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Making An Impact

50 years after opening its doors, the Alberta Ombudsman’s office hasn’t stopped working towards improving government services.

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Evolving Jurisdiction

Over the past 50 years, the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction has undergone significant changes.

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Municipality FAQs

We’ve prepared a series of Frequently Asked Questions to help explain the role of our office. Our jurisdiction expands April 1, 2018.

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Your voice
of fairness.

What does the Ombudsman do?

The Alberta Ombudsman responds to complaints of unfair treatment by provincial government authorities and designated professional organizations.

Who is the Ombudsman?

Marianne Ryan was officially appointed as Alberta’s ninth Ombudsman and second Public Interest Commissioner on July 1, 2017. Prior to becoming the Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner, Marianne led a successful career that spanned 35 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

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Independent from government
Provides services free of charge
Promotes standards of fairness
Is approachable and responsive
Recommends solutions that are fair for both the complainant and government
Is respected, influential and effective

Latest News

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Posted Apr. 3rd, 2018 in Municipalities.

Expanded Jurisdiction Over Municipalities Takes Effect

EDMONTON – Marianne Ryan, Alberta’s ninth Ombudsman, welcomes legislative changes that expand her office’s jurisdiction to include municipalities.

Final amendments to the Municipal Government Act, proclaimed October 26, 2017, set forth important changes to the Ombudsman Act, the …

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Posted Feb. 23rd, 2018 in Municipalities.

Preparations for Municipalities Continue

For over 50 years, the Alberta Ombudsman has provided oversight of provincial government services, self-regulated professions and other designated authorities, in cases where a complaint of unfair treatment has been made about an administrative process or decision.

Late in 2016, …

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Posted Nov. 8th, 2017 in Municipalities.

Recent Proclamation Confirms – As of April 1, 2018 the Mandate of the Alberta Ombudsman Will Expand to Include Municipalities

On Thursday October 26, 2017 the final amendments to the Municipal Government Act (MGA), the act that governs how municipalities operate, were proclaimed into law. Efforts to modernize the act led to significant updates including changes to the Ombudsman Act…

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Posted Sep. 1st, 2017 in 50th Anniversary.

Promoting Fair Practices for 50 Years

When the Alberta Ombudsman began operations 50 years ago this week, the province and its government operated much differently than it does today.

Out of necessity, the Alberta Ombudsman’s approach to complaint handling has required adjustment. When first conceived, the …

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Posted Jul. 27th, 2017 in 50th Anniversary.

Evolving Jurisdiction Over Time

1967
The Ombudsman’s jurisdictional reach granted by proclamation of the Ombudsman Act included Alberta government departments, boards and agencies. There was an immediate question of jurisdiction over the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) as legal opinions held that the WCB was …

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Posted Jul. 27th, 2017 in General Info.

Prompting Positive Systemic Change

Over the years the mandate of the office has expanded. At present it investigates complaints about the decisions and actions of provincial government departments, boards, agencies and commissions, designated professional organizations and the Patient Concerns Resolution Process of Alberta Health …

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Posted Jun. 20th, 2017 in Tours.

Outreach tour – Ombudsman investigators visit Grande Prairie and Peace River

EDMONTON – Alberta Ombudsman investigators will visit Grande Prairie on June 21st and Peace River on June 22nd.

Residents of Grande Prairie, Peace River and surrounding communities are invited to attend presentations by an investigator about the role of our …

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Posted May. 25th, 2017 in General Info.

Marianne Ryan recommended as Alberta’s ninth Ombudsman

A search committee of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta has recommended the appointment of Marianne Ryan as Alberta’s ninth Ombudsman and second Public Interest Commissioner.

Through a long and distinguished 35-year career in policing, Ryan most recently served as the …

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Posted Mar. 20th, 2017 in Tours.

Ombudsman investigators to visit Red Deer, Wetaskiwin

EDMONTON – Investigators with the Alberta Ombudsman will visit Red Deer and Wetaskiwin in early April.

“We believe it’s important Albertans understand how our office works, and the rights and obligations they and government service providers have when it comes …

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Posted Mar. 16th, 2017 in Municipalities.

Municipality Primer: Questions and Answers
Following the passage of Bill 21 in late 2016, it is expected the Alberta Ombudsman will receive expanded jurisdiction over municipalities. Below are Questions and Answers that explain the role of our office and what you might expect.
What types …

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Posted Dec. 6th, 2016 in General Info.

Statement from the Alberta Ombudsman on passage of Bill 21

An impartial and neutral independent office of the Legislative Assembly, the Alberta Ombudsman is uniquely positioned to investigate complaints related to municipalities. As Canada’s oldest parliamentary ombudsman office with nearly 50 years of experience, our office looks forward to working …

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Posted Oct. 26th, 2016 in General Info.

Investigation helps reduce financial barriers to review process

EDMONTON – An Alberta Ombudsman own motion investigation has led to changes by the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADAC) that will improve access to the organization’s complaint review process.

The Ombudsman’s investigation, launched in December 2015, was triggered after …

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Quick Stats

The past year in review

From April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017 written complaints were down 5.7% from 2015-2016 with 1,015 cases assigned the status “no investigation initiated”. These include non-jurisdictional cases and cases referred to other remedy or appeal. Oral complaints were up 2.5% over the past year, building on last year’s rise of 2% over the previous year.

The Alberta Ombudsman continues to prioritize excellent service with a focus on operational procedures that ensure timely responses to inquiries and thorough and accurate investigations.

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Making An Impact

Evolving Jurisdiction

Municipality FAQs

Your voice of fairness.