Search by

Media releases Speeches and articles Newsletter

You can contact us here with a media request.

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...
May 21, 2015

Ombudsman oversight coming soon to municipalities, universities and school boards

The public will be able to complain to the Ontario Ombudsman about school boards as of September 1, 2015, and about municipalities and universities as of January 1, 2016, now that the dates have been...
May 14, 2015

Statement from Ontario's Independent Legislative Officers

Ontario’s Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly are calling on the provincial government to reverse plans in the Budget Bill that they believe will significantly reduce important oversight...
March 11, 2015

Ombudsman receives 10,000+ complaints about Hydro One, urges utility to stop “cruel, deceitful” threats to customers

Investigation update: 4,075 cases resolved as systemic probe continues.
January 27, 2015

Brighter days ahead for municipal accountability: Ombudsman

After seven years of “patchwork” enforcement and widespread confusion about the rules requiring them to hold open meetings, there is good news for Ontario municipalities and the citizens seeking to...
October 22, 2014

Ontario Ombudsman finds children at risk in poorly monitored unlicensed daycares

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today called on the province to take urgent action to protect children in unlicensed daycares, after his latest investigation revealed systemic government ineptitude that...
April 30, 2014

Improve monitoring of potentially unsafe drivers: Ombudsman. Province agrees to 19 recommendations to deal with medical conditions

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today urged the province to ensure safer roads by fixing numerous flaws in its systems for monitoring drivers with potentially dangerous medical conditions.
November 5, 2013

Ombudsman appoints former police chiefs as advisors to de-escalation investigation

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today announced he has appointed two prominent former police chiefs as special advisors to his ongoing investigation into the direction provided by the province to police...
June 20, 2013

Ontario correctional officers should see report as a chance to improve working conditions: Ombudsman

In his latest report, released on June 11, Ontario Ombudsman André Marin revealed systemic problems with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services’ treatment of the use of excessive...
June 11, 2013

Ontario must crack “code of silence” among correctional officers involved in use of excessive force: Ombudsman

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today called on the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to crack the pervasive “code of silence” under which some guards in the province’s correctional...
October 24, 2012

Ontario and OPP failing to support police officers affected by operational stress injuries: Ombudsman

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today called on the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to take concrete action to support police officers...
December 14, 2011

Government failing to support police watchdog: Ombudsman

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today renewed his call for effective legislation to support the province’s police watchdog, after his latest investigation found the responsible ministry has actively...
June 10, 2011

Ombudsman welcomes regulation of non-emergency medical transfers

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today thanked the Ministries of Transportation and Health and Long-Term Care for acting on his recommendations and committing to regulate the industry that handles non...