53 (1) Every collective agreement shall provide for the final and binding settlement by arbitration of all differences between the parties arising from the interpretation, application, administration or alleged violation of the collective agreement, including any question as to whether a matter is arbitrable, by a single arbitrator. 1997, c. 4, s. 53 (1). Same (2) If a collective agreement does not contain the provision mentioned in subsection (1), it shall be deemed to contain the following provision: If a difference arises between the parties relating to the interpretation, application, administration of this agreement, including any question as to whether a matter is arbitrable, or if an allegation is made that this agreement has been violated, either of the parties may, after exhausting any grievance procedure established in this agreement, notify the other party in writing of its desire to submit the difference or allegation to a single arbitrator. 1997, c. 4, s. 53 (2). Selection of single arbitrator (3) If a matter is referred to arbitration, the arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the regulations. 1997, c. 4, s. 53 (3). Commencement of proceedings (4) The arbitrator shall begin the arbitration proceedings within 30 days after his or her appointment or within such longer period as the parties may agree upon or as the arbitrator may determine. 1997, c. 4, s. 53 (4). Time for decision (5) An arbitrator shall give a decision within 30 days after hearings on the matter submitted to arbitration are concluded. 1997, c. 4, s. 53 (5). Same (6) The time described in subsection (5) for giving a decision may be extended, (a)  with the consent of the parties to the arbitration; or (b)  in the discretion of the arbitrator so long as he or she states in the decision the reasons for extending the time. 1997, c. 4, s. 53 (6). Oral decision (7) An arbitrator may give an oral decision and, if he or she does so, subsection (5) does not apply and the arbitrator, (a)  shall give the decision promptly after hearings on the matter are concluded; (b)  shall give a written decision, without reasons, promptly upon the request of either party; and (c)  shall give written reasons for the decision within a reasonable period of time upon the request of either party. 1997, c. 4, s. 53 (7). Orders re decisions (8) If the arbitrator does not give a decision within the time described in subsection (5) or does not provide written reasons within the time described in subsection (7), the Minister may, (a)  make such orders as he or she considers necessary to ensure that the decision or reasons will be given without undue delay; and (b)  make such orders as he or she considers appropriate respecting the remuneration and expenses of the arbitrator. 1997, c. 4, s. 53 (8). Powers of arbitrators (9) An arbitrator has power, (a)  to require any party to furnish particulars before or during a hearing; (b)  to require any party to produce documents or things that may be relevant to the matter and to do so before or during the hearing; (c)  to fix dates for the commencement and continuation of hearings; (d)  to summon and enforce the attendance of witnesses and to compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath in the same manner as a court of record in civil cases; (e)  to administer oaths and affirmations, (f)  to accept the oral or written evidence as the arbitrator in his or her discretion considers proper, whether admissible in a court of law or not; (g)  to enter any premises where work is being done or has been done by the firefighters or in which the employer carries on business or where anything is taking place or has taken place concerning any of the differences submitted to the arbitrator, and inspect and view any work, material, machinery, appliance or article therein, and interrogate any person respecting any such thing or any of such differences; (h)  to authorize any person to do anything that the arbitrator may do under clause (g) and to report to the arbitrator thereon; (i)  to make interim orders concerning procedural matters; (j)  to interpret and apply human rights and other employment-related statutes, despite any conflict between those statutes and the terms of the collective agreement. 1997, c. 4, s. 53 (9). Restriction re interim orders (10) An arbitrator shall not make an interim order under clause (9) (i) requiring an employer to reinstate a firefighter in employment.1997, c. 4, s. 53 (10). Enforcement power (10.1) An arbitrator or the chair of an arbitration board, as the case may be, may enforce the written settlement of a grievance. 2015, c. 34, Sched. 1, s. 6. Extension of time (11) Except where a collective agreement states that this subsection does not apply, an arbitrator may extend the time for the taking of any step in the grievance procedure under a collective agreement, despite the expiration of the time, where the arbitrator is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for the extension and that the opposite party will not be substantially prejudiced by the extension.1997, c. 4, s. 53 (11). Substitution of penalty (12) Where an arbitrator determines that a firefighter has been discharged or otherwise disciplined by an employer for cause and the collective agreement does not contain a specific penalty for the infraction that is the subject-matter of the arbitration, the arbitrator may substitute such other penalty for the discharge or discipline as to the arbitrator seems just and reasonable in all the circumstances. 1997, c. 4, s. 53 (12). Effect of arbitrator’s decision (13) The decision of an arbitrator is binding upon the parties and the firefighters who are covered by the agreement and affected by the decision.1997, c. 4, s. 53 (13). Enforcement of arbitration decisions (13.1) Where a party, employer, association, trade union, firefighter or other person has failed to comply with any of the terms of the decision of an arbitrator or arbitration board, any party, employer, association, trade union, firefighter or other person affected by the decision may file in the Superior Court of Justice a copy of the decision, exclusive of the reasons therefor, in the prescribed form, whereupon the decision shall be entered in the same way as a judgment or order of that court and is enforceable as such. 2015, c. 34, Sched. 1, s. 6. Costs of arbitration (14) Each party shall assume its own costs in the arbitration proceedings and pay one-half of the costs of the arbitrator.1997, c. 4, s. 53 (14). Non-application (15) The Arbitration Act, 1991 and the Statutory Powers Procedure Act do not apply with respect to an arbitration under this section. 1997, c. 4, s. 53 (15). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2015, c. 34, Sched. 1, s. 6 - 10/12/2015