Although the Ontario Ombudsman's investigation into a luncheon involving some London city councillors is ongoing, there has been some public discussion and speculation over the policies and procedures of the Office with regards to closed meetings.
Date:
04/13/2012
The Ombudsman found that London councillors did not violate the Municipal Act when they met in camera to discuss the "Occupy London" protest last November.
Date:
03/19/2012
The Ontario Ombudsman cautions City of Hamilton councillors they were on thin ice - but finds their breakfast with the Edmonton Oilers' president and local hockey coach didn't break the open meeting law.
Date:
02/22/2012
The Ontario Ombudsman reviewed several complaints alleging that improper closed meetings had occurred in Clarence-Rockland between November 2010 and June 2011.
Date:
02/15/2012
The Ombudsman found that the City of Hamilton held two improperly closed sessions on June 27, 2011, during which the dissolution of the Board of Directors of Hamilton Entertainment Convention Facilities Inc., as well as a grant request from McMaster University, were discussed.
Date:
01/11/2012
The Ombudsman confirmed that the council for the Town of Amherstburg repeatedly contravened the Municipal Act and its own procedure by-law.
Date:
01/06/2012
Investigation into the Ministry of the Attorney General’s implementation of recommendations concerning reform of the Special Investigations Unit.
Date:
12/14/2011
Ombudsman's Message: The Future of Government is Open
Ontario Ombudsman André Marin called on the government of Ontario to embrace the worldwide trend toward open government, noting that many of his investigations of government organizations revealed a lack of transparency and accountability to Ontarians.
Date:
06/21/2011
The Ombudsman found that the Town of Amherstburg improperly held a vote during an emergency closed meeting in February 2011 regarding rescinding naming rights for a local recreation complex from a convicted sex offender.
Date:
03/17/2011
The Ombudsman determined that the Town of Mattawa’s Ad Hoc Heritage Committee held a series of improperly closed meetings.
Date:
01/11/2011
Investigation into The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services’ conduct in relation to Ontario Regulation 233/10 under the Public Works Protection Act.
Date:
12/07/2010
Ombudsman finds the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN closed several meetings to the public for the purposes of “education” illegal.
Date:
08/10/2010
The Ombudsman determined that the council of the Town of South Bruce discussed a topic in closed session in September 2009 that was not properly identified in the resolution authorizing the meeting. The investigation also determined that unhealthy tensions existed at that time on council that contributed to its failure to comply with the open meetings law.
Date:
07/07/2010
Ombudsman's Message: A strong foundation for better governance
As Ontarians brace for a new round of belt-tightening initiatives targeted at deficit elimination, the Ombudsman’s role becomes all the more critical. The public, the Legislative Assembly and government administrators need to have confidence that there is an impartial, fair and unbiased overseer available to listen to all sides, investigate thoroughly, and provide balanced advice and guidance.
Date:
06/15/2010
Ministry decision to restrict cancer drug "verges on cruelty" - Ombudsman finds cap on Avastin funding unreasonable and wrong.
Date:
09/30/2009
Ontario Ombudsman urges stricter controls on colleges: Cambrian college left students unqualified; Ministry "abdicated responsibility"
Date:
08/25/2009
Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today urged the province's Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to get tougher on unscrupulous private career colleges.
Date:
07/14/2009
Ombudsman’s Message: Championing Value in Hard Times
Ontarians, like everyone else, have been greatly affected by the global recession this past year. Just as individuals and businesses are coping with job losses and financial stress, our governments are grappling with increased demand for services and deficit budgeting.
Date:
06/23/2009
The Ombudsman found Baldwin Township council contravened the open meeting requirements of the Municipal Act in July 2008 and recommended several changes to its practices and procedure by-law.
Date:
05/23/2009
Investigation into the City of Oshawa, Development Services Committee Special Meeting of May 22, 2008.
Date:
04/29/2009
Investigation into the City of Oshawa's apparent failure to co-operate.
