Your Voice of Fairness
Repeated attempts by an Albertan to have MyHealthRecords register a change in identity failed until the Ombudsman leant a hand. William Taylor*, contacted our office frustrated after several failed attempts to have their MyHealthRecords account updated to show their recently changed first name. William explained that despite updating the name on their Health ID card,…
When an Albertan appeals a decision, information on what will or will not be accepted as evidence to support their arguments should be clear and accessible. The Appeals Commission (the Commission) for Alberta Workers’ Compensation issues final decisions on matters adjudicated by the Workers’ Compensation Board. Mr. Watson (not his real name) represented himself in…
Sometimes the Ombudsman’s involvement is short, yet has a big impact on an individual. On a Wednesday in 2021, a rental property owner contacted our office with a complaint about Court Services, a branch within the Justice and Solicitor General Ministry. The caller had a disorderly tenant, and the courts had ruled the renter could…
Vulnerable Albertans have a legitimate expectation that those in authority will provide correct information about the benefits to which they are entitled, especially during a time of need. When this expectation is not met, it’s not fair and dilutes our faith in those placed in a position of trust. In this case, three administrative errors…
When a citizen failed to get answers, the Ombudsman intervened to break the spin cycle. Mr. Hernandez (not his real name) contacted the Ombudsman’s intake line to complain that a councillor, the mayor, and the staff of a municipality were not returning his phone calls or emails about a tax issue. Mr. Hernandez expected a…
Communication breakdown leaves inmate without rights. An inmate at a provincial correctional centre called our office stating he was being held in a COVID-19 isolation unit nearly two weeks after he was cleared to be moved out of isolation. The isolation units in this centre require 24-hour lock-up, leaving inmates with limited time out of…
Providing fair and equitable service that is responsive to an individual’s needs is an important part of administrative fairness. In early March 2021, Ms. Smith* called the Ombudsman’s intake line to complain that Alberta Works had held back her monthly cheque for the third time in recent months. She believed the problem was that the…
Responding to a vulnerable individual—an inmate with a history of mental health challenges—required particular sensitivity. The inmate complained that correctional officers used mind control techniques to alter his memory and negatively influence the outcome of his trial. As a first step, Ombudsman staff advised the inmate to elevate his concerns to the centre director. Several…
First featured in the Ombudsman’s 2019-20 annual report, this case describes a good outcome when a government department committed to consistent assessment of childcare rates for foster parents taking in children with special needs. It also serves as a good example of how the Ombudsman can help bring about large-scale reform. A foster mother…
This case involves Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Indigenous Services Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNHIB) (previously Health Canada). As background, in 2015 an Indigenous woman required ambulance services. She believed that as an Indigenous person she was exempt from paying the costs. Her understanding was based at least in part…