College of Massage Therapists of Ontario v. Schoelly
Because the appeal was moot and lacked an adversarial context, the Court declined to decide the merits and, on consent, reinstated the Discipline Committee order dated March 26, 2019 without expressing any opinion on the Divisional Court's conclusions.
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- 2021 ONCA 655
- Parties
- Appellant: College of Massage Therapists of Ontario; Respondent: Jose Alberto Tena Schoelly
- Court
- Court of Appeal for Ontario
- Jurisdiction
- Canada
- Judgment Date
- 22 September 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Civil / Appeal to Court of Appeal Resolved on Consent; Moot; Reinstatement of Discipline Committee Order
- Outcome
- Appeal moot; on consent the Court reinstated the Discipline Committee order dated March 26, 2019 and declined to rule on the merits or the Divisional Court's analysis.
- Legal Topics
- Publication Ban, Mootness, Licence Revocation, Disciplinary Proceedings, Consent Orders
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
Appellant
Jose Alberto Tena Schoelly
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Civil / Appeal to Court of Appeal Resolved on Consent; Moot; Reinstatement of Discipline Committee Order
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the Court should decide the merits of an appeal that is moot and lacks an adversarial contest
- 2 Whether the Court should create a judicial precedent in the absence of practical consequences for the parties
- 3 Whether to reinstate the Discipline Committee order revoking the respondent's licence
Ratio Decidendi
Because the appeal was moot and lacked an adversarial context, the Court declined to decide the merits and, on consent, reinstated the Discipline Committee order dated March 26, 2019 without expressing any opinion on the Divisional Court's conclusions.
Court Disposition
Appeal moot; on consent the Court reinstated the Discipline Committee order dated March 26, 2019 and declined to rule on the merits or the Divisional Court's analysis.
Orders
- Order reinstating the Discipline Committee order dated March 26, 2019
- Publication ban under ss.45(3) and 47 of the Health Professions Procedural Code continues
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
1 paragraphs
College of Massage Therapists of Ontario v. Schoelly Collection Decisions of the Court of Appeal Date 2021-09-22 Neutral citation 2021 ONCA 655 Docket numbers C68756 Judges Strathy, George R.; Pepall, Sarah E.; Pardu, Gladys I. Subject Civil Decision Content WARNING The court directs that the following should be attached to the file: NOTICE OF PUBLICATION BAN An order restricting publication in this proceeding imposed under ss. 45(3) and 47 of the Health Professions Procedural Code (the “Code”), Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 18 shall continue. In the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and Jose Alberto Tena Schoelly, the Discipline Committee ordered under ss. 45(3) and 47 of the Code that no person shall publish, broadcast or otherwise disclose any information that would identify the complainant. Subsection 93(1) of the Code addresses a failure to comply with these orders: Every person who contravenes an order made under … section 45 or 47… is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable, (a) in the case of an individual to a fine of not more than $25,000 for a first offence and not more than $50,000 for a second or subsequent offence; or (b) in the case of a corporation to a fine of not more than $50,000 for a first offence and not more than $200,000 for a second or subsequent offence. COURT OF APPEAL FOR ONTARIO CITATION: College of Massage Therapists of Ontario v. Schoelly, 2021 ONCA 655 DATE: 20210922 DOCKET: C68756 Strathy C.J.O., Pepall and Pardu JJ.A. BETWEEN College of Massage Therapists of Ontario Appellant and Jose Alberto Tena Schoelly Respondent Erica Richler and Anastasia-Maria Hountalas, for the appellant No one appearing for the respondent Heard and released orally: September 17, 2021 by video conference On appeal from the order of the Divisional Court (Justices Nancy L. Backhouse, Richard A. Lococo and Michael A. Penny), dated March 2, 2020, with reasons reported at 2020 ONSC 1348, allowing in part an appeal from a decision of a panel of the Discipline Committee of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, dated March 26, 2019. REASONS FOR DECISION [1] Counsel have advised that the appeal has been resolved on the basis that the respondent does not oppose the appeal and will accept the licence revocation ordered by the Discipline Committee. The appeal is therefore moot. [2] The appellant nevertheless asks that this Court hear its submissions and that we make a decision on the merits. While the appellant seeks a judicial precedent to serve as a guide in other cases, we decline to hear the appeal in the absence of an adversarial context. Nor is it an appropriate use of judicial resources to decide an issue that does not have any practical consequences for both parties. [3] On consent of the parties, an order will issue reinstating the order of the Discipline Committee of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario dated March 26, 2019. In so ordering, we express no opinion on the conclusions or analysis of the Divisional Court. “G.R. Strathy C.J.O.” “S.E. Pepall J.A.” “G. Pardu J.A.”