Date:
04/27/2009
The Ombudsman found an Oshawa council committee improperly met behind closed doors in May 2008 in an “education and training” session with representatives of a recycling company that had been the subject of odour complaints.
Date:
04/23/2009
The Ombudsman found that the Township of Enniskillen council considered a land acquisition in closed session, which is permitted, but the resolution authorizing the closed meeting was vague and other topics were discussed that could not legally be dealt with in a closed meeting.
Date:
04/03/2009
The Ombudsman found that Nipissing Township council improperly held a closed meeting on April 25, 2008.
Date:
02/06/2009
The Ombudsman found the Township of Emo violated provisions of the Municipal Act in relation to a closed session held on April 8, 2008.
Date:
01/30/2009
Investigation into the Special Investigations Unit's operational effectiveness and credibility.
Date:
09/30/2008
Investigation into Legal Aid Ontario’s Role in the Funding of the Criminal Defence of Richard Wills.
Date:
06/26/2008
Ombudsman’s Message: Shining the Light
Once again this year, this Office’s efforts to expose government to the light of scrutiny have shown great success. We have called provincial officials to account for their conduct and worked with them to improve the service they offer to millions of Ontarians.
Date:
06/17/2008
Investigation into how the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services represents its relationship with Tarion Warranty Corp. to the public.
Date:
06/03/2008
The Ombudsman warned Sudbury councillors that their closed-door meeting regarding the city’s Elton John concert ticket scandal was close to the legal line.
Date:
04/25/2008
The Ombudsman found that Fort Erie council did nothing wrong when it met behind closed doors on January 7, 2008 for an “education and training session.” However, in the interest of furthering transparency in local government, the Ombudsman recommended that council give more detail about such meetings in advance.
Date:
02/06/2008
Ombudsman’s Message: Few Left Untouched
Few people in Ontario have been left untouched by this Office’s work. We have helped thousands of individuals – more than 20,200 in the past fiscal year alone – navigate through government red tape and find solutions to their problems.
Date:
06/27/2007
Investigation into the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Protection of the Public from Fraud and Theft.
Date:
03/26/2007
Investigation into the treatment of victims by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
Date:
02/27/2007
Investigation into the complaint of the Family Responsibility Office's ineffective enforcement using a Writ of Seizure and Sale.
Date:
08/09/2006
Ombudsman's Message: Humanizing government
This has been a remarkable year, rich with accomplishment. We have ferreted out systemic problems that caused frustration – even tragedy – for some, and we have helped many others who had problems of their own in dealing with government.
Date:
06/22/2006
Investigation into unreasonable delay at the Ministry of Community and Social Services' Ontario Disability Support Program's Disability Adjudication Unit.
Date:
05/31/2006
Investigation into the transparency of the property assessment Process and the integrity and efficiency of decision-making at the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.
Date:
03/28/2006
Investigation into whether the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has failed to properly administer newborn screening in Ontario.
Date:
09/27/2005
Investigation into the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's refusal to fund the drug Cystagon for treatment of Batten's Disease.
Date:
09/01/2005
The year 2004-2005 was one of transition for Ombudsman Ontario, as Ontario’s fifth Ombudsman, Clare Lewis, Q.C., served the final year of his term, retiring at the end of January 2005.
Date:
06/29/2005
Investigation into parents of children with special needs being forced to relinquish custody of their children to obtain necessary residential care.
Date:
05/20/2005
I am now serving in my final year as Ombudsman of Ontario. Reflecting on the past four and one-half years, I believe that my office has been through a process of positive change both structurally and culturally. Since assuming office, I have encouraged strategic and efficient use of our resources to ensure maximum effect.
Date:
06/17/2004
This past year has seen a continuation of the process of organizational renewal commenced last year as we pursue our mission of “working to ensure fair and accountable provincial government service.” It is my intention to ensure that my office demonstrates the values of Fairness, Accountability, Integrity and Respect not just in its words but in its actions.
Date:
06/01/2003