Statements travel
What you tell an employer, insurer or regulator may be seen in another proceeding. Coordinate before giving statements.
A single incident can lead to a regulatory investigation, an employment investigation, a criminal charge, a civil claim and, for businesses, a provincial offences prosecution. Each has its own rules, deadlines and standards of proof. Regulators generally do not have to wait for the others to finish, and some statutes link them directly. For example, certain convictions require a cannabis licence to be revoked (Cannabis Licence Act, 2018, s. 11(3)), and paying an OHSA administrative penalty prevents a charge for the same contravention (OHSA, s. 69.1(11)).
Where parallel proceedings commonly arise
| Situation | Possible parallel proceedings |
|---|---|
| A health professional is charged with an offence | Criminal case; college investigation; possible interim order; employer action |
| A teacher or ECE is charged with an offence involving minors | Criminal case; mandatory employer report; College complaint; possible interim suspension |
| A workplace injury | OHSA orders and appeal; administrative penalty or prosecution; WSIB; civil claims |
| A spill or contamination | Provincial officer and Director orders; OLT hearing; EPA prosecution; civil claims |
| A dealer sale gone wrong | OMVIC complaint and discipline; Notice of Proposal; Provincial Offences Act charges; civil claim |
| A nurse is terminated | Grievance or arbitration; employer report to the College; College investigation |
Summary only. Each regime has exceptions and conditions. Read the cited provision and get advice about your notice.
Key Points
Regulators rarely wait
A regulatory process usually continues even while criminal charges or a grievance are pending.
Outcomes trigger action
Convictions, findings and settlements in one forum can lead directly to reporting duties or proceedings in another.
Guides in This Topic
- Criminal Charges and Your Professional LicenceRead →
- Employment Investigations and Regulatory ComplaintsRead →
- Union Grievances and College ProceedingsRead →
- Civil Lawsuits That Become Regulatory ComplaintsRead →
- Provincial Offences Prosecutions for Regulated BusinessesRead →
- Should You Wait for the Criminal Case to Finish?Read →
- Insurance Coverage for Regulatory ProceedingsRead →
- Coordinating Counsel Across Multiple ProceedingsRead →
- Workplace Investigations and Your Regulator: Sharing InformationRead →
Sources
- Cannabis Licence Act, 2018, s. 11 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
- Occupational Health and Safety Act, ss. 61, 66, 69.1 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
- Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, s. 43.3 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
- Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007, s. 49.2 — Checked on e-Laws November 10, 2026.
- Health Professions Procedural Code, ss. 25.4, 85.5 — 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.