Time and Stability Is Not Enough

Seven years ago Ms. Chen was excluded from all gaming sites by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission for engaging in loan sharking: Chen v Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, 2019 ONSC 1680, <http://canlii.ca/t/hz16b>. The Registrar declined to lift the exclusion order despite the passage of time and a stable employment and family history during the past seven years. The Divisional Court upheld the Registrar’s decision concluding that it was “was reasonable, given the gravity of the past conduct and the applicant’s failure to provide adequate information showing she appreciated the gravity of the past conduct and demonstrated there was not a risk of reoccurrence”. The Court also found that the paper reinstatement process was procedurally fair given that Ms. Chen had a full opportunity to present her case and that meaningful reasons had been given.

Time and stability were insufficient on their own to warrant reinstatement, on these facts at least. However, in other cases the courts hold out the promise that eventually the passage of time might be sufficient: CS v Registrar, Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002, 2019 ONSC 1652 (CanLII), <http://canlii.ca/t/hz16c>.

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