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Ombudsman News, Press Releases and Newsletters

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November 29, 2024

29 November 2024

Media advisory: French Language Services Commissioner to release Annual Report on Dec 5

Carl Bouchard, French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario, will publicly release his 2023-2024 Annual Report on Thursday, December 5 at 9:30 a.m., after it is tabled electronically with the Legislative Assembly.

September 5, 2024

5 September 2024

Ombudsman to investigate child welfare practice of placing children and youth in hotels, motels, offices and trailers

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced an investigation into the practice of child welfare agencies placing young children and teens in hotels, motels, offices and trailers.

July 24, 2024

24 July 2024

Ontario government urged to make public health ads bilingual after investigation reveals shortfalls (Law Times)

Investigation shows systematic failures to meet obligations under the French Language Services Act

July 12, 2024

12 July 2024

FLS Commissioner urges Ontario to respect law; make all out-of-home advertising bilingual

French Language Services Commissioner urges Ontario to respect law; make all out-of-home advertising bilingual

Carl Bouchard: French was systematically missing from the government’s health-related out-of-home advertising during COVID-19 pandemic

July 12, 2024

12 July 2024

French language services commissioner calls on government to ensure ads in public spaces are bilingual (The Trillium)

This follows an investigation launched last year that focused on 17 health-related government ad campaigns, which found just three had French out-of-home ads

June 27, 2024

27 June 2024

Investments needed to address 'threadbare' supports for Ontarians with complex needs: ombudsman (The Trillium)

Paul Dubé's 2023-24 annual report highlighted concerns in a number of other areas including correctional facilities, which saw the highest number of complaints.

June 26, 2024

26 June 2024

‘Poor living conditions’ in Ontario’s overcrowded jails top complaints to ombudsman (The Star)

Concerns about “poor living conditions” in Ontario’s overcrowded jails — including rodents — topped complaints to the provincial ombudsman last year.

June 26, 2024

26 June 2024

Jails top Ontario’s ombudsman complaint list (CHCH)

According to Ontario ombudsman Paul Dubé’s latest annual report released on Wednesday, correctional facilities are the province’s top source of complaints and inquiries.

June 26, 2024

26 June 2024

Ombudsman handles near-record number of cases, focuses on rights

Annual Report 2023-2024: Significant achievements for children in care, Francophones, students, inmates – and in local transparency

April 30, 2024

30 April 2024

York children’s aid failed teen by denying foster care before her death: Ombudsman report (The Star)

When the teen requested foster placement from York Region CAS, staff denied her, saying she had two options: “a shelter bed or living on the street.”

April 30, 2024

30 April 2024

York teen 'failed' by Children's Aid, says report into her death (CBC)

York Region Children's Aid Society says many changes already in place to prevent future incidents

April 29, 2024

29 April 2024

York Children's Aid Society failed to provide support to teen before her death: Ombudsman (The Trillium)

Ombudsman Paul Dubé issued several recommendations to the York Region Children Aid's Society in a new report released on Monday.

April 29, 2024

29 April 2024

Teen's pleas to York Region CAS for foster care went unheard: Ombudsman (Newmarket Today)

While York Region CAS had no fault in the death of 16-year-old 'Mia' in 2020, the Ontario Ombudsman found the agency was 'unreasonable and wrong' in its handling of her case; his 20 recommendations have been accepted

April 29, 2024

29 April 2024

York Region CAS Media Release: Ontario Ombudsman’s Report (York CAS)

Following an investigation conducted by the Ontario Ombudsman’s Office regarding a youth served in 2019, York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS) has accepted all the recommendations outlined in the report.

April 29, 2024

29 April 2024

Teen’s pleas for foster care went unheard, Ombudsman finds

York CAS accepts recommendations to improve use of Voluntary Youth Services Agreements; Province to work with agencies to improve knowledge

December 11, 2023

11 December 2023

Ombudsman to investigate direct education payment programs

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced a new systemic investigation into the Ministry of Education’s direct payment programs for parents and students, due to concerns about a lack of fairness and transparency.

December 7, 2023

7 December 2023

French language services commissioner receives highest level of complaints and inquiries since 2019 (The Trillium)

The commissioner released his annual report on Thursday

December 7, 2023

7 December 2023

French Language Services Commissioner reports robust results for Francophones and 40% increase in cases

Carl Bouchard’s first report calls on government to improve staff training and ensure bilingual social media accounts

December 4, 2023

4 December 2023

Ombudsman appoints Carl Bouchard as French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario

After an extensive nationwide search to fill the position of French Language Services Commissioner on a permanent basis, Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced that he has appointed Carl Bouchard to the role.

October 23, 2023

23 October 2023

An interview with Diana Cooke, Director, Children and Youth Unit, Ontario Ombudsman (OBA)

I have had the pleasure of working with Diana Cooke for several years. Diana is the Director of Children and Youth at Ombudsman Ontario. Previously, she worked at the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth as the Director of Advocacy and later as the Director of Investigations. Diana’s experience includes working with young people involved in the youth court, child welfare, and emergency shelter systems. She holds both a Master of Social Work and a Master of Laws degree.

