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ATTENTION – OFFICE CLOSED – MONDAY, OCTOBER 13: The Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario will be closed on Monday, October 13. Our phone lines will also be closed. Our services will resume on Tuesday, October 14 at 9 a.m. Complaints can still be filed using our online complaint form or via email at info@ombudsman.on.ca.

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 354

City of London - October 10, 2025

The Ombudsman found that an email sent by the Mayor of London to all of council on January 23, 2025, which included a specific request to members of the Community and Protective Services Committee, did not contravene the open meeting rules in the Municipal Act, 2001 . The Ombudsman found that the …
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The Ombudsman found that an email sent by the Mayor of London to all of council on January 23, 2025, which included a specific request to members of the Community and Protective Services Committee, did not contravene the open meeting rules in the Municipal Act, 2001.
/en/our-work/municipal-meetings/city-london-october-10-2025

City of Sarnia - October 9, 2025

The Ombudsman found that council for the City of Sarnia did not contravene the open meeting rules in the Municipal Act, 2001 on March 31 and May 26, 2025 when it held closed meetings to receive information regarding an ongoing zoning compliance matter. The Ombudsman was satisfied that council’s …
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The Ombudsman found that council for the City of Sarnia did not contravene the open meeting rules in the Municipal Act, 2001 on March 31 and May 26, 2025 when it held closed meetings to receive information regarding an ongoing zoning compliance matter.
/en/our-work/municipal-meetings/city-sarnia-october-9-2025

City of Mississauga - July 25, 2025

The Ombudsman found that the General Committee for the council of the City of Mississauga did not contravene the Municipal Act, 2001 on October 23, 2024 when it held a closed meeting to receive a verbal update on proposed bike lane legislation. The Ombudsman was satisfied that the General …
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The Ombudsman found that the General Committee for the council of the City of Mississauga did not contravene the Municipal Act, 2001 on October 23, 2024 when it held a closed meeting to receive a verbal update on proposed bike lane legislation.
/en/our-work/municipal-meetings/city-mississauga-july-25-2025

Township of Frontenac Islands - July 8, 2025

Ombudsman Report Investigation into emails exchanged by council for the Township of Frontenac Islands on August 15 and August 16, 2024 Paul Dubé Ombudsman of Ontario July 2025 Complaint 1 My Office received a complaint alleging council for the Township of Frontenac Islands (the “Township”) …
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The Ombudsman received a complaint alleging that council for the Township of Frontenac Islands held an illegal meeting over email in August 2024 to discuss a delegation letter requesting a meeting with the Minister of Health at an upcoming municipal conference. The Ombudsman’s investigation found that the discussion over email contravened the open meeting rules, because a quorum of council participated in the email discussions, and the discussions materially advanced council business or decision-making.
/en/our-work/municipal-meetings/township-frontenac-islands-july-8-2025

Parting words

A Francophone man was let go from his position as a volunteer firefighter with a municipality. He complained to us that the municipality sent him a letter explaining his termination in English only. He asked if we could help him connect with someone who could send it in French, given that his …
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A Francophone man was let go from his position as a volunteer firefighter with a municipality.
/en/our-work/case-stories/parting-words

One for the price of two

A man sought our help in getting money back from his municipality for a nonexistent water line. He told us that when he bought the property, he was told there were two water lines, and he would be billed for both. He said municipal staff assured him the second line was there, even though it was not …
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A man sought our help in getting money back from his municipality for a nonexistent water line.
/en/our-work/case-stories/one-price-two

Sudden shutoff

A woman who was in hospital sought our help after water service was cut off to her home, where her son, who has autism and medical needs, was receiving at-home care in her absence. She told us she had a payment plan with the water service provider and had paid her bills. She was worried for her …
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A woman who was in hospital sought our help after water service was cut off to her home, where her son, who has autism and medical needs, was receiving at-home care in her absence.
/en/our-work/case-stories/sudden-shutoff

Saved, not sold

A man called us in distress, saying he would become homeless if he could not immediately pay nearly $25,000 in property tax arrears and fees. He said he had just learned that his municipality had seized his properties for unpaid taxes and put them up for auction. The properties would go to the …
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A man called us in distress, saying he would become homeless if he could not immediately pay nearly $25,000 in property tax arrears and fees.
/en/our-work/case-stories/saved-not-sold

When a tree falls…

A man told us he was camping at a provincial park when a crew that was cutting trees damaged several trailers, including his. He said he wrote to the park superintendent to ask them to pay for the damage, but got no response. Result: We reached out to staff at Ontario Parks, which is part of the …
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A man told us he was camping at a provincial park when a crew that was cutting trees damaged several trailers, including his.
/en/our-work/case-stories/when-tree-falls

Keeping the lights on

A mother contacted us in a panic when she received notice that her electricity would be disconnected the next day. She told us this would seriously impact her ability to care for her daughter, who has special needs that require her to have lights on through the night. Result: We stepped in quickly …
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A mother contacted us in a panic when she received notice that her electricity would be disconnected the next day.
/en/our-work/case-stories/keeping-lights

Slow build

A man who had purchased a plot of undeveloped land came to us after waiting almost two years for a development permit from the Niagara Escarpment Commission. The Commission’s role is to safeguard the area’s environmental features, and it specifically considers the impact of development on the …
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A man who had purchased a plot of undeveloped land came to us after waiting almost two years for a development permit from the Niagara Escarpment Commission.
/en/our-work/case-stories/slow-build

