Insights

Notices of Proposal and Licensing

Many Ontario licensing regimes require the regulator to propose action before taking it. A Notice of Proposal gives you a short window to demand a hearing, and missing it can end the matter.

Under licensing statutes such as the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002, the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 and the mortgage and insurance Acts, a registrar or chief executive officer who wants to refuse, suspend, revoke or attach conditions to your licence must usually serve a Notice of Proposal with reasons. You then have a short window to require a hearing before an independent tribunal. If you do not, the regulator may carry out the proposal.

The windows look similar, usually 15 days, but they are counted differently. Some run from service, some from receipt, and some from when the notice is given. The rules for deemed service by mail also differ.

Hearing-request deadlines after a Notice of Proposal

StatuteDeadline and starting pointTribunalSource
Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 200215 days after service; registered mail deemed served on day 3LATss. 9(2), 37(2)
Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 200215 days after service; registered mail deemed served on day 3LATss. 14(2), 45(2)
Condominium Management Services Act, 201515 days after service; registered mail deemed served on day 3LATss. 41(2), 73(2)
New Home Construction Licensing Act, 201715 days after service; registered mail deemed served on day 3LATss. 43(2), 81(2)
Child Care and Early Years Act, 201415 days after service; mail deemed served on day 5LATss. 23(4), 74(2)
Liquor Licence and Control Act, 201915 days after the notice is servedLATs. 25(4)
Cannabis Licence Act, 2018No later than 15 days after being servedLATs. 14(2)
Mortgage Brokerages, Lenders and Administrators Act, 200615 days after the notice is receivedFSTs. 21(3)
Insurance Act (agents and adjusters)15 days after the notice is givenFSTs. 407.1(3)

Summary only. Each regime has exceptions and conditions. Read the cited provision and get advice about your notice.

Key Points

Serve both recipients

Under the LAT statutes, your written request generally goes to both the registrar and the Tribunal. Sending it to only one can be fatal.

A proposal is not yet a decision

Unless an immediate or temporary suspension is also made, the regulator can act only if you do not request a hearing or the Tribunal directs it.

Renewals can continue

Under some statutes, a registration you applied to renew on time continues until the hearing is decided (e.g. MVDA, s. 9(8)).

Guides in This Topic

Sources

  1. Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002, ss. 9, 37 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
  2. Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002, ss. 14, 45 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
  3. Condominium Management Services Act, 2015, ss. 41, 73 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
  4. New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017, ss. 43, 81 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
  5. Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, ss. 23, 74 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
  6. Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, s. 25 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
  7. Cannabis Licence Act, 2018, s. 14 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
  8. Mortgage Brokerages, Lenders and Administrators Act, 2006, s. 21 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
  9. Insurance Act, s. 407.1 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.

Keep Learning About Your Proceeding

Read how Ontario regulatory proceedings typically unfold, or compare how other regulators handle complaints, hearings and appeals.