Media releases

June 2, 2017

Ombudsman nominated as one of Canada’s most influential lawyers

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé is among the nominees for Canadian Lawyer magazine’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada.
May 31, 2017

Ombudsman finds municipality’s trespass order against councillor unjust and excessive

Barring a councillor from the local town hall for more than two years is “excessive and unjustly punitive,” Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé has found in his first investigation of a complaint about a...
May 24, 2017

Ombudsman to investigate communication of driver’s licence suspensions and reinstatements

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced an investigation into how the province communicates licence suspensions and reinstatements to drivers who were suspended for unpaid fines, in the wake of...
April 20, 2017

Ombudsman calls for clear new law, strong oversight of inmate segregation

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today called on the province to reform its flawed system of placing and tracking inmates in solitary confinement, after his latest investigation revealed numerous issues...
March 6, 2017

Ombudsman clears Brampton in procurement investigation, calls for improvements to optimize transparency and accountability

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé’s investigation into non-competitive procurements in the city of Brampton found no evidence of maladministration, but identified several ways the city could improve its...
December 30, 2016

Ombudsman’s top 10 stories of 2016

It’s been a year of historic change for our office, as the Ombudsman’s mandate doubled and we were able to help Ontarians with a whole new range of issues in the broader public sector. Here are 10 of...
December 29, 2016

Ontario Ombudsman marks one year of oversight of municipalities and universities

As the new year approaches, the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman is set to mark one year of oversight of municipalities and universities. Since the historic new jurisdiction took effect Jan. 1, the...
December 2, 2016

Ombudsman to investigate segregation process in Ontario jails

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced an investigation into how the province tracks and reviews the placement of inmates in solitary confinement in its correctional facilities, in light of...
November 2, 2016

Ombudsman reports on first year of expanded mandate; pledges continued effectiveness as agent of positive change Annual Report 2015-2016

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today released the first annual report of his office’s new, expanded mandate, which was doubled in the past year to include more than 1,000 public sector organizations –...
October 27, 2016

Police oversight reform long overdue: Ombudsman

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today released his submission to the province’s Independent Police Oversight Review, calling for new legislation to make police oversight bodies more effective, accountable...
September 26, 2016

Ombudsman to investigate Toronto school busing issues

Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced his office will conduct a systemic investigation into recent school busing problems at the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board.
September 9, 2016

Ombudsman to assess Toronto school busing issues

After hearing about problems with busing of students in the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board, Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé has directed staff to assess the...
September 6, 2016

Ontario Ombudsman marks one year of school board oversight

As the new school year begins, the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman is marking one year of oversight of school boards, after receiving 701 complaints and inquiries in the first year of its new mandate.
August 24, 2016

Ombudsman calls for systemic overhaul to help adults with developmental disabilities in crisis

Province accepts 60 recommendations to fix chronic service gaps.
June 29, 2016

Ombudsman urges province to ensure police are trained in de-escalation

Leadership long overdue in teaching alternatives to lethal force.
May 25, 2016

Ombudsman to investigate Brampton procurement practices

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced an investigation into the city of Brampton’s procurement practices, focusing on the administration of its purchasing by-laws, policies and procedures...
May 19, 2016

Reports on two Ombudsman investigations in final stages

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé confirmed today that he expects to release reports on two of his office’s in-depth systemic investigations in June and July, once required processes are complete.
May 10, 2016

Abolish indefinite segregation: Ombudsman

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today urged the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to abolish the practice of placing inmates indefinitely in segregation and develop alternatives to...
April 1, 2016

New Ontario Ombudsman takes office

New Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé took his oath of office today, beginning a five-year term as the province’s independent, impartial watchdog. Mr. Dubé is the province’s seventh Ombudsman since the...
February 17, 2016

New Ontario Ombudsman to start April 1: Mr. Paul Dubé

Mr. J. Paul Dubé of Ottawa has been appointed as Ontario’s seventh Ombudsman for a five-year term, to begin April 1, 2016. His appointment by an all-party committee of the Legislative Assembly was...
December 31, 2015

The Ontario Ombudsman’s Top 10 Things to Know for 2016

A year-end Top 10 list is an annual tradition here at the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman. As we wrap up our milestone 40th year and welcome an historic expansion of our mandate on January 1, Acting...