Making it Fair is a podcast series led by the Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO). In this video, Diann Bowes and Chad Bouman join host, Lindsay Sellinger on a journey to explore the evolution of Alberta’s administrative fairness principles and the difference these principles are making to individual lives and government systems overall. To…
EDMONTON – Alberta Ombudsman, Kevin Brezinski and his staff met with the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council (ACCEC) today. The organization, led by Executive Director and President, Dunia Nur, is a national public affairs organization that promotes and strengthens opportunities for African, Caribbean, Black and Racialized Communities. “ACCEC’s research initiatives speak to the lived experiences…
A swearing-in ceremony for the leader of two independent offices of the Alberta Legislative Assembly took place today. Kevin Brezinski is Alberta’s tenth Ombudsman and third Public Interest Commissioner, accepting a five-year appointment to the dual roles. As an independent Officer of the Legislative Assembly, Brezinski will lead investigative operations for both offices. “Hearing I…
This opinion piece by former staffer Daniel Johns first appeared in the Edmonton Journal on October 28, 2022. Daniel Johns is an ex-journalist who began his career at the Alberta Ombudsman’s office in 1986. He retired in the summer of 2022 as Manager, Institutional Knowledge, and Research after 36 years with the office. Back in…
The Alberta Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner’s offices welcomed distinguished guests from Nigeria this week. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, is a special committee of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with powers of oversight functions and mandate to consider all petitions from Nigerians, both public and private. The…
Join us in celebrating the 5th annual Ombuds Day! What is Ombuds Day? Ombuds Day is recognized internationally on the second Thursday of October to bring awareness to the important role ombuds play in their respective communities. In countries around the world, ombuds work to pursue fair treatment and protect people from maladministration. This…
For a second year, the offices will close daily operations on September 30 to enable staff to commemorate the day with study, reflection and community activities dedicated to further both personal and collective reconciliation. “Acknowledging the traumatic intergenerational impact the residential school system had, and continues to have, on thousands of Indigenous children and their…
The 2021-22 report marks the 55th edition of its kind presented to Alberta’s Legislative Assembly. The number of requests for assistance and complaints about unfair treatment the office received increased slightly over year one of the pandemic with health-related matters remaining at the forefront. The Ombudsman’s investigation into the Out-of-Country Health Services field reinforced an…
This is the fourth and last article in a series of articles Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Alberta Ombudsman produced to provide an update, four years into the Ombudsman’s office handling complaints involving municipalities. An Ombudsman investigation can be a learning opportunity for a municipality. The goal is not to lay blame,…
This is the third article in a series of articles Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Alberta Ombudsman produced to provide an update, four years into the Ombudsman’s office handling complaints involving municipalities. Complaints have value, and when channeled effectively, offer municipalities the opportunity to improve operations, standards, and service delivery. However, when…
This is the second in a series of articles Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Alberta Ombudsman have produced to provide an update, four years into the Ombudsman’s office handling complaints involving municipalities. Complaints are registered against even the most effectively run municipalities. When a complaint generates a call from the Ombudsman, many…
This is the first in a series of articles Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Alberta Ombudsman have produced to provide an update, four years into the Ombudsman’s office handling complaints involving municipalities. When the Ombudsman’s office first received and investigated municipality-related complaints, each case mapped out new ground. For the last four…
Ombudsman Marianne Ryan welcomes esteemed colleagues for the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman. The Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO) is a council comprised of provincial and territorial Ombudsman whose mandate it is to ensure people are being treated fairly in the delivery of public services. Annually, the council members come…
PEI becomes the latest province to appoint an independent officer responsible for ensuring fairness and providing a safe avenue for whistleblower complaints in the public service. Next week, Sandy Hermiston will become the province’s first Ombudsperson and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner. The Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO) warmly welcomes the news. “On behalf of…
