Media releases

September 29, 2023

Ombudsman's message for National Day of Truth and reconciliation, September 30, 2023

It is essential that as a province, and as a nation, we continue to recognize the tragic effects of residential schools on the Indigenous children who attended those schools, and on the survivors who...
September 7, 2023

Long-term care inspection system collapsed during deadly first weeks of COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario Ombudsman finds

Ministry of Long-Term Care accepts all recommendations to improve preparedness for next crisis
June 7, 2023

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé welcomes colleagues from across Canada for annual fairness talks

This week, Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé welcomed ombudsman colleagues from Canadian provinces and territories for the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO), held at...
May 4, 2023

Ombudsman calls for legislative change, overhaul of “moribund” Landlord and Tenant Board

Paul Dubé: Severe backlogs and delays denied justice to landlords and tenants alike
April 13, 2023

Child welfare agencies failed to ensure safety of Indigenous girl at risk of human trafficking, Ombudsman finds

Three agencies in northern and southern Ontario accept all 58 recommendations
March 27, 2023

Ombudsman to investigate cases of people with developmental disabilities who are inappropriately housed in hospitals

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced a new investigation into the plight of adults with developmental disabilities who are inappropriately housed in hospital due to a lack of supports and...
December 19, 2022

Children’s Aid Society of Toronto repeatedly failed to comply with child protection standards and act in child’s best interests: Ombudsman

All recommendations accepted after investigation finds boy’s voice was “unheard and unheeded” for years
December 7, 2022

French Language Services Commissioner reports “important advancements” in 2021-2022

Kelly Burke: More than 1,000 cases resolved since May 2019 – “I am proud of the work we have accomplished”
August 10, 2022

Increase in cases means help for more Ontarians: Ombudsman

Annual Report 2021-2022: Broader public sector, child welfare and landlord/tenant issues among top areas of concern
April 26, 2022

Ombudsman calls for transparency, consultation in planning youth custody and detention program closures

Investigation reveals “significant flaws” in secretive operation that left affected youths and Indigenous communities in the dark
March 31, 2022

Laurentian University and province failed to protect French programs from cuts during restructuring, Commissioner reports

Kelly Burke: University and two ministries must do more to ensure the French Language Services Act is respected
December 7, 2021

French Language Services Commissioner recommends assessment tool to aid government in protecting Ontario’s “linguistic health”

Equivalent service in French and a positive experience for Francophones often lacking in 2020-2021, Kelly Burke reports
September 29, 2021

Ombudsman’s message for Truth and Reconciliation Day, September 30, 2021

Today is the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day to remember and commemorate the thousands of Indigenous children who were taken away from their communities and forced to...
June 28, 2021

Ombudsman’s Annual Report stresses “essential” oversight of public sector in pandemic, highlights improvements and gaps

In handling 20,015 cases, watchdog “ensured transparency, accountability, fairness and respect for people’s rights”
May 26, 2021

Ombudsman and counterparts urge fairness in vaccine certification approaches

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé is joining his counterparts from across Canada in urging that provincial and territorial governments considering vaccine passports do so with fairness and caution.
May 20, 2021

Ombudsman recommends overhauling “complicated, overburdened” ambulance oversight system to protect patient safety

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today called on the Ministry of Health to improve its processes for investigating complaints about ambulance services, in a report that reveals a system that is complicated...
April 12, 2021

Ombudsman Paul Dubé to receive Ontario Bar Association award for excellence in public sector law

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé has been named this year’s winner of the Ontario Bar Association’s Tom Marshall Award of Excellence for Public Sector Lawyers, honouring his contributions to public sector...
March 16, 2021

Ombudsman to investigate complaints about two youth justice centre closures

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced that his office has launched an investigation into complaints related to the government’s abrupt closures of two youth justice centres in Kenora and Thunder...
December 10, 2020

Commissioner calls on all Ontario ministries to produce plans to improve French language services

Kelly Burke's vision: "Equivalent service, without delay (s’il vous plaît)"
September 10, 2020

Ontario Ombudsman appoints new Director, Special Ombudsman Response Team

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced the promotion of Domonie Pierre to the position of Director, Special Ombudsman Response Team (SORT), effective September 14.
June 30, 2020

Ombudsman reports on 2019-2020 – “A year like no other”

Releasing his latest Annual Report today, Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé reflected on the stunning and ongoing challenges faced by the province’s public sector due to the coronavirus pandemic.