Conduct of the hearing

You must appear at your hearing or join the virtual meeting according to the instructions of your notice of convocation.

Hearings are public and recorded, so citizens or the media could attend or request for document​​​​​​​ to get the recording.

The length of the hearing varies according to the needs. Your notice of convocation indicates the number of days for which your presence is required.

The ringer and alarms of your cell phone or your pager must be shut off or muted so as not to disturb the hearing.

To join the virtual hearing, you need the meeting ID indicated on the notice of convocation and must follow the procedure established.

• Log on to the WebRTC Portail [Fr] – PDF (257 Ko) – PDF (257 KB)
• Zoom Participant's Guide [Fr] – PDF (410 Ko) – PDF (410 KB)

We recommend starting the procedure at least 15 minutes before the time indicated on the notice of convocation.

The hearings are held at 140, boulevard Crémazie Ouest, in Montréal, bureau 11.10. A room number is specified on your notice of convocation.

Paid parking is available.

No food or beverage is permitted in the hearing room.

To follow the government’s public health measures in place during the pandemic:

• Common areas, hearing rooms and nearby cubicles have been reorganized to ensure that physical distancing guidelines are followed (e.g. installation of physical barriers like plastic shields).
• Room capacity is indicated on the door.
• There are posters reminding health recommendations to follow.
• Hand sanitizers are available at the entrance of every hearing room.
• Glasses and water pitchers have been removed from hearing rooms.
• Rooms are disinfected regularly.
• Always wear a mask inside the building.

During the virtual or in-person hearing, there are a commissioner, a court clerk, the RBQ lawyer and the witnesses.

You must address the commissioner as "Mr. Commissioner" or "Madam Commissioner".

Beginning of the hearing

The commissioner begins the hearing by introducing themself and asking each party to do likewise. The commissioner briefly explains the procedure for the day and the speaking order. The commissioner also has to ensure through impartial interventions that everyone clearly understands the hearing procedure. During the hearing, the commissioner may intervene at any time if they need additional details or clarifications.

Presenting evidence

The party who requested the holding of the hearing (i.e. the RBQ, except in the case of an application for the review of a decision) has the burden of proving the facts alleged in the application (notice of intention). This party presents its evidence first.

The RBQ lawyer summarizes the reasons why the person who is applying for a licence or the company that already holds a licence was convened. The RBQ lawyer then calls their witnesses and files the documents constituting their evidence. The witnesses must make a solemn undertaking to tell the truth before beginning their testimony. After each testimony, you will have the opportunity to question the witness. This is cross-examination.

Testimonies

When each party (you and the RBQ) has finished calling witnesses and filing evidence, it is time for the representations. The party who presented evidence first begins. This stage does not involve a repetition of each testimony. This is the time to file copies of decisions on cases similar to yours or to explain why the decisions unfavourable to you should not be considered.