Recorded conversation sparks probe of adjudicator's rulings

Every decision made by an Ontario housing tribunal adjudicator over the past two years is being investigated after questions of bias surfaced from a recorded conversation.

The Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal plans to appoint an independent investigator to review rulings made by Valarie Steele since she was appointed in July 2004.

The investigation was sparked by a wiretap conversation interceptedby policethat was played in court last Friday at the bail review of Steele's son.

A woman's voice, allegedly Steele's, is heard reassuring another woman whose case she is about to hear, not to worry.

"Don't tell anybody you know me. Just play it cool. This conversation never happened," the woman says in the recording, according to the Toronto Star.

The tribunal is a quasi-judicial body that resolves disputes between landlords and tenants, such as decisions on rent increases, evictions and maintenance requests.

Carol Kiley, manager of the tribunal's program development, said if a problem or error is found, the tribunal will hear the case again to ensure fairness.

Tribunal officials emphasized it is the first time since the tribunal was created in 1998 that questions have been raised about one of the adjudicators.

It's unclear how many cases might be involved.

The Greater Toronto Apartments Association, a group that represents landlords, said they'd never heard a complaint of bias or unfairness about Steele.