When improving complex government systems, policy makers often find that arriving at a destination simply means the ultimate goal still lies somewhere up the road. This lesson certainly applies as the Ombudsman accepts the final progress report Alberta Health posted to its website in November 2021 in response to the 2019 Ombudsman Own Motion report,…
Marianne Ryan, Alberta’s Ombudsman took the unusual step of publicly commenting on a complaint received involving Alberta Health Services. The city of Red Deer, along with the municipalities of Calgary, Lethbridge and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo filed a complaint to the Ombudsman regarding Alberta Health Services’ consolidation of ambulance emergency dispatch services. The…
The Alberta Ombudsman recognizes three former staffers who went on to establish complaint-handling offices with solid roots in procedural fairness. “These three women contributed significantly during their years at the Ombudsman’s office and have gone on to do great work pursuing fairness within or alongside the Ombudsman community,” reflects Marianne Ryan, Alberta’s ninth Ombudsman and…
The 2020-21 annual report summarizes a productive year, albeit a uniquely challenging one. When COVID-19 significantly affected operations, the Ombudsman’s office adjusted in order to fulfill its mandate of ensuring fairness for Albertans seeking assistance from the public service. COVID-19 changed priorities for most people across the province, but the degree of impact grew for…
The Alberta Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner’s offices will be taking time this September 30, 2021, to reflect on the tragic history of residential schools and all those affected. Marianne Ryan, the Alberta Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner will be closing her offices on September 30th in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Her staff will be encouraged to commemorate the day and reflect on how the offices may continually…
On March 17, 2020, the Government of Alberta declared a state of public health emergency across the province as concerns over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic grew. In the weeks that followed, the government responded further by implementing public health measures that drastically affected peoples’ lives at home, school and in the workplace. People across…
Alberta Ombudsman, Marianne Ryan introduces best practice paper “Giving Voice to Mental Health Patients” at the virtual International Ombudsman Institute’s 12th General Assembly and World Conference this week. The paper, inspired by Mary Marshall of Meadows Law and former solicitor to the Alberta Ombudsman, and written by Alberta Ombudsman staffer Daniel Johns, was co-presented by the trio in…
As countries around the world, and some jurisdictions in Canada contemplate how or if certification of COVID-19 vaccination status will be implemented in daily life, Canadian Ombudsman are stressing a cautious approach that places fairness at the heart of any potential vaccination certification system that is applied to public services. The Canadian Council of Parliamentary…
EDMONTON – Ombudsman’s own motion investigation into the use of segregation in Alberta’s young offender centres leads to eight recommendations for improvement. In Alberta, youth accused or found guilty of breaking the law may be required to spend time in a provincial correctional facility. The Young Offender Branch, within the Ministry of Justice and…
This article by Alberta Ombudsman staffer Daniel Johns (pictured right) and former Correctional Investigator of Canada Howard Sapers (pictured left) was first published by Policy Magazine, based out of Ottawa. Mr. Johns started as an investigator more than 30 years ago while Mr. Sapers is a former Alberta Member of the Legislative…
Everyone benefits when the Ombudsman helps parties on both sides find quick, simple solutions. If the Ombudsman’s office can facilitate a fair solution to address a complaint, we can reduce frustration for all. Early resolution is a preliminary investigative step where the Ombudsman investigator takes action to resolve the issue informally and as efficiently as…
Albertans submitted over 5,100 complaints about unfair treatment, states the Alberta Ombudsman’s 53rd annual report. “The fundamental purpose of the Ombudsman is to be of service to the people. In providing oversight, too often we see avoidable instances of unfairness stemming from a disagreement with a decision, poor service delivery or inadequate communication,” Marianne Ryan…
EDMONTON – On Thursday, October 8, 2020, provincial and territorial offices of the Ombudsman from across Canada will celebrate Ombuds Day, a day to recognize a profession that has existed for centuries yet remains relatively unknown and underutilized: the Ombuds. “The role of the Ombudsman is in ensuring citizens with a right to access a…
Timeliness is a factor in fairness. Cases from two different authorities illustrate the point that reaching the correct decision is of primary importance, but administrative delay can cause secondary issues of unfairness. Alberta Human Rights Commission The Alberta Human Rights Commission (AHRC or the commission) is working to eliminate the backlog of complaints…