October 12, 2023

12 October 2023

Statement from Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé for Ombuds Day, October 12

Today is Ombuds Day, an annual, internationally observed opportunity to educate and raise awareness among the public about Ombudsman offices like ours – the roles we play, the services we offer, and most importantly, the value we provide.

October 5, 2023

5 October 2023

Correctional facilities continue to bring in the most complaints and inquiries to provincial ombudsman: report (The Trillium)

Ombudsman Paul Dubé released his 2022-23 annual report on Thursday.

October 5, 2023

5 October 2023

Ombudsman underlines value of independent oversight

Annual Report 2022-2023: Promoting rights and fairness for vulnerable youth, long-term care residents, inmates, landlords and tenants, Francophones and more

September 29, 2023

29 September 2023

Ombudsman's message for National Day of Truth and reconciliation, September 30, 2023

It is essential that as a province, and as a nation, we continue to recognize the tragic effects of residential schools on the Indigenous children who attended those schools, and on the survivors who continue to live with those experiences.

September 25, 2023

25 September 2023

Message from Interim Commissioner for Franco-Ontarian Day

On this Franco-Ontarian Day, I would like to take a moment to celebrate the major milestones that Francophones have seen so far in 2023.

September 7, 2023

7 September 2023

Long-term care inspections system was overwhelmed by first wave of COVID-19, ombudsman finds (Toronto Star)

Ontario’s long-term care inspections branch was overwhelmed and “unprepared” during the first wave of COVID-19 says a new report from the province’s ombudsman, who has made 76 recommendations to improve the system.

September 7, 2023

7 September 2023

Living conditions ‘like hell’: Ontario Ombudsman reports on pandemic LTC inspection failures (The Trillium)

The inspection system ‘collapsed’ and instead of action, concerned loved ones were given ‘key messages,’ the watchdog finds

September 7, 2023

7 September 2023

Ontario ombudsman urges stronger enforcement of LTC rules (Global News)

Ontario’s Ministry of Long-Term Care needs to ensure in-person inspections of nursing homes can take place in a future pandemic and that inspectors can immediately act when residents are at risk of ongoing serious harm, the province’s ombudsman said Thursday.

September 7, 2023

7 September 2023

Ontario's LTC inspection system fell apart during 1st COVID-19 wave: report (CBC)

Province conducted no long-term care home inspections in spring of 2020

September 7, 2023

7 September 2023

Ontario government oversight of long-term care homes 'largely collapsed' during pandemic, ombudsman finds (CTV News)

The Ministry of Long-Term Care’s oversight mechanisms “largely collapsed” when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, with on-site inspections of long-term care homes grinding to a halt for nearly two months during the first wave of the pandemic, according to an investigation by Ontario’s ombudsman.

September 7, 2023

7 September 2023

Long-term care inspection system collapsed during deadly first weeks of COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario Ombudsman finds

Ministry of Long-Term Care accepts all recommendations to improve preparedness for next crisis

July 6, 2023

6 July 2023

French Language Services Commissioner to investigate unilingual government out-of-home advertising

Apparent absence of French in billboards and electronic panels raises concerns

June 7, 2023

7 June 2023

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé welcomes colleagues from across Canada for annual fairness talks

This week, Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé welcomed ombudsman colleagues from Canadian provinces and territories for the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO), held at his office in downtown Toronto.

May 4, 2023

4 May 2023

Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board 'fundamentally failing,' ombudsman finds (CBC)

Backlog of cases at the LTB now more than 38,000

May 4, 2023

4 May 2023

Ombudsman calls for legislative change, overhaul of “moribund” Landlord and Tenant Board

Paul Dubé: Severe backlogs and delays denied justice to landlords and tenants alike

May 4, 2023

4 May 2023

Ombudsman calls for change at failing LTB (Canadian Apartment)

Ombudsman Paul Dubé paints a grim picture of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) in his latest investigation report, released May 4th. Long plagued by severe backlogs, staff shortages, and antiquated technology, LTB operations have only gotten worse thanks to the added pressures of COVID-19 lockdowns, remote work, eviction moratoriums and virtual hearings.

May 4, 2023

4 May 2023

‘Excruciating delays’ at Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board: Ombudsman report (Global News)

A backlog of cases at Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board has grown to 38,000 and it is taking an average of seven or eight months — sometimes up to two years — for a hearing to be scheduled, the province’s ombudsman said Thursday.

April 13, 2023

13 April 2023

Ontario ombudsman slams foster care company, child welfare agencies for failing Indigenous girl (Global News)

When a 13-year-old Indigenous girl repeatedly went missing from foster care in southwestern Ontario, the company looking after her kept assuring police it had no safety concerns.

