André Marin:

The Ombudsman

André Marin was reappointed as Ontario’s sixth Ombudsman on June 1, 2010, for a second five-year term. He was first appointed as the Ombudsman in April 2005. He brings to the Ombudsman’s office a highly respected and extensive background in the oversight of public institutions. Since his appointment, he has reorganized the office and refocused its resources on high-profile, systemic investigations into issues affecting millions of Ontarians, from newborn babies to property taxpayers to lottery players, through the creation of the Special Ombudsman Response Team (SORT).

Along with responding to more than 14,000 individual complaints a year, the office has conducted numerous systemic investigations using SORT, resulting in dramatic government reforms. The Ombudsman's recommendations to date have been overwhelmingly accepted by the government.

Mr. Marin’s pioneering work in conducting systemic administrative investigations has drawn the interest of the global ombudsman community. His expertise in setting up an effective ombudsman office and investigative teams has been sought out by ombudsmen and other watchdog agencies across Canada and around the world. From May 2007 to May 2009, he served as president of the Forum of Canadian Ombudsman, representing public and private ombudsmen across the country. He has also been the North American Regional Vice-President of the International Ombudsman Institute since July 2006.

Mr. Marin received the Ontario Bar Association Tom Marshall Award of Excellence in April 2009 for his outstanding contribution to the practice of public sector law in Ontario. In 2011, he was honoured with an Order of Merit, awarded by the Civil Law Section of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law. The award is the Civil Law Section’s highest distinction, recognizing alumni who have made remarkable contributions to the legal profession and demonstrated exceptional community and social engagement. He was also celebrated by the Carleton University Alumni Association, receiving their highest alumni honour, the A.D. Dunton Alumni Award of Distinction, for his contributions to law and public service in Canada.

Prior to his appointment as Ombudsman of Ontario, Mr. Marin served as Canada’s first Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces, responsible for the investigation of complaints from those serving in the Canadian military as well as civilian members. His work led to resolving systemic problems as he made recommendations to ensure accountability, transparency and the integration of ethics into Canada’s military.

Before becoming the military Ombudsman, Mr. Marin was Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, from 1996 to 1998. The SIU is an independent, civilian agency mandated to maintain public confidence in Ontario’s police services by assuring police actions resulting in serious injury or death are subjected to rigorous, independent investigations. Prior to 1996, Mr. Marin was an Assistant Crown Attorney with the Ministry of the Attorney General in Ottawa and became known for prosecuting difficult, high-profile and sensitive criminal cases.

He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Carleton University in 1985, and subsequently graduated magna cum laude from the University of Ottawa in 1989 with degrees in both common and civil law.