Complaints and Investigations

Your Duty to Co-operate With a Regulatory Investigation

Most Ontario regulatory statutes give investigators and inspectors real powers, and many impose a positive duty on you to help them.

  • Topic Complaints and Investigations
  • Sources checked November 10, 2026
Draft for legal review. This page has not yet been reviewed by Ryan J. Manilla.

Key Takeaways

  • Health professionals must co-operate fully with a registrar’s investigator (Code, s. 76(3.1)).
  • Licensees must answer complaint-related information requests (MVDA, s. 14(3); TRESA, s. 19(3); CMSA, s. 57(3)).
  • Obstructing an OHSA inspector is prohibited (OHSA, s. 62).
  • Co-operation is not the same as volunteering opinions. Answer accurately and get advice.

Where the Duty Comes From

RegimeDutySource
Health collegesCo-operate fully with an investigatorCode, s. 76(3.1)
Law SocietyProvide information even if privilegedLSA, s. 49.8
DealersProvide requested information as soon as practicableMVDA, s. 14(3)
Real estateProvide requested informationTRESA, s. 19(3)
Condo managersProvide requested information as soon as practicableCMSA, s. 57(3)
WorkplacesNo obstruction of inspectorsOHSA, s. 62

What Non-Co-operation Can Lead To

Failing to co-operate can become a separate allegation, can support a registrar’s concern about integrity in licensing regimes, and can lead to court orders or offences under some statutes. It rarely helps the underlying matter.

Co-operating Wisely

Provide what is required, accurately and on time. You can still ask questions about scope, agree on timing, and get advice before interviews. Co-operating does not mean waiving your right to respond to the allegations in full.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the duty apply to a complaint as well as an investigation?

In the health professions, written submissions on a complaint are optional (Code, s. 25.2), but the duty to co-operate with an appointed investigator is mandatory (s. 76(3.1)).

What if the request is too broad?

Raise it with the investigator in writing and propose a reasonable scope. Do not simply ignore it.

Sources

Statutory references are to the provisions listed below, as consolidated on e-Laws when this page was prepared.

  1. Health Professions Procedural Code (RHPA, Sched. 2), ss. 25.2, 76 — Checked November 10, 2026.
  2. Law Society Act, s. 49.8 — Checked November 10, 2026.
  3. Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002, s. 14 — Checked November 10, 2026.
  4. Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002, s. 19 — Checked November 10, 2026.
  5. Condominium Management Services Act, 2015, s. 57 — Checked November 10, 2026.
  6. Occupational Health and Safety Act, s. 62 — Checked 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.