While retirement is a milestone most of us will achieve, not many of us will reach 47 years at the same office. “When I started in 1973, the Ombudsman’s office was relatively new and the relationship between the office and many government departments was less than congenial. But, as departments became more familiar with the…
The Alberta Ombudsman was saddened to hear about the passing of Brian Carver, a long-term employee of the office. Brian died on May 23, 2020 in Sherwood Park at age 82. Brian spent 17 years with the Alberta Ombudsman, starting as an investigator and eventually being appointed director of the north office. His dedication…
Should municipal administrators invite their citizens to complain to the Ombudsman? An Ombudsman investigation should be seen as an opportunity by a municipality. The goal is not to lay blame, but to fix problems and help the municipality avoid future complaints by improving its processes. Here are five reasons for supporting the Ombudsman investigation: Mistakes…
EDMONTON – The Alberta Ombudsman releases a series of case examples highlighting the benefits of a collaborative approach to resolving complaints about municipalities. In April 2018, the role of the Alberta Ombudsman expanded to include municipalities. Municipalities serve as local government and are responsible for providing services, facilities, safety and infrastructure for their communities. In…
In light of the ongoing situation with COVID-19, we have adapted our business practices to serve Albertans remotely. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure we are able to meet the requirements of our legislation, while we align with the latest announcements made to protect public health. Every Albertan has the right to…
Until further notice and effective immediately, we have made the decision to close offices in both Edmonton and Calgary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The health and well-being of our staff and visitors to our office remains of primary importance to us. We are closely monitoring this rapidly evolving situation to ensure our…
This fall, the Ombudsman and a team of managers set off on the first leg of her tour to promote fair decision-making in adult provincial correctional facilities. The visits stemmed from a pilot presentation at Edmonton Remand Centre in March 2019, where investigators were invited to speak on the importance of good administrative fairness practices.…
EDMONTON – the Alberta Ombudsman releases a report on Mental Health Review Panels. In 2013 and 2014, the previous Alberta Ombudsman found broad areas of unfairness with Mental Health Review Panels (review panels) processes and made several recommendations to improve the situation. We launched this investigation because the 2014 recommendations had not been fully implemented.…
This is the last article in a series AUMA and the Alberta Ombudsman produced to provide information on the relationship between the Ombudsman and Municipalities. To read the full series visit our News page or AUMA’s MGA Change Management page. Our office works to promote fair decisions and fair decision-making processes in the administration of…
This is the third in a series of articles AUMA and the Alberta Ombudsman are producing to provide information on the relationship between the Ombudsman and Municipalities. To read the full series, follow us here or visit AUMA’s MGA Change Management page. The Alberta Ombudsman is contacted by citizens who feel something is not fair…
This is the second in a series of articles AUMA and the Alberta Ombudsman are producing to provide information on the relationship between the Ombudsman and Municipalities. To read the full series, follow us here or visit AUMA’s MGA Change Management page. In 2017-18, the Alberta Ombudsman received over 4,600 inquiries and written complaints…
As of April 1, 2018, the Alberta Ombudsman’s jurisdiction expanded to include municipalities. The office may now act on complaints about municipalities and, if warranted, initiate investigations into municipal decisions and decision-making processes. The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) and the Ombudsman’s office are collaborating on a series of articles to provide municipalities information on…
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 legislation that calls into force the office of the Ombudsman and sets out the powers, duties and…
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, with the passage of Bill 21 – the Modernized Municipal Government Act, it was confirmed…
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, via Bill 21 – the Modernized Municipal Government Act. In a recent news release, Municipal…
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 Ombudsman was primarily seen as an agent who would help citizens negotiate their way through…
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 not a provincial agency within the meaning of the Ombudsman Act. 1968 An amendment was passed on April…
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 Services. It also investigates complaints about municipalities; the Alberta Legislature has passed the new Municipal…
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 office. They can also book an individual appointment with an investigator to discuss how they…
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 Commanding Officer for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Alberta, and was one of the…
