Alberta Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner Kevin Brezinski recently returned from Calgary after participating in a series of initiatives aimed at raising awareness and engaging with community-based organizations.
The Ombudsman’s office met with charitable, not-for-profit organizations as part of our multi-year strategy to engage diverse communities, including vulnerable Albertans. Through educational initiatives like these, we aim to empower Albertans with a better understanding of their rights to fairness when accessing government services.
Kindred provides Calgarians with coordinated mental health services and supports the development of strong and nurturing relationships between children and their caregivers.
Between Friends offers a wide range of programming that establishes an inclusive community where people with disabilities of all ages have opportunities to grow and have fun.
Meanwhile, the office of the Public Interest Commissioner was in Calgary to build awareness with public sector employees about reporting wrongdoing in the workplace and the protections afforded to whistleblowers.
Raising awareness is particularly important in the wake of a new survey showing that while the majority of Alberta’s public-sector employees are willing to report a workplace wrongdoing, most don’t know where to go or how they’re protected under the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act.
To help spread the word, representatives from the Public Interest Commissioner’s office engaged with attendees at the two-day Calgary City Teachers’ Convention Trade Show. Hosted at the TELUS Convention Centre, the trade show was attended by more than 10,000 guests, drawn from teachers from Calgary’s two public school boards. Later this month, the office will also attend the Greater Edmonton Teacher’s Convention which welcomes close to 9,000 delegates from the education sector.
Raising awareness and engaging Albertans are critical components of the year-round efforts of both offices. To learn more about our education and awareness initiatives, read the most recent annual report for the Alberta Ombudsman and the Public Interest Commissioner.