Peace of mine

A resident was concerned about a municipality that was using aggregate (mining waste) from an abandoned mine as part of an infrastructure project and asked us to look into their concerns about this material. They wanted information about the potential environmental harm posed by the use of mining …
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A resident was concerned about a municipality that was using aggregate (mining waste) from an abandoned mine as part of an infrastructure project and asked us to look into their concerns about this material.
/en/our-work/case-stories/peace-mine

City of Kitchener - June 20, 2025

Ombudsman Report Investigation into a complaint about a meeting of council for the City of Kitchener on August 14, 2023 Paul Dubé Ombudsman of Ontario June 2025 Complaint 1 My Office received a complaint about a special meeting of council for the City of Kitchener (the “City”) held on August 14, …
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The Ombudsman investigated a closed meeting held by council for the City of Kitchener on August 14, 2023 to discuss the implementation of a centralized model for operations related to certain arts and entertainment facilities. The Ombudsman found that parts of council’s discussion fit within the exceptions for information supplied in confidence by a third party at section 239(2)(i) of the Municipal Act, 2001; labour relations and employee negotiations at section 239(2)(d) of the Act; and plans and instructions for negotiations at section 239(2)(k) of the Act. As the discussion could not have realistically been parsed, the Ombudsman found that council’s entire discussion fit within those exceptions.
/en/our-work/municipal-meetings/city-kitchener-june-20-2025

Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation)

The Ombudsman and staff met with community members and leaders. During this visit, the Ombudsman was told there had been a delay in Hydro One installing the poles to bring electricity to these homes, and there appeared to be a communication breakdown between the community and Hydro One.  RESULT: …
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The Ombudsman and staff met with community members and leaders. During this visit, the Ombudsman was told there had been a delay in Hydro One installing the poles to bring electricity to these homes, and there appeared to be a communication breakdown between the community and Hydro One. 

RESULT: The Ombudsman reached out to Hydro One’s Ombudsman, and by working together, they were able to communicate the urgency of the situation to the corporation. The hydro line was installed within the month.

/en/our-work/case-stories/asubpeeschoseewagong-netum-anishinabek-grassy-narrows-first-nation

Township of Russell - March 21, 2025

The Ombudsman received complaints alleging that council for the Township of Russell may have held an illegal meeting before a regular council meeting on April 29, 2024 to discuss how to fill the vacant mayor’s seat. The Ombudsman’s investigation found that council members held one-on-one …
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The Ombudsman received complaints alleging that council for the Township of Russell may have held an illegal meeting before a regular council meeting on April 29, 2024 to discuss how to fill the vacant mayor's seat.
/en/our-work/municipal-meetings/township-russell-march-21-2025

Submission regarding proposed changes to the municipal code of conduct and integrity commissioner framework

Submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding proposed changes to the municipal code of conduct and integrity commissioner framework Paul Dubé Ombudsman of Ontario February 2025 Overview The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is seeking feedback on proposed changes to …
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The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the municipal code of conduct and integrity commissioner framework for Ontario municipalities, in connection with legislative amendments that were proposed in Bill 241, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2024.
/en/our-work/submissions-government/submission-regarding-proposed-changes-municipal-code-conduct-and-integrity-commissioner-framework

Township of Russell - March 6, 2025

Ombudsman Report Investigation into complaints about meetings held by council for the Township of Russell in 2023 and 2024 Paul Dubé Ombudsman of Ontario March 2025 Overview 1 My Office received complaints about closed meetings held by council for the Township of Russell (“the Township”) on …
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The Ombudsman reviewed complaints about several meetings held by council for the Township of Russell in 2023 and 2024. The Ombudsman found that in camera discussions about a costing update for a new recreation complex fit the open meeting exception for plans and instructions for negotiations, since the discussions revealed how much the Township was willing to spend on the project.
/en/our-work/municipal-meetings/township-russell-march-6-2025

Inside Job

O N TA R I O O N TA R I O ’ S WAT C H D O G Inside Job Investigation into matters relating to the Regional Municipality of Niagara’s hiring of its Chief Administrative Officer, and its administration of his contract OMBUDSMAN REPORT Paul Dubé, Ombudsman of Ontario November 2019 O N TA R I O O N TA …
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Investigation into matters relating to the Regional Municipality of Niagara’s hiring of its Chief Administrative Officer, and its administration of his contract
/en/our-work/investigations/inside-job

By-law Surprise

O N TA R I O ’ S WAT C H D O G By-law Surprise Investigation into the reasonableness and transparency of by-law enforcement and billing practices in the Township of St. Clair and the County of Lambton Ombudsman Report Paul Dubé, Ombudsman of Ontario April 2018 1-800-263-1830 www.ombudsman.on.ca …
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Investigation into the reasonableness and transparency of by-law enforcement and billing practices in the Township of St. Clair and the County of Lambton.
/en/our-work/investigations/law-surprise

Township of Wollaston - February 10, 2025

The Ombudsman investigated a complaint alleging that the Township of Wollaston’s Communication Team is a committee of council, and that any meetings it may have held since its inception should have been subject to the open meeting requirements in the Municipal Act, 2001 . The Ombudsman found that …
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The Ombudsman investigated a complaint alleging that the Township of Wollaston’s Communication Team is a committee of council, and that any meetings it may have held since its inception should have been subject to the open meeting requirements in the Municipal Act, 2001.
/en/our-work/municipal-meetings/township-wollaston-february-10-2025

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The Ontario Ombudsman’s work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across the province we now call Ontario, and we are thankful to be able to work and live on this land. 

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info@ombudsman.on.ca

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