is more than just boxing talk —it’s an invitation to step into your own corner\, find your inner str ength\, and learn how to show up ready for whateve r comes next.
\n \nYvette Rapos o\, Trainer\, Speaker\, Former Boxing Champion\, B oxing Ring Announcer
\n \n\n \n
WOR KSHOP 2
\n \nBeyond O vertime: Tackling Delay in Adjudicative Processes< /strong>
\n \nWhen adjudication goes in to overtime\, everyone pays the price. This sessio n will explore the causes of delay\, the tools tri bunals are using to keep cases moving\, and the le gal challenges that can arise when efficiency meas ures are introduced. Join tribunal leaders and pra ctitioners as they discuss innovative approaches t o case management\, mediation\, and evidence contr ol\, and how to ensure fair play\, timely decision s\, and accessible justice for all participants.
\n \nSpeakers: < /span>
\n \nGaetana (Tan ia) Campisi\, Senior Counsel\, Stieber Berlach LLP
\n \nAnshumala (Anshu) Juyal\, Senior Counsel\, Legal Services Division\, Canadian Huma n Rights Commission< /p>\n \n
Moderator: Dan Abrahams\, Vice President\, Corporate Affairs & Chief Legal Officer\, Professional Engineers Ontario< /span>
\n \n\n \n
11 :45-12:45pm Halftime Lunch< /span>
\n \n12:45-2:00pm POS T LUNCH PLENARY
\n \nPlaying a Strong Writing Game
\n \nDiscover (or reinforce) practica l ways to strengthen your writing game. Full of go od and not-so-good examples\, this session will hi ghlight important skills and powerful techniques f or everyone who's part of the tribunal team — adju dicators\, counsel and staff who write reasons\, b riefing memos\, emails\, reports or proposals.
\n \nTim Moseley\, Chief Adjudicat or\, Capital Markets Tribunal
\n \nBarb Morris\, Legal Writing Consultan t and Instructor
\n \n\n \n < p style="margin-bottom:11px\;">2:05-3:20pm CONCURRENT AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS\n \n < p style="margin-bottom:11px\;">WORKSHO P 3 \n \n
Admin Law Bl ast: Leveling the Playing Field
\n \nIn this dynamic session\, we’ll bring clari ty to complex legal principles and show how decisi ons are made\, challenged\, and upheld – to get yo u to peak performance!
\n \nThink of ad ministrative tribunals as on-field referees—making real-time calls\, applying the rule book\, and ke eping the game moving. Courts step in to review th ose calls on replay when rules weren’t followed or the decision falls offside.< /p>\n \n
Our e xpert panel will explore how core principles—like procedural fairness\, reasonableness\, and jurisdi ction—function as the rules of the game. Using pra ctical examples\, this session will also highlight how to build a strong game plan: develop a clear record\, make sound decisions under pressure\, and avoid common “penalties” that can lead to a succe ssful appeal.
\n \nWhether you’re a roo kie or a ringer\, this session will help you under stand how to make defensible calls and keep your d ecisions championship-ready.< /p>\n \n
Davi d Wright\, Chair\, Health Professions Discipline T ribunal
\n \nPam Hrick \, Partner\, Lerners LLP
\n \n\n \n
Workshop 4
\n \nAdjudicators and support staff often work in the equivalent of a high-stakes playoff en vironment. Like referees\, they must ensure fair r ules and evidence-based decision-making while navi gating human dynamics\, difficult calls and critic isms that come from the sidelines. Over time\, the se roles can test resilience and overall well-bein g.
\n \nThis workshop will explore the psychological and relational aspects of working wi thin these high stress environments. Participants will learn strategies for balancing empathy and ob jectivity\, avoiding burnout\, and effectively com municating with the players. Drawing on trauma psy chology\, communication science\, and extensive ex perience within the Workers Compensation Board’s T raumatic Psychological Injury (TPI) program\, the session provides practical tools to help participa nts “keep their head in the game”\, make sound dec isions under pressure\, and strengthen their menta l and professional endurance.
\n \nDr. Janice Dicks\, Ph.D .\, R.Psych YEG Psychology
\n \nDr. Holly Whyte
\, Ph.D.\, R.Psych YEG Psycho
logy
Moderato
r: Heather Gibbs\, SOAR Past President
WORKSHOP 5
\n \nBuilding the Dream
Team
Roll up your sleeves \, tie up your laces\, get ready\, set\, leggo !