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 to fair treatment,” said Peter Hourihan, the Alberta Ombudsman. “This type of community outreach gives…
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 of complaints will the Ombudsman review? The Ombudsman will investigate complaints from people who feel they have…
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 in a meaningful and collaborative manner with both complainants and municipalities in the future. We have…
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 receiving complaints from Albertans asked to pay a $500 fee to request a review of…
EDMONTON – Investigators with the Alberta Ombudsman will visit Brooks and Medicine Hat in early October. “It’s important for Albertans to understand how our office works, and the rights and obligations they and government service providers have when it comes to fair treatment,” said Hourihan. “These community visits provide Albertans with direct access to our…
EDMONTON – The Alberta Ombudsman and investigators will visit Whitecourt on June 6th and Edson on June 7th. Residents of Whitecourt, Edson and surrounding communities are invited to attend presentations by an investigator about the role of our office. They can also book an individual appointment with an investigator to discuss how they may have been…
EDMONTON – Alberta Ombudsman investigators will visit Camrose on April 5th and Drumheller on April 6th. “Ensuring Albertans have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with an investigator, when they would normally not have access given their location, is an important part of our outreach initiative,” says Peter Hourihan, Alberta’s Ombudsman. “We encourage community residents to…
EDMONTON – Alberta Ombudsman investigators will visit Rocky Mountain House on October 28th and Drayton Valley on October 29th. Residents of Rocky Mountain House, Drayton Valley and surrounding communities are invited to attend presentations by an investigator about the role of our office. They can also book an appointment with an investigator to discuss how they…
An Alberta Ombudsman review of the Student Aid Alberta program has led to changes by the province to improve information and transparency regarding the student loan review process. The Ombudsman’s review was triggered by a student inquiry in 2014 about the review process. The Ombudsman found there was insufficient information on Alberta Innovation and Advanced…
The Alberta Ombudsman investigates complaints to determine whether a government entity has acted fairly and reasonably, and whether its actions and decisions were consistent with relevant legislation, policies and procedures. The Ombudsman is independent from government. We strive to be open, approachable and responsive to the questions and concerns of all Albertans. Below are some…
EDMONTON – Peter Hourihan, Alberta’s Ombudsman, and a team of investigators will visit Canmore and High River later this month. “We want to ensure Albertans are able to learn more about how our office works, and have direct, face-to-face access with our investigators,” said Hourihan. “Reaching out directly to Albertans in communities outside Edmonton and…
The offices of the Alberta Ombudsman and Saskatchewan Ombudsman will host a public presentation and provide one-on-one meetings for complainants in Lloydminster later this month. “We recognize Lloydminster is in a unique geographic position, and our two offices felt it would be appropriate to conduct a joint visit,” said Peter Hourihan, Alberta’s Ombudsman. “Reaching out…
The Alberta Ombudsman met with more than 60 members of the Elders Advocates of Alberta Society on January 27 in Edmonton. “We heard a lot of comments and questions about seniors care, and it echoes what we hear on a regular basis when we meet with complainants or deliver presentations across Alberta,” said Peter Hourihan,…
By Peter Hourihan Alberta Ombudsman (Some details about the complainant have been changed to protect his privacy.) How does a 10 second encounter turn into 10 years of frustration? In the case of one Albertan who complained to our office, a thoughtless comment led to a breakdown in trust of the health care system –…
Alberta’s Ombudsman and a team of investigators will visit St. Paul and Bonnyville in mid-November. The visit provides area residents an opportunity to meet with investigators if feel they have been treated unfairly by an Alberta government department, agency, board, commission, a designated professional body, or Alberta Health Services’ patient concerns office. “We’ve been fanning…
Alberta’s Ombudsman, Peter Hourihan, spoke recently with members of the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs in Lethbridge about the role of both the offices of the Ombudsman and the Public Interest Commissioner. Click the links below to hear Peter’s September 18 speech, as well as a question and answer session. Speech: http://sacpa.ca/userfile/session/649_0.mp3 Q &…
The Alberta Ombudsman and a team of investigators will visit Pincher Creek and Lethbridge later this month. “Visiting communities, and going directly to Albertans who may need our help, is really one of the most effective ways of getting the word out about our services,” said Peter Hourihan, Alberta’s Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner. Residents…