April 13, 2023

13 April 2023

Urgent Action Needed: Child Welfare Organizations Must Implement Changes to Protect Vulnerable Indigenous Children (NetNewsLedger)

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé has released a report titled “Missing In Inaction, Misty’s Story”, which details how multiple child welfare organizations failed to ensure the safety of an Indigenous girl named Misty, who repeatedly went missing while receiving supervised services from a foster care agency.

April 13, 2023

13 April 2023

Child-welfare agencies failed Indigenous girl from North: Ombudsman (Sudbury Star)

Actions not taken when young teen went missing from foster care, report finds

April 13, 2023

13 April 2023

Child welfare agencies failed to protect vulnerable Indigenous child: Ombudsman (APTN National News)

Misty went missing seven times while living under the care of Johnson Children’s Services in an undisclosed city.

April 13, 2023

13 April 2023

Child welfare agencies failed to ensure safety of Indigenous girl at risk of human trafficking, Ombudsman finds

Three agencies in northern and southern Ontario accept all 58 recommendations

March 27, 2023

27 March 2023

Ombudsman to investigate cases of people with developmental disabilities who are inappropriately housed in hospitals

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced a new investigation into the plight of adults with developmental disabilities who are inappropriately housed in hospital due to a lack of supports and services in the community.

March 8, 2023

8 March 2023

Statement from Carl Bouchard, Interim French Language Services Commissioner

March is a month of great importance for Francophones in Ontario, in Canada and in the world. We celebrate the Francophonie around the world, its dynamism, its diversity, its richness and its promising future.

March 8, 2023

8 March 2023

Statement from Ombudsman Paul Dubé re Interim Commissioner

I want to express my thanks to Carl Bouchard for accepting the role of Interim French Language Services Commissioner.

March 3, 2023

3 March 2023

Ombudsman announces search for new French Language Services Commissioner

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced he is launching a search for a new French Language Services Commissioner.

December 20, 2022

20 December 2022

'A situation of chronic neglect:' Ombudsman releases scathing report after boy found malnourished and living in squalor (CP24)

A 10-year-old boy was found malnourished and living in squalor in October 2018 but the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto refused to take him into their custody, prompting “horrified” police officers to step in.

December 20, 2022

20 December 2022

Ombudsman rebukes Toronto children’s aid in first child protection investigation (Law Times)

Toronto children's aid 'repeatedly failed to comply with child protection standards'

December 19, 2022

19 December 2022

Children’s Aid Society of Toronto repeatedly failed to comply with child protection standards and act in child’s best interests: Ombudsman

All recommendations accepted after investigation finds boy’s voice was “unheard and unheeded” for years

December 7, 2022

7 December 2022

French Language Services Commissioner reports “important advancements” in 2021-2022

Kelly Burke: More than 1,000 cases resolved since May 2019 –  “I am proud of the work we have accomplished”

September 13, 2022

13 September 2022

Ombudsman closes file on contentious 2016 chief administrative officer hiring (Standard Reporter)

Niagara Region implemented all 16 recommendations from J. Paul Dubé’s report

August 15, 2022

15 August 2022

Teaching police how to handle people in crisis (The Star)

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé has renewed his call for standardized and mandatory training for police officers in deescalation for dealing with people in crisis.

August 10, 2022

10 August 2022

Correctional facilities remains top source of complaints to Ontario Ombudsman (QP Briefing)

Inmates in Ontario jails were only allowed to leave their cells for 30 minutes a day during lockdowns, according to Ontario’s annual Ombudsman report.

August 10, 2022

10 August 2022

Ombudsman calls out Ontario for 'painfully slow' progress on police de-escalation training (CBC News)

Paul Dubé says he’s considering second investigation if he doesn’t see progress.

August 10, 2022

10 August 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

May 4, 2022

4 May 2022

Ombudsman finds 'deficiencies' in closures of youth jail programs in Northern Ontario (Law Times)

Ontario 'deliberately avoided transparency' in planning and implementing closures: Ombudsman report

April 27, 2022

27 April 2022

Ombudsman report details failures by province in handling closure of youth detention facilities (TBnewswatch.com)

The Ontario Ombudsman released a report that includes 16 recommendations after finding the provincial government’s plan and implementation to close two Northern Ontario youth custody and detention programs lacked transparency, communication, and consultation with Indigenous groups and communities

April 26, 2022

26 April 2022

Ontario’s ‘secrecy’ when closing youth jails hurt Indigenous teens, ombud finds (The Star)

Provincial government officials “deliberately avoided transparency” when they abruptly closed two youth jails in northern Ontario last year, leaving staff in the dark while failing to consider the best interests of the Indigenous youth who had to be suddenly transferred, Ontario’s Ombudsman concluded on Tuesday.

April 26, 2022

26 April 2022

Ontario ombudsman's report details flawed closures of youth justice programs in northwest (CBC)

The government was wrong and unreasonable in how it closed custody and detention programs at youth justice facilities in Ontario's northwest region last year, the provincial ombudsman has concluded.

