Media releases

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

Ombudsman begins taking complaints about Ontario municipalities and universities on New Year’s Day

Beginning tomorrow – January 1, 2016 – the Ontario Ombudsman is officially able to take complaints about the province’s 444 municipalities and 21 publicly funded universities. This historic expansion...
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...
December 16, 2015

Ombudsman reports progress in municipal transparency, encourages local accountability officers

A new era of local government accountability begins January 1 when the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman takes on full oversight of municipalities, Acting Ombudsman Barbara Finlay said today in...
December 4, 2015

Ombudsman closes last Hydro One case – oversight ends today

The Office of the Ontario Ombudsman has closed its last Hydro One case, as the utility no longer comes under the watchdog’s scrutiny, Acting Ombudsman Barbara Finlay announced today.
October 30, 2015

Ombudsman’s office marks 40 years of helping citizens, improving governance

Milestone coincides with historic expansion of mandate - The Office of the Ontario Ombudsman today celebrates 40 years of helping citizens resolve issues with the provincial government. The occasion...
September 24, 2015

Ombudsman’s office releases submission on carding

The Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario today publicly released its submission to the government on the subject of police street checks. The submission was made in August as part of the Ministry of...
September 16, 2015

Acting Ombudsman of Ontario named

Barbara Finlay has been named acting Ombudsman of Ontario, pending the Legislative Assembly’s selection process to fill the position permanently. Ms. Finlay has served with the Ontario Ombudsman’s...
September 8, 2015

Ombudsman receives 50 complaints about school boards in first week of mandate; increase expected as classes begin

One week after new legislation enabling the Ontario Ombudsman to take complaints about school boards took effect, 50 people have complained about a diverse range of issues – a number expected to grow...
August 31, 2015

Ombudsman begins taking complaints about school boards September 1

Beginning tomorrow, September 1, the Ontario Ombudsman is officially able to take complaints about the province’s 82 school boards. The historic new expansion of the Ombudsman’s mandate was granted...
July 28, 2015

Ombudsman marks decade of progress in 2014-2015 Annual Report

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today released his tenth annual report, marking the end of an historic year – and decade – that saw the largest investigation in the history of the office, the enactment...
June 5, 2015

Information for new Hydro One complainants

As of June 4, 2015, the Ombudsman no longer has oversight of Hydro One. This oversight was removed in the passage of the Building Ontario Up Act (Budget Measures) 2015. If you have a new complaint...
June 4, 2015

Ombudsman no longer able to take Hydro One complaints

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today reminded customers of Hydro One that his office is no longer able to take complaints about the utility, now that royal assent has been given to Bill 91, the...
May 25, 2015

Ombudsman urges corporate culture overhaul, ongoing oversight of Hydro One

Egregious billing, customer service problems; Utility “lost sight of its public interest purpose”. Ombudsman André Marin today called on Hydro One to overhaul its corporate culture to focus on...