\n \n< span style="line-height:107%">Using LEGO SERIOUS PLAY©\, learn how to create more participation\, more eng agement\, and more commitment amongst your team me mbers. See how much your childhood building block s can teach you to listen well\, work together\, a nd achieve spectacular results. A literally hands- on workshop aimed at team building\, communication \, mutual understanding and problem solving.
\n \nFacilitator: Jennifer Webster\, Vice Chairperson\, Canada Industrial Labour Relat ions Board
\n \n\n \n
3:20-3:40pm 7th I nning Stretch
\n \n< span style="font-size:11pt">3:40-4:40pm CLOSING PLENARY
\n \ nThe Great Administrative Justice Debate: Heated Rivalr y
\n \nStep into the arena for an engaging and entertaining series of fast paced debates exploring some of the most pressing issue s facing administrative justice and regulation tod ay. Drawing on their experience as adjudicators\, regulators\, tribunal counsel\, and administrative law practitioners\, our debaters will step up to the plate to tackle resolutions that challenge con ventional thinking and spark discussion.
\n \nExpect sharp analysis\, spirited advocacy\, evidence-based argument\, and a healthy dose of h umour as our debaters go head-to-head\, trading po ints and defending positions on the future of adju dication and regulation. The audience won't be sit ting on the sidelines. After every round\, you wil l decide who delivered the strongest punch and ear ned the win. Whether the arguments result in a sla m dunk\, a photo finish\, or an unexpected upset\, this session promises a lively and memorable cham pionship finale to close this year’s conference.
\n \nWho will persuade the c rowd and take home the title? You decide.
\n \nReferee Lyla Simon- SOAR Conference Commi ttee
\n \n< strong>Jazz/Pop Quartet\, U of T Faculty of Music
\n \nDESCRIPTION:THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT\n \n \n SOAR's 38th Annual Conference\n \n \n GAME ON! Advancing Administrati ve Justice\n \n \n Thursday November 12th\, 2026 8 :30am - 4:30pm (in-person only)\n \n \n Chelsea Ho tel\, 33 Gerrard Street West\, Toronto\n \n \n $52 5.00 plus HST \n \n \n 8:00am-8:45am Breakfast and Registration\n \n \n 8:45-9:00am Pre-Game Welcome from the Conference Co-chairs\n \n \n \n Geneviev e Plummer\, Manager\, Hearings\, Ontario College o f Pharmacists\n \n \n \n Rebecca Woodrow\, Tribuna l General Counsel\, Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal\n \n \n \n 9:00-10:05am OPENING PLENARY\n \n \n \n The New Playbook: AI in Adjudic ation and Regulatory Oversight\n \n \n \n Artifici al intelligence is rapidly changing the playing fi eld for professional regulation and adjudication a cross Canada. In this plenary\, speakers will exam ine the emerging issues\, risks\, and opportunitie s that accompany AI's growing influence\, from cha llenging traditional assumptions about identity an d evidence to raising new questions about authenti city\, procedural fairness\, and access to justice . \n \n \n \n Can AI can help level the playing fi eld for self-represented parties? What happens whe n the rules of the game change faster than the ref erees can keep up? As tribunals and regulators fee l the pressure to adapt in real time\, this panel will discuss how to stay ahead of the curve by dev eloping sound policies\, practical strategies\, an d regulatory game plans that encourage innovation without compromising due process\, public confiden ce\, or evidence-based decision-making - because i n this game\, there's no instant replay to undo a bad call.\n \n \n \n Speakers:\n \n \n \n Maura R. Grossman\, Research Professor\, David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science\, Faculty of Mathemati cs\, University of Waterloo \n \n \n \n Abdi Aidid \, Assistant Professor at the University of Toront o's Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law and the Cana da Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and A ccess to Justice \n \n \n \n Christian Dippel\, As sociate Professor\, Business\, Economics and Publi c Policy at Ivey Business School\, University of W estern Ontario \n \n \n \n Moderator: Preeya Singh \, Professional Conduct Director\, CMRITO College of Medical Radiologists and Imaging Technologists of Ontario\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10:05-10:25am H ydration Break\n \n \n \n 10:25-11:40 CONCURRENT M ORNING WORKSHOPS\n \n \n \n WORKSHOP 1 \n \n \n \n Getting Back Up After Being Knocked Down: Lessons from the Boxing Ring \n \n \n \n Life has its own knockouts. Grieving a loss\, burnout\, isolation\ , a failed plan\, a breakup\, a health scare\, a p ublic mistake\, a private disappointment. \n \n \n \n How do you get up and back in the game while s till honouring your humanity?