April 26, 2022

26 April 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

31 March 2022

Laurentian University violated French Language Services Act when it cut programs: report (CBC)

The Sudbury university eliminated 29 French-language programs in April 2021

March 31, 2022

31 March 2022

Laurentian program cuts violated French Language Services Act, commissioner finds (Sudbury.com)

Commissioner Kelly Burke found Laurentian University, Ministry of Francophone Affairs and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities failed to meet their obligations under the legislation

March 31, 2022

31 March 2022

Laurentian neglected obligations under French Language Services Act, says language commissioner (CTV)

A new report says Laurentian University, the Ministry of Francophone Affairs and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities neglected their obligations under the law when French language programs were cut.

March 31, 2022

31 March 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

January 10, 2022

10 January 2022

Ontario Ombudsman's French Language Services Unit develops tool to assess French-language services (Law Times)

Fairness, logistics, services, and communication are tool standards

December 7, 2021

7 December 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

December 7, 2021

7 December 2021

Language commissioner proposes tool to assess availability, quality of French services (QP Briefing)

Ontario French Language Services Commissioner Kelly Burke said her office received 351 complaints related to accessing French language services, a 15 per cent increase from the previous year.

September 29, 2021

29 September 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 attend residential schools – and the many who never returned home.

September 25, 2021

25 September 2021

Statement from the Commissioner on Franco-Ontarian Day 2021

Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, we have all been called upon to play an important role in protecting our individual and collective health.

June 29, 2021

29 June 2021

Ontario ombudsman highlights lack of oversight of public health units (CP24)

Local public health units, which have been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, lack independent oversight, Ontario's ombudsman said Tuesday, calling on the province address the issue as soon as possible.

June 28, 2021

28 June 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”

June 16, 2021

16 June 2021

French Language Services Commissioner to investigate cuts at Laurentian University

First formal investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman under the French Language Services Act

May 26, 2021

26 May 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

20 May 2021

Ontario ombudsman calls for overhaul of ‘wholly inadequate’ paramedic services oversight system (Global News)

Ontario’s ombudsman is calling on the provincial government to revamp the oversight system for paramedic services, saying it’s “complicated, overburdened, and wholly inadequate.”

May 20, 2021

20 May 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, overburdened, and wholly inadequate.

April 12, 2021

12 April 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 law in Ontario.

March 16, 2021

16 March 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 Bay.

December 10, 2020

10 December 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)"

December 10, 2020

10 December 2020

French language services commissioner said ‘adequate planning’ would have resolved most complaints (QP Briefing)

French Language Services Commissioner Kelly Burke said most of the complaints her office has received about access to services and materials in French could have been avoided with "adequate planning."

October 6, 2020

6 October 2020

Ontario ombudsman blasts ‘outdated’ police training tool that emphasizes weapons over de-escalation, despite repeated calls for change (The Star)

More than four years after a scathing report cited “neglected” provincial officer training as a factor in fatal shootings, the Ontario ombudsman is blasting the “glacial” pace of police reform as the province has still not fixed central problems he identified.

September 10, 2020

10 September 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.

July 28, 2020

28 July 2020

Ombudsman’s office deals with 3,014 complaints (North Bay Nugget)

North Bay, West Nipissing tied at 13

The Ontario Ombudsman’s Office received more than a dozen complaints each involving the City of North Bay and Municipality of West Nipissing last year.

July 2, 2020

2 July 2020

Ontario ombudsman report highlights ‘appalling’ jail conditions, COVID-19 complaints (The Lawyers Daily)

Hailing the past 12 months as a “year like no other,” the Ontario ombudsman has released a fiscal 2019-20 report that highlights, among other things, his office’s handling of more than 800 COVID-19-related complaints and inquiries, about 600 Landlord and Tenant Board complaints and a record number of complaints about Ontario correctional facilities — more than 6,000.

June 30, 2020

30 June 2020

Ontario’s ombudsman received more than 800 complaints due to COVID-19 (The Star)

Ontario ombudsman Paul Dubé says his investigation into the high death toll from COVID-19 at nursing homes is looking at how more inspections and higher standards could have saved lives.

June 30, 2020

30 June 2020

Ontario ombudsman receives record number of complaints about provincial jails (The Canadian Press)

Report details problems with overcrowding, poor living conditions, lack of access to medical care

June 30, 2020

30 June 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

1 June 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 pandemic.

May 13, 2020

13 May 2020

Near North board ‘well on way’ to addressing ombudsman report (North Bay Nugget)

The Near North District School Board “is well on the way” to meeting all the recommendations contained in an ombudsman’s report.
 

May 1, 2020

1 May 2020

Ombudsman marks one year of oversight of French language services and children and youth in care

Hundreds of cases provide “unique opportunity” to promote rights.

April 9, 2020

9 April 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 coronavirus.

April 9, 2020

9 April 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 continue to work from home during the provincial state of emergency and remain available to assist the people of Ontario.

March 26, 2020

26 March 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

23 March 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” as frontline health care workers and public sector leaders work to contain the outbreak and ensure that tests and treatment are available for those who need them.

March 23, 2020

23 March 2020

Statement by the French Language Services Commissioner: On the 50th International Francophonie Day and current issues

On March 20, 2020, we marked the 50th International Francophonie Day. Did you know that French is the fifth most spoken language in the world? According to the International Organization of La Francophonie, which brings together 88 states and governments including Ontario, approximately 300 million people on five continents speak French.

March 13, 2020

13 March 2020

Statement by French Language Services Commissioner Kelly Burke on the coronavirus

Health is a priority sector. For francophones and francophiles, French language services are essential to remaining informed and obtaining the care they need in the language of their choice. It is important that our health care professionals have access to proper tools and trainings to offer French language services.

February 12, 2020

12 February 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 strengthening democracy and promoting fundamental rights.

January 23, 2020

23 January 2020

Statement by French Language Services Commissioner Kelly Burke re L’Université de l’Ontario français

Ontario French Language Services Commissioner Kelly Burke today made the following statement regarding news that the federal and Ontario governments have agreed to jointly fund a new French-language university in Ontario (L’Université de l’Ontario français).

January 15, 2020

15 January 2020

‘We want young people calling us directly’: head of the new children and youth unit in the Ontario ombudsman’s office (QP Briefing)

The message Ontario’s Ombudsman Paul Dubé and the head of his office’s new children and youth unit want to share with young people across the province is: if you have a question, call.

January 13, 2020

13 January 2020

Ombudsman appoints Kelly Burke as new French Language Services Commissioner

Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced that Ms. Kelly Burke has joined his office as Ontario’s new French Language Services Commissioner. Ms. Burke, an Assistant Deputy Minister and lawyer with several years’ experience in senior roles within the Ontario Public Service, including the Ministry of Francophone Affairs, begins work in her new position this morning.

January 9, 2020

9 January 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, 2019

30 December 2019

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.

November 29, 2019

29 November 2019

Ombudsman finds Niagara CAO hiring was "inside job"

Regional council accepts all recommendations for reform

October 31, 2019

31 October 2019

Ombudsman’s confidential report on Niagara CAO hiring to be viewed by council Nov. 14

Final report will be published after response is received, per Ombudsman Act.

October 4, 2019

4 October 2019

Hamilton committee’s out-of-town meetings to hire city manager did not violate law, Ombudsman finds

But open portion of first meeting was “illegally closed” to public.

August 15, 2019

15 August 2019

Ontario Ombudsman launches nationwide search for French Language Services Commissioner

Expert panel to assist in process; Ombudsman Dubé to act as commissioner in interim.

July 17, 2019

17 July 2019

School consolidation decision process should be redone, Ombudsman tells Near North school board

Investigation reveals meeting and details that were never made public.

June 26, 2019

26 June 2019

International language commissioners gather in Toronto: Ontario Ombudsman hosts conference on linguistic rights, June 26-27

Language commissioners, ombudsmen and language rights experts from around the world are gathered in downtown Toronto this morning for the sixth annual conference of the International Association of Language Commissioners (IALC). The conference coincides with the 50th anniversary of Canada’s Official Languages Act and the United Nations’ declaration of 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages.

June 25, 2019

25 June 2019

2018-2019 Annual Report: Ombudsman records one of “busiest years” in office’s history

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today reported on an historic year in which his office handled a 30% surge in complaints and saw its mandate expanded for the second time in four years.
 

May 9, 2019

9 May 2019

'We have the people to do it': Ontario ombudsman pledges 'care' in taking over child welfare probes (CBC News)

Paul Dube's office now has specialized unit to handle investigative functions of former child advocate

May 7, 2019

7 May 2019

Ombudsman’s new open meeting case digest (Municipal World)

Imagine you are an Ontario municipal councillor, perusing the agenda for your next meeting, and you see that a new report by the municipality’s integrity commissioner is scheduled to be discussed behind closed doors. You wonder, is that appropriate?

May 1, 2019

1 May 2019

Ombudsman can now take complaints about children’s aid societies and French language services

Cases and investigations to be handled by two new specialized units.

April 12, 2019

12 April 2019

Ombudsman prepares for expanded oversight of child protection and French language services

New organizational chart, new funding for new responsibilities.

April 5, 2019

5 April 2019

Ombudsman releases plan for new French language services unit

New oversight of French language services and child protection begins May 1.

March 15, 2019

15 March 2019

Ombudsman to host international language conference June 26-27

(TORONTO – March 15, 2019) – Join Ombudsman Paul Dubé, as well as ombudsmen, language commissioners and language rights experts from around the world at a conference in June discussing the protection and promotion of linguistic minorities.

February 28, 2019

28 February 2019

Statement by Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé on segregation of inmates and Adam Capay case

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today released the following statement in light of the release of Justice John Fregau’s decision to stay proceedings against Adam Capay, the 26-year-old man who spent more than four years in solitary confinement (segregation) awaiting trial in Thunder Bay and Kenora.

February 21, 2019

21 February 2019

Ombudsman releases first plans for new child and youth mandate

New units will handle oversight of child protection and French language services.

February 1, 2019

1 February 2019

Politicians cannot do the work of independent officers of the Legislature (QP Briefing)

A recent column by Deb Hutton, published by Queen’s Park Briefing on January 18, raised provocative questions about the role and usefulness of independent officers of the Legislature.

January 25, 2019

25 January 2019

Ombudsman releases new tools to promote municipal transparency

Open meeting guide and digital case digest reflect decade of reports

December 31, 2018

31 December 2018

New mandate, new challenges: Ombudsman reflects on 2018 and year ahead

In his year-end message, reviewing his office’s work in 2018, Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé notes that historic changes will make the next year even more remarkable.
 

December 6, 2018

6 December 2018

Ontario Ombudsman’s mandate expanded

New legislation transfers jurisdiction over child protection system and French language services.

November 7, 2018

7 November 2018

Ontario ombudsman offers masterclass in public impact: ‘Our power is in our voice’ (The Mandarin)

Successful legal advocates must not only bring together evidence to successfully make their case, they must also craft a clear argument around a compelling narrative, and the same goes for an ombudsman or public advocate.

October 31, 2018

31 October 2018

Ombudsman reviewing more than 1,000 complaints about Ontario Cannabis Store

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today confirmed that his office has received more than 1,000 complaints about the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) since it opened October 17. Most are from customers frustrated with delayed deliveries, billing problems and poor customer service.

October 30, 2018

30 October 2018

Cannabis delivery complaints under review by Office of the Ontario Ombudsman (CTV News)

The Office of the Ontario Ombudsman says it has received complaints over delays in the delivery of cannabis in the province, almost two weeks since the drug was legalized across the country.

September 27, 2018

27 September 2018

Ombudsman targets province’s driver licence suspension system - Ministry agrees to modernize cumbersome, confusing notification process

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today called on the Ministry of Transportation to overhaul the way it notifies drivers whose licences are suspended for unpaid fines – a process his investigation found to be unreasonable, unjust and wrong.

September 18, 2018

18 September 2018

Ombudsman assessing new complaints about OPP handling of officers’ operational stress injuries and suicide

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé has directed staff to assess new complaints and issues related to suicides and operational stress injuries among Ontario Provincial Police officers, to determine whether or not a follow-up investigation is warranted.

August 30, 2018

30 August 2018

Ontario Ombudsman to investigate Niagara region CAO hiring and related issues

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced he will conduct a formal investigation into matters related to the hiring of the Regional Municipality of Niagara’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

July 18, 2018

18 July 2018

Niagara Region infringed journalist’s rights: Ombudsman

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today called on the Regional Municipality of Niagara to apologize publicly to a local journalist and a citizen blogger for seizing their property and ejecting them from a council meeting last December. The region’s actions were unreasonable, unjust, wrong and contrary to law, Mr. Dubé’s investigation found.
 

June 27, 2018

27 June 2018

Ombudsman details benefits of independent oversight Annual Report 2017-2018

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today cited improvements in accountability and bureaucratic leadership in several public sector bodies as a measure of how independent offices like his can make public services better.

May 11, 2018

11 May 2018

Ontario Ombudsman again nominated as one of Canada’s most influential lawyers

For the second straight year, Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé is among the nominees for Canadian Lawyer magazine’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada.

May 1, 2018

1 May 2018

Ombudsman to investigate province’s handling of ambulance service complaints

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced an investigation into how the province oversees patient complaints and incident reports about ambulance services.

April 25, 2018

25 April 2018

Police officer 'gave himself the space and time' in high-stakes arrest: experts (National Post)

Experts say the powerful video of Alek Minassian’s arrest reveals a textbook case of an officer defusing danger through a series of life-and-death choices based on training and a calm mind.

April 11, 2018

11 April 2018

Township should apologize, forgive property owner’s $11,700 debt

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today called on the Township of St. Clair to apologize to a resident for surprising her with a bill for $11,700.63 in by-law enforcement expenses that it had no legal authority to charge.

April 3, 2018

3 April 2018

Ombudsman welcomes province’s commitment to improving police de-escalation training

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today welcomed a news release from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, confirming it is taking steps to transform how police use force across the province, as he recommended in a 2016 report.

March 14, 2018

14 March 2018

Provincial and university ombuds promote accountability on campus (University Affairs)

Ontario universities came under the provincial ombudsman’s oversight in 2016. The office has since received more than 500 university-related complaints.

February 22, 2018

22 February 2018

Ombudsman calls for amendments to policing bill to ensure effective civilian oversight

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today flagged several gaps in the province’s proposed new policing legislation, warning that they could undermine its promise of stronger civilian oversight of police.

February 21, 2018

21 February 2018

Ombudsman welcomes new legislation to reform correctional services, segregation

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today welcomed new legislation that promises to incorporate many of his recommendations to reform correctional services in the province, particularly the placement and monitoring of inmates in solitary confinement -- officially known as segregation.

December 29, 2017

29 December 2017

The Ombudsman's Top 10 Stories of 2017

Ombudsman Paul Dubé’s second year in office was distinguished by our first-ever investigations in the broader public sector (related to municipalities and school boards), important reforms in correctional services and policing, and connecting with a wider range of stakeholders than ever before. Here’s our annual top 10 list of key developments in the past year.

December 29, 2017

29 December 2017

Ombudsman promotes changes to Municipal Act : New rules for open meetings as of New Year’s Day

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today shared new resources to inform municipal councils and their constituents about changes to the open meeting rules that take effect on New Year’s Day.
 

December 14, 2017

14 December 2017

Ombudsman to investigate incident at Niagara council meeting

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today informed the Regional Municipality of Niagara that he will conduct a formal investigation into an incident at a council meeting on December 7, when a journalist and a citizen blogger were reportedly asked to leave the premises and had their property seized.

November 2, 2017

2 November 2017

Statement by Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé on announcement of new policing legislation

The new package of policing legislation tabled by the government today is a welcome response to numerous recommendations my office has made to improve the oversight and accountability of policing in Ontario.

August 11, 2017

11 August 2017

Toronto’s school bus woes demonstrate the risks of reinventing the wheel (TVO)

It was, as they say, a teachable moment. In September 2016, at a time when parents have more than enough on their minds, Toronto’s school bus network was in chaos: some buses showed up late in the mornings, others not at all. And at the end of the day, drivers in some cases dropped kids off long distances from where they were supposed to.

August 10, 2017

10 August 2017

School boards blamed for bus problems that stranded thousands of students (The Toronto Star)

The Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board are responsible for systemic failure and communication breakdown, report says.

August 10, 2017

10 August 2017

Boards mishandled school bus driver shortage, Ombudsman finds; Recommendations accepted, improvements in place for new school year

Toronto’s two largest school boards have taken steps to prevent another bus driver shortage this fall, after an investigation by Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé revealed their “actions and inactions” led to thousands of students being stranded as school began last September.

August 10, 2017

10 August 2017

'Communication failures' caused school bus crisis of 2016, Ontario ombudsman's report reveals (CBC News)

Ontario's ombudsman is reassuring Toronto parents the school bus woes that left thousands of students scrambling to get to class last fall was caused by "communication failures" — and they won't be repeated this September.

June 27, 2017

27 June 2017

Ontario ombudsman investigates cases where drivers miss notice of licence suspension (The Star)

Ombudsman cites “weak links” at transportation ministry in cases when drivers not notified their licences have been suspended.

June 27, 2017

27 June 2017

It looks like change is finally coming to the Family Responsibility Office (TVO)

Ontario ombudsman Paul Dubé’s latest report includes the usual litany of problems at the agency that’s supposed to enforce child support payments. Still, Dubé says things are getting better.

June 27, 2017

27 June 2017

Ombudsman lauds new era of oversight - Annual Report 2016-2017

Greater oversight of public sector bodies will improve accountability and services to Ontarians, provided it is consistent and effective, Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé notes today in his latest Annual Report, marking the first full year of his term and his office’s expanded mandate.

June 27, 2017

27 June 2017

10 notable cases from the Ontario ombudsman's annual report (QP Briefing)

Paul Dubé on Tuesday released his annual report into the 21,328 complaints his office received in 2016-17.

June 7, 2017

7 June 2017

The Role of the Ombudsman (OPC Register)

Working with school boards to resolve complaints

June 2, 2017

2 June 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

31 May 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 municipality.

May 24, 2017

24 May 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 several complaints by drivers – some of whom had no idea their licences were invalid.

April 24, 2017

24 April 2017

Ontario prisons use solitary confinement too often, and for the wrong reasons (TVO)

ANALYSIS: Ombudsman Paul Dubé says the province's segregation practices need serious revision — and that the government has long been aware of systemic problems

April 24, 2017

24 April 2017

It’s high time to track and reduce the use of solitary confinement: Editorial (The Star)

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé’s report last week on solitary confinement found a ministry that literally doesn’t know how many prisoners are being held in it for how long.

April 20, 2017

20 April 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 putting vulnerable people at risk.

April 20, 2017

20 April 2017

Ontario ombudsman slams segregation use (Canadian Press)

TORONTO — Vulnerable inmates are being put at risk due to Ontario's highly flawed system of segregation, the province's ombudsman said Thursday.

April 20, 2017

20 April 2017

'Unreasonable, wrong, oppressive': Segregation tracking system a failure, ombudsman reports (Ottawa Citizen)

An Ottawa jail inmate with apparent mental health issues and a diminished cognitive ability that made it difficult for him to carry on a conversation spent more than a year in segregation, an investigation by the province’s ombudsman found.

