Before Filing a Complaint

The Alberta Ombudsman objectively investigates complaints to determine whether the organization in question has acted fairly and reasonably, and whether their actions and decisions were consistent with relevant legislation, policies and procedures. Impartial and independent from government, the Ombudsman is open, approachable, and responsive to the questions and concerns of all Albertans.

Use our Complaint Checker to help determine whether our office can become involved with your complaint.

Not sure if our office can become involved with your complaint?

Use Our Complaint Checker!
Complaint Checker

What We Do

  • We do determine administrative fairness.
  • We do conduct thorough, impartial and independent investigations of complaints
  • We do look for fair resolutions and make recommendations to improve practices of public agencies.
  • Self-regulated health professions, proclaimed under the Health Professions Act such as Alberta College of Optometrists
  • Other designated professional authorities such as accounting, forestry, veterinarian and agrologist professions

What We Don’t Do

  • We do not act as an advocate for complainants or represent government departments or professional organizations.
  • We do not investigate complaints until there is a final decision or response.

    This means we may not become involved until all rights of review or appeal are exhausted, or until the time limits to exercise those rights of review or appeal have expired.
    If you did not exercise the rights of review or appeal or other remedies available to you, the Ombudsman may decide to refuse to investigate your complaint.

  • If you are unsure of your next steps, contact the authority directly, use our complaint checker, or contact us directly.

Who is your complaint about?

Below is a list of organizations that people contact us about most often.

If your complaint is about a jurisdictional authority, we will usually ask you to try to resolve your issue with them first and obtain a final decision or response. If you have tried to resolve your issue and still have concerns, please contact us. If your complaint is about a non-jurisdictional authority, we will try and direct you to the right place to raise your concerns.

The Ombudsman can investigate any administrative decision, recommendation, act or omission of:

  • Alberta provincial government departments, agencies, boards, and commissions
  • Alberta municipalities
  • Patient Concerns Resolution Process of Alberta Health Services
  • Self-regulated health professions, proclaimed under the Health Professions Act such as Alberta College of Optometrists
  • Other designated professional authorities such as accounting, forestry, veterinarian and agrologist professions

The Ombudsman cannot investigate:

  • Decisions made by Federal governments
  • Members of the Legislative Assembly
  • Federal or municipal police forces
  • Decisions made by universities or schools
  • Decisions made by the courts
  • Private businesses or private matters

However, we will likely be able to direct you to the proper office to make your complaint.

Not sure if our office can become involved with your complaint?

Use Our Complaint Checker!
Complaint Checker

Is your complaint ready for us?

The Ombudsman is the final reviewer. Before the Ombudsman can review your complaint, you should make all efforts to resolve it directly with the organization you are complaining about.

Complete the designated review or appeal process, or if there is no process, take your complaint directly to a supervisor within the organization where the decision was made. If you still feel you were treated unfairly after taking these steps, please contact the Alberta Ombudsman’s office.

Take the following steps to try to resolve your complaint:

  • Ask if you can speak with a supervisor or manager about your issue.
  • Clearly explain the specific issue and outcome you seek.
  • Ask if there is a review or appeal available.
  • Write down the names of the people you speak with, when you spoke with them and what they said.
  • Treat people respectfully and listen carefully to them.
  • Ask questions if you do not understand what is being said.

Not Sure? Contact Us!

If you don’t see the organization you’re looking for or you’re still not sure what your next steps are, we can still help! Contact us directly to find out whether our office can become involved with your complaint or direct you to the right place.