\n \n \n \n Boxers do not survive by being fearless or reckless. Their discipline offers a grounded way to think about re silience. When a champion boxer gets knocked down\ , they do not jump right back up. They listen. The y breathe. They take the count. They respond inste ad of reacting.\n \n \n \n In this powerful and en gaging session\, Yvette takes you inside the boxin g ring using compelling analogies\, live demonstra tions\, and the art of storytelling to reveal the fighter that exists within each of us.\n \n \n \n Drawing directly from the lessons of the ring\, Yv ette introduces practical concepts that help you n avigate life’s challenges with greater precision\, confidence\, and calm. You will discover how to g et clarity on your intentions and trust yourself a gain\, while staying grounded amidst the chaos.\n \n \n \n This workshop is more than just boxing ta lk —it’s an invitation to step into your own corne r\, find your inner strength\, and learn how to sh ow up ready for whatever comes next.\n \n \n \n Yv ette Raposo\, Trainer\, Speaker\, Former Boxing Ch ampion\, Boxing Ring Announcer\n \n \n \n \n \n \ n \n WORKSHOP 2 \n \n \n \n Beyond Overtime: Tackl ing Delay in Adjudicative Processes\n \n \n \n Whe n adjudication goes into overtime\, everyone pays the price. This session will explore the causes of delay\, the tools tribunals are using to keep cas es moving\, and the legal challenges that can aris e when efficiency measures are introduced. Join tr ibunal leaders and practitioners as they discuss i nnovative approaches to case management\, mediatio n\, and evidence control\, and how to ensure fair play\, timely decisions\, and accessible justice f or all participants.\n \n \n \n Speakers: \n \n \n \n Gaetana (Tania) Campisi\, Senior Counsel\, Sti eber Berlach LLP\n \n \n \n Harry Gousopoulos\, Ex ecutive Director\, Tribunals Ontario\n \n \n \n An shumala (Anshu) Juyal\, Senior Counsel\, Legal Ser vices Division\, Canadian Human Rights Commission\ n \n \n \n Moderator: Dan Abrahams\, Vice Preside nt\, Corporate Affairs & Chief Legal Officer\, Pro fessional Engineers Ontario\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \ n 11:45-12:45pm Halftime Lunch\n \n \n \n 12:45-2: 00pm POST LUNCH PLENARY\n \n \n \n Playing a Stron g Writing Game\n \n \n \n Discover (or reinforce) practical ways to strengthen your writing game. Fu ll of good and not-so-good examples\, this session will highlight important skills and powerful tech niques for everyone who's part of the tribunal tea m — adjudicators\, counsel and staff who write rea sons\, briefing memos\, emails\, reports or propos als.\n \n \n \n Tim Moseley\, Chief Adjudicator\, Capital Markets Tribunal\n \n \n \n Barb Morris\, Legal Writing Consultant and Instructor\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2:05-3:20pm CONCURRENT AFTERNOON WOR KSHOPS\n \n \n \n WORKSHOP 3 \n \n \n \n Admin Law Blast: Leveling the Playing Field\n \n \n \n In t his dynamic session\, we’ll bring clarity to compl ex legal principles and show how decisions are mad e\, challenged\, and upheld – to get you to peak p erformance!\n \n \n \n Think of administrative tri bunals as on-field referees—making real-time calls \, applying the rule book\, and keeping the game m oving. Courts step in to review those calls on rep lay when rules weren’t followed or the decision fa lls offside.\n \n \n \n Our expert panel will expl ore how core principles—like procedural fairness\, reasonableness\, and jurisdiction—function as the rules of the game. Using practical examples\, thi s session will also highlight how to build a stron g game plan: develop a clear record\, make sound d ecisions under pressure\, and avoid common “penalt ies” that can lead to a successful appeal.\n \n \n \n Whether you’re a rookie or a ringer\, this ses sion will help you understand how to make defensib le calls and keep your decisions championship-read y.\n \n \n \n Speakers:\n \n \n \n David Wright\, Chair\, Health Professions Discipline Tribunal\n \ n \n \n Pam Hrick\, Partner\, Lerners LLP\n \n \n \n Moderator: Michelle Alton\, Deputy Director\, M inistry of the Attorney General\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Workshop 4 \n \n \n \n Keeping Your Head in the Game\n \n \n \n Adjudicators and support staff often work in the equivalent of a high-stakes pla yoff environment. Like referees\, they must ensure fair rules and evidence-based decision-making whi le navigating human dynamics\, difficult calls and criticisms that come from the sidelines. Over tim e\, these roles can test resilience and overall we ll-being.\n \n \n \n This workshop will explore th e psychological and relational aspects of working within these high stress environments. Participant s will learn strategies for balancing empathy and objectivity\, avoiding burnout\, and effectively c ommunicating with the players. Drawing on trauma p sychology\, communication science\, and extensive experience within the Workers Compensation Board’s Traumatic Psychological Injury (TPI) program\, th e session provides practical tools to help partici pants “keep their head in the game”\, make sound d ecisions under pressure\, and strengthen their men tal and professional endurance.\n \n \n \n Speaker s: \n \n \n \n Dr. Janice Dicks\, Ph.D.\, R.Psych YEG Psychology\n \n \n \n Dr. Holly Whyte\, Ph.D.\ , R.Psych YEG Psychology\n \n \n \n Moderator: Hea ther Gibbs\, SOAR Past President\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n WORKSHOP 5 \n \n \n \n Building the Dream T eam\n \n \n \n Roll up your sleeves\, tie up your laces\, get ready\, set\, leggo! \n \n \n \n Using LEGO SERIOUS PLAY©\, learn how to create more par ticipation\, more engagement\, and more commitment amongst your team members. See how much your chi ldhood building blocks can teach you to listen wel l\, work together\, and achieve spectacular result s. A literally hands-on workshop aimed at team bui lding\, communication\, mutual understanding and p roblem solving.\n \n \n \n Facilitator: Jennifer W ebster\, Vice Chairperson\, Canada Industrial Labo ur Relations Board\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3:20-3: 40pm 7th Inning Stretch\n \n \n \n 3:40-4:40pm CLO SING PLENARY\n \n \n \n The Great Administrative J ustice Debate: Heated Rivalry\n \n \n \n Step into the arena for an engaging and entertaining series of fast paced debates exploring some of the most pressing issues facing administrative justice and regulation today. Drawing on their experience as a djudicators\, regulators\, tribunal counsel\, and administrative law practitioners\, our debaters wi ll step up to the plate to tackle resolutions that challenge conventional thinking and spark discuss ion.\n \n \n \n Expect sharp analysis\, spirited a dvocacy\, evidence-based argument\, and a healthy dose of humour as our debaters go head-to-head\, t rading points and defending positions on the futur e of adjudication and regulation. The audience won 't be sitting on the sidelines. After every round\ , you will decide who delivered the strongest punc h and earned the win. Whether the arguments result in a slam dunk\, a photo finish\, or an unexpecte d upset\, this session promises a lively and memor able championship finale to close this year’s conf erence.\n \n \n \n Who will persuade the crowd and take home the title? You decide.\n \n \n \n Debat ers\n \n \n \n \n Dan Abrahams - Vice-President\, Corporate Affairs and Chief Legal Officer\, PEO\n Suzanne Craig - Integrity Commissioner\, City of Vaughan\n Lisa Feinberg - Lawyer\, Partner at Gl ick Feinberg Stone\n Michael Huynh – CEO and Pres ident\, College of Immigration Consultants of Cana da\n Morgana Kellythorne - Deputy Director\, Lega l Service Branch\, Tribunals Ontario\n David Wrig ht - Chair\, Health Professions Discipline Tribuna l\n \n \n Referee Lyla Simon- SOAR Conference Comm ittee \n \n \n \n 4:40-7:00pm POST GAME RECEPTION\ n \n \n \n Jazz/Pop Quartet\, U of T Faculty of Mu sic\n \n \n \n \n \n CATEGORIES:Conference CALSCALE:GREGORIAN DTSTAMP;TZID=America/Toronto:20261112T083000 DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261112T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261112T163000 LOCATION:Chelsea Hotel\n 33 Gerrard Street West\n Toronto\, ON\n Canada\n URL:https://soar.on.ca/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=119 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR