Investigation

The Counseling and Investigation Committee (CIC) is responsible to review all formal complaints made to SSMLT. Complaints are received by the SSMLT office and are forwarded to the CIC. The CIC reviews the complaint and determines whether the complaint meets the threshold in order to investigate.
In determining the threshold, they will consider whether the complaint falls within the jurisdiction of the SSMLT and if it is within the definitions of professional misconduct or professional incompetence outlined in the MLT Act.

The SSMLT will notify the person making the complaint (the complainant) advising them that the complaint has been received and whether it meets the threshold to be investigated.

A copy of the complaint(s) will be provided to the member (respondent) against whom a complaint has been filed and a response will be required within 30 days.

The complainant, the member and any other witnesses to the incident may be interviewed by a member of the Committee or an contracted investigator. Other relevant information along with all evidence will be requested and will be submitted to the Counseling and Investigation Committee along with Investigators Report.

Once the Counseling and Investigation Committee has all the information they require, they will make one of following decisions as set out in MLT Act s. 22(1):

(3)    On completion of its investigation, the counselling and investigation committee may do one or more of the following:
       (a)     make a written report to the discipline committee recommending that the discipline committee hear and determine the formal complaint set out in                       the written report;
       (b)     make a written report to the discipline committee recommending that no further action be taken with respect to the matter under investigation;
       (c)     refer the complaint to mediation, if the counselling and investigation committee decides that the complaint is of concern only to the complainant and                the investigated member, both of whom agree to mediation;
       (d)     require the investigated member to appear before the counselling and investigation committee, or a panel of the committee, to be cautioned;
       (e)     require the investigated member to complete a specified continuing education or remediation program;
       (f)     accept the voluntary surrender of the investigated member’s registration or licence;
       (g)    accept an undertaking from the investigated member that provides for one or more of the following:
              (i)    assessment of the investigated member’s capacity or fitness to practise in the profession;
             (ii)    counselling or treatment of the investigated member;
            (iii)    monitoring or supervision of the investigated member’s practice;
            (iv)    completion by the investigated member of a specified course of studies by way of remedial training;
            (v)     placing conditions on the investigated member’s right to practise in the profession;
      (h)    take any other action that the counselling and investigation committee considers appropriate that is not inconsistent with or contrary to this Act or the                  bylaws.