Government of Canada announces appointment of Mr. Glen J. Johnson to the Social Security Tribunal

GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, today announced the appointment of Mr. Glen J. Johnson to the General Division of the Social Security Tribunal (SST).

Specializing in civil and criminal law, Mr. Johnson brings extensive experience managing trials and appeals at the superior and provincial court levels in all three western provinces. He is also a former director of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Society and devotes time to other volunteer causes.

He studied at the University of Saskatchewan, where he received his Bachelor of Laws, and the University of Alberta, where he received his Bachelor of Commerce.

Quick Facts

• The SST is a single decision-making body that consolidates the work previously done by four separate tribunals. It simplifies the appeal processes for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS) and Employment Insurance (EI) with a single point of contact, while providing greater value for Canadians.
  
  
• The SST is comprised of two levels of appeal. The General Division, the first level, includes two sections: an EI section for EI appeals and an Income Security section for CPP and OAS appeals. The Appeal Division is the second level.

Quote

"The Social Security Tribunal is committed to operating a tribunal that is fair, credible, impartial and independent. Mr. Johnson's extensive professional experience, education and community leadership make him an excellent addition to the SST."

- The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism

Associated Link

Social Security Tribunal

Backgrounder

Social Security Tribunal

Announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012, the new Social Security Tribunal (SST) replaces the four separate tribunals for social security appeals. It is an administrative tribunal with quasi-judicial powers and provides fair, credible, impartial and independent appeal processes for government decisions on Employment Insurance (EI), the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS).

The new tribunal system simplifies and streamlines the process for appellants by providing them with a single decision-making body for EI, CPP and OAS appeals. The SST is led by a chairperson and three vice-chairpersons appointed by the Governor in Council. The SST comprises two levels of appeal. For the first level of appeal, a vice-chairperson heads each of the EI and Income Security (CPP and OAS) sections of the General Division. The third vice-chairperson heads the Appeal Division, which is the second level of appeal. The Appeal Division decides appeals of decisions made by the General Division.

The first year of operations for the SST is a transition period, during which it will hear all new appeals while the four tribunals finalize and render decisions on cases already heard. The transition period will be complete by April 1, 2014, at which time the SST will be the only body hearing and deciding appeals for EI, CPP and OAS.

On March 12, 2013, Ms. Murielle Brazeau was appointed to the role of Chairperson of the SST, along with 34 full-time members, by the Governor in Council. Members have been appointed from all regions of the country to ensure fairness and regional distribution.

Members of the SST are expected to maintain the public trust and avoid any conflicts of interest. These members are also supported by advisors with legal and medical expertise and have access to professional training.

For more information on the SST, visit canada.gc.ca/sst-tss.

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada