Media releases

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.
June 1, 2020

Ontario Ombudsman to investigate government’s oversight of long-term care homes during pandemic

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today launched an investigation into the oversight of long-term care homes by the province’s Ministry of Long-Term Care and Ministry of Health during the ongoing COVID-19...
April 9, 2020

Statement by the Ombudsman: Our service to citizens during the coronavirus emergency

In accordance with the guidance of public health authorities and the provincial government, the office locations of Ombudsman Ontario have been closed since March 16. Despite this, my staff and I...
April 9, 2020

Ombudsman handling hundreds of complaints during coronavirus state of emergency

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today stressed that his office continues to help Ontarians during the present state of emergency, and has responded to hundreds of public complaints related to the COVID-19...
March 26, 2020

Statement by Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé on COVID-19 and Ontario’s correctional facilities

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today released the following statement regarding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the province’s correctional facilities.
March 23, 2020

Statement by the Ombudsman: COVID-19 – Message to the public

As I write this, Ontario is in an unprecedented state of emergency, due to the global outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Millions of people are working from home and practicing “social distancing”...
February 12, 2020

Ombudsman Paul Dubé supports Venice Principles, strong legal foundation for ombudsman institutions

Speaking to colleagues from across Canada and around the world, Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé this week welcomed new international standards that define, promote and protect the role of ombudsmen in...
January 9, 2020

Ontario Ombudsman to investigate delays at Landlord and Tenant Board

In the wake of a recent surge in complaints, Ombudsman Dubé today announced an investigation into serious delays at the LTB, the administrative tribunal that resolves residential tenancy disputes.
December 30, 2020

Statement by the Ombudsman: Looking back on 2019 and ahead to 2020

As we close 2019 and look ahead to a new decade, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the recent historic changes to the Ombudsman’s Office, and to discuss our priorities for 2020.