Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario Decision: Stroud v. Ontario Women's Hockey Association

Strategic Insights -

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has issued a decision in the case of Stroud v. Ontario Women's Hockey Association, ruling on an application filed by Jason Stroud alleging violations of the Human Rights Code by the Ontario Women's Hockey Association, Diane Doyle, and Isabel Child. Stroud, who was self-represented, had filed an Application on December 8, 2023, and withdrew it on January 9, 2025, with the respondents consenting to the withdrawal on a "with prejudice" basis. The Tribunal accepted the withdrawal but granted it on a "with prejudice" basis, meaning Stroud cannot file any future application arising from the same incidents or allegations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The applicant, Jason Stroud, filed an Application on December 8, 2023, alleging Human Rights Code violations by the Ontario Women's Hockey Association, Diane Doyle, and Isabel Child.
  • The respondents, including the Ontario Women's Hockey Association, Diane Doyle, and Isabel Child, filed a Response to the Application on February 23, 2024, and April 19, 2024, respectively.
  • Stroud withdrew the Application on January 9, 2025, with the respondents consenting to the withdrawal on a "with prejudice" basis.
  • The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario accepted the withdrawal but granted it on a "with prejudice" basis, disallowing future applications from Stroud based on the same incidents or allegations.
  • The Tribunal cited the principle of finality, as stated in Pudjo v. Queen's University (2023 HRTO 23), noting that allowing Stroud to file a future application could waste resources and prevent closure.
  • The Tribunal also referenced Grado v. St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology (2022 HRTO 1340) and Dunn v. United Transportation Union, Local 104 (2008 HRTO 405), in considering the time and resources expended by the respondents in preparing for the case.

Statistics:

  • The Application was filed on December 8, 2023.
  • The respondents filed a Response to the Application on February 23, 2024, and April 19, 2024.
  • Stroud withdrew the Application on January 9, 2025.
  • The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario made the decision on February 19, 2025.

Sources:

  • HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL OF ONTARIO Jason Stroud Applicant -and- Ontario Women's Hockey Association, Diane Doyle, and Isabel Child Respondents
  • Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, as amended (the "Code")
  • Grado v. St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology, 2022 HRTO 1340
  • Dunn v. United Transportation Union, Local 104, 2008 HRTO 405
  • Pudjo v. Queen's University, 2023 HRTO 23