Key Takeaways
- Either the complainant or the professional can request a review of an ICRC complaint decision.
- Referrals to discipline and to incapacity proceedings cannot be reviewed.
- The deadline is 30 days after receiving the notice of review rights, extendable by no more than 60 days.
- Veterinary complaint decisions are also reviewable by HPARB, within 30 days of receiving the decision.
Who Can Ask and What Is Reviewable
The Board must review an ICRC panel’s decision if it receives a request from the complainant or the member who is the subject of the complaint, unless the decision was to refer allegations to the Discipline Committee or to refer the member for incapacity proceedings (Health Professions Procedural Code, s. 29(1)–(2)). Both the complainant and the member are parties to the review (s. 29(5)).
The Deadline
Deadline
A request may be made only within 30 days after receiving the notice of the right to request a review that accompanies the decision (Code, s. 29(3)). The Board cannot extend that time by more than 60 days (s. 29(4)).
How the Review Works
HPARB proceedings are mostly electronic, under Consolidated Rules of Practice and Procedure in effect since May 4, 2026. The Veterinarians Act spells out the review process for veterinary complaints: the Registrar provides the record, the Board discloses it to the parties, and the Board considers the adequacy of the investigation, the reasonableness of the decision, or both. The requesting party comments, the other party responds, and the Board may question the parties and a college representative (s. 25(7)–(12)). Reviews are generally public (s. 25.1).
Weighing a Review
If you are the professional, remember that a review can lead to a less favourable outcome as well as a better one. If you are responding to a complainant’s review request, prepare as carefully as you did for the original decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can HPARB review a registrar’s report decision?
Review rights under s. 29 belong to complainants and members subject to complaints. Report decisions are generally not reviewable by HPARB.
What if I miss the 30 days?
The Board’s power to extend is capped at 60 days (s. 29(4)). Act quickly and explain the delay.
Sources
Statutory references are to the provisions listed below, as consolidated on e-Laws when this page was prepared.
- Health Professions Procedural Code, s. 29 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- Veterinarians Act, ss. 25–25.1 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- Health Professions Appeal and Review Board — Checked November 10, 2026.