Media releases

November 29, 2019

Ombudsman finds Niagara CAO hiring was "inside job"

Regional council accepts all recommendations for reform
October 31, 2019

Ombudsman’s confidential report on Niagara CAO hiring to be viewed by council Nov. 14

Final report will be published after response is received, per Ombudsman Act.
October 4, 2019

Hamilton committee’s out-of-town meetings to hire city manager did not violate law, Ombudsman finds

But open portion of first meeting was “illegally closed” to public.
July 17, 2019

School consolidation decision process should be redone, Ombudsman tells Near North school board

Investigation reveals meeting and details that were never made public.
June 25, 2019

2018-2019 Annual Report: Ombudsman records one of “busiest years” in office’s history

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today reported on an historic year in which his office handled a 30% surge in complaints and saw its mandate expanded for the second time in four years.
May 1, 2019

Ombudsman can now take complaints about children’s aid societies and French language services

Cases and investigations to be handled by two new specialized units.
April 12, 2019

Ombudsman prepares for expanded oversight of child protection and French language services

New organizational chart, new funding for new responsibilities.
April 5, 2019

Ombudsman releases plan for new French language services unit

New oversight of French language services and child protection begins May 1.
February 28, 2019

Statement by Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé on segregation of inmates and Adam Capay case

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today released the following statement in light of the release of Justice John Fregau’s decision to stay proceedings against Adam Capay, the 26-year-old man who spent more...
February 21, 2019

Ombudsman releases first plans for new child and youth mandate

New units will handle oversight of child protection and French language services.
January 25, 2019

Ombudsman releases new tools to promote municipal transparency

Open meeting guide and digital case digest reflect decade of reports
December 6, 2018

Ontario Ombudsman’s mandate expanded

New legislation transfers jurisdiction over child protection system and French language services.
October 31, 2018

Ombudsman reviewing more than 1,000 complaints about Ontario Cannabis Store

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today confirmed that his office has received more than 1,000 complaints about the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) since it opened October 17. Most are from customers...
September 27, 2018

Ombudsman targets province’s driver licence suspension system - Ministry agrees to modernize cumbersome, confusing notification process

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today called on the Ministry of Transportation to overhaul the way it notifies drivers whose licences are suspended for unpaid fines – a process his investigation found to...
September 18, 2018

Ombudsman assessing new complaints about OPP handling of officers’ operational stress injuries and suicide

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé has directed staff to assess new complaints and issues related to suicides and operational stress injuries among Ontario Provincial Police officers, to determine whether or...
August 30, 2018

Ontario Ombudsman to investigate Niagara region CAO hiring and related issues

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced he will conduct a formal investigation into matters related to the hiring of the Regional Municipality of Niagara’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
July 18, 2018

Niagara Region infringed journalist’s rights: Ombudsman

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today called on the Regional Municipality of Niagara to apologize publicly to a local journalist and a citizen blogger for seizing their property and ejecting them from a...
June 27, 2018

Ombudsman details benefits of independent oversight Annual Report 2017-2018

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today cited improvements in accountability and bureaucratic leadership in several public sector bodies as a measure of how independent offices like his can make public...
May 11, 2018

Ontario Ombudsman again nominated as one of Canada’s most influential lawyers

For the second straight year, Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé is among the nominees for Canadian Lawyer magazine’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada.
May 1, 2018

Ombudsman to investigate province’s handling of ambulance service complaints

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced an investigation into how the province oversees patient complaints and incident reports about ambulance services.
April 11, 2018

Township should apologize, forgive property owner’s $11,700 debt

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today called on the Township of St. Clair to apologize to a resident for surprising her with a bill for $11,700.63 in by-law enforcement expenses that it had no legal...