Last year, the Alberta Ombudsman received more than 1,000 written complaints. Not only is this is an increase of 11 per cent from the previous year, but it’s the first time the office passed that mark since 1995. It’s just one of the findings in our 2013-14 annual report, released this month. Peter Hourihan, the…
Ombudsman investigators will be available to meet with with Albertans who feel they have been treated unfairly by an Alberta government department or authority. Investigators will be Olds on August 20 at the Olds Recreation Centre between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our investigators will also be in Hinton on August 22 at the Hinton…
Joe Loran, Deputy Ombudsman, and Diann Bowes, an investigations manager who heads up the Ombudsman’s Own Motion Team, discuss an ongoing investigation. Last year, the Alberta Ombudsman created a special investigations team. Its mission was to conduct own motion investigations, which can be triggered at any time, on any matter of public interest under our…
This spring, Ombudsman investigators fanned out across Alberta, visiting the northern and southern parts of the province. On May 14, a team of investigators visited Slake Lake, meeting 11 residents at the Rotary Club of Slave Lake Public Library. The following month, on June 12, investigators were in Brooks, meeting with 22 residents at the Brooks Public Library.…
Alberta Ombudsman investigators will visit Slake Lake on May 14 to meet residents who have complaints or concerns with how they were treated by an Alberta government department, agency, board, commission, designated professional organization, or Alberta Health Service’s patient concerns office. Residents can call us toll-free at 1-888-455-2756 to book an appointment with an investigator…
On Wednesday, April 9, the Alberta Ombudsman was made aware this website, and the website for the Public Interest Commissioner (www.yourvoiceprotected.ca) were some of the thousands of sites around the world vulnerable to the so-called Heartbleed loophole, or bug. News stories indicate websites using OpenSSL for site security (including Yahoo, the FBI, the Canada Revenue…
Peter Hourihan, Alberta’s Ombudsman, and a team of investigators visited Red Deer and Lacombe, March 11 and 12. “It was great to meet and inform Albertans about what exactly our office does, what we can investigate and the different ways we help people find the answers they’re looking for,” said Hourihan. Residents of Red Deer,…
Peter Hourihan dropped by Edmonton’s 630 CHED studios recently to chat about his dual roles as Alberta’s Ombudsman and the province’s first Public Interest Commissioner. The stop was part of Peter’s efforts to raise awareness of the services offered by both independent offices of the Alberta legislature. He chatted with 630 CHED hosts Andrew Grose and…
Visiting communities across Alberta is one of the best ways to connect with people. That’s why Alberta’s Ombudsman, Peter Hourihan, and a team of investigators have been visiting towns and cities across the province since last spring. The goal is to hear first-hand from Albertans about the issues and concerns they face when dealing with…
The Alberta Ombudsman’s 2012/2013 annual report is available for download, here. It provides a detailed look at the work we’ve done over the past year, as well as the path we’re charting for years to come, and our plan to get there. This year’s edition features a focus on our oversight role with Alberta’s designated…
Alberta’s Ombudsman, Peter Hourihan, visited Medicine Hat on Tuesday, May 29, and Lethbridge on Wednesday, May 30. Residents attended a presentation by Mr. Hourihan, and had the opportunity to meet with Ombudsman investigators for information about how the office works, and to discuss complaints of unfair treatment by the Alberta government. “This was a very…
Peter Hourihan, Alberta’s Ombudsman, has officially begun his duties as the province’s first Public Interest Commissioner. The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act came into effect June 1, 2013, and in the weeks following Mr. Hourihan’s appointment as Commissioner, he was been working to set up the Public Interest Commissioner’s office, hiring staff and developing an interactive…
The Ombudsman attended the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) meeting in Vienna, Austria in April 2013. A number of Board business items were addressed. Most significantly, the IOI approved 7,500 euros to the City of Toronto Ombudsman, which is developing a protocol for Accountability of Ombudsman offices. This is a needed and overdue study, and will…
Alberta’s Ombudsman hosted all Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO) members across Canada in May. In addition to holding the annual meeting, a tour was taken of the new Remand Centre in Edmonton. This was an excellent opportunity to view the centre. A short meeting was also held with the Lieutenant Government, along with a tour of…
Welcome to the third issue of our electronic newsletter. As always, our goal is to inform you about the work our office does as we investigate complaints of unfair treatment – and how it may impact you as a front line worker or decision-maker in government. In this issue, you’ll find a preview of our…