April 20, 2017

20 April 2017

Ontario routinely flouts solitary-confinement rules: report (The Globe and Mail)

Following a six-month investigation, Ontario’s Ombudsman has found that the province routinely flouts its own rules around solitary confinement in prisons, regularly losing track of how long prisoners have spent in the restrictive cells as well as why they were placed there.

April 20, 2017

20 April 2017

Ontario's solitary confinement tracking system 'wrong ... oppressive': ombudsman ‘We probably tracked livestock better than we do human beings’ — ministry official (iPolitics.ca)

After a shocking case of solitary confinement in one Ontario prison was exposed last fall, the province’s ombudsman has revealed a system that fails to track how long inmates remain in segregation and largely ignores policies meant to ensure segregation placements are both reviewed and justified.

April 20, 2017

20 April 2017

‘Serious problems’ in use of segregation in prisons, Ontario ombudsman reports (The Star)

Paul Dubé calls on provincial government to better track and monitor use of solitary confinement.

April 6, 2017

6 April 2017

Province commits to releasing all past and present SIU reports as recommended in police review (CBC News)

'As a family we felt that ... positive things have happened related to Andrew's death,' Loku's uncle says.

March 6, 2017

6 March 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 practices.

December 30, 2016

30 December 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 the key developments of the past year.

December 29, 2016

29 December 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 office has received some 3,176 public complaints and inquiries about municipalities, and 232 about universities.

December 12, 2016

12 December 2016

Point the finger at lack of de-escalation training, ombudsman says at Ottawa forum (Orleans News)

Paul Dubé, Ontario’s ombudsman, addressed a crowd including Ottawa police at the police service’s second annual Human Rights Learning Forum on Dec. 8 at the St. Elias Centre.

December 2, 2016

2 December 2016

Ontario ombudsman announces review of process of placing prisoners in solitary (The Star)

Review follows in the wake of the Adam Capay case and a rising number of complaints.

December 2, 2016

2 December 2016

Ontario ombudsman investigating province's use of solitary confinement (The Globe and Mail)

Ontario’s Ombudsman has launched an investigation into the way the province tracks and reviews the placement of prisoners in solitary confinement.

December 2, 2016

2 December 2016

Ontario Ombudsman has had more than 500 complaints about use of solitary confinement (The London Free Press)

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dube is adding his voice to the growing questions about segregation in the province’s jails, launching a probe into the controversial practice.

December 2, 2016

2 December 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 serious issues raised in an increasing number of complaints.

November 4, 2016

4 November 2016

Family Responsibility Office received 1,000+ complaints last year, needs 'urgent change' (CBC Toronto)

A Toronto mother says she's been in bureaucratic limbo for more than six months after filing an application with the Family Responsibility Office (FRO) in order to retrieve missing child support payments.

 

November 2, 2016

2 November 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 – provincial government bodies, municipalities, universities and school boards.

November 2, 2016

2 November 2016

Ottawa jail in the top three for complaints, despite fewer inmates (Ottawa Citizen)

The Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre remained among the three most complained about jails in Ontario, a dubious distinction it earned despite being the only jail in the top five that housed fewer than 1,000 inmates.

November 2, 2016

2 November 2016

Agency that enforces child support generates most complaints: Ombudsman (Canadian Press)

TORONTO -- Ontario's Family Responsibility Office, which enforces court-ordered child and spousal support payments, tops the list of provincial government organizations generating complaints to the ombudsman's office.

October 27, 2016

27 October 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 and transparent.   

September 26, 2016

26 September 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 26, 2016

26 September 2016

Ombudsman investigating recent school busing problems at TDSB and TCDSB (CTV News)

Ontario ombudsman Paul Dubé will probe the recent school busing problems at the city’s two primary boards, his office announced Monday.

September 26, 2016

26 September 2016

Ombudsman launches investigation into Toronto school bus chaos (The Star)

Paul Dubé announced on Monday that the TDSB and TCDSB will be investigated as the shortage of drivers continues to frustrate Toronto parents.

September 19, 2016

19 September 2016

Ontario ombudsman reports 182 complaints received about universities (The Varsity)

Ombudsman’s university oversight began in January.

September 9, 2016

9 September 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 issues to determine whether or not a systemic investigation is warranted.

September 9, 2016

9 September 2016

Ontario's ombudsman will probe school bus driver shortage (CBC News)

Paul Dubé could make recommendations to solve the problem and improve future services.

September 6, 2016

6 September 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.

September 6, 2016

6 September 2016

Ombudsman's office resolves most complaints about schools without investigations (The Canadian Press)

TORONTO - The office of Ontario's ombudsman received more than 700 complaints in the first year it had oversight of school boards, but says 85 per cent were resolved without a formal investigation.

August 30, 2016

30 August 2016

Ombudsman congratulated for report (Sarnia Observer)

I would like to congratulate the Ontario Ombudsman, Paul Dubé, on the thoroughness of his report on developmental services in Ontario (Sarnia Observer, Aug 26). The report highlights situations of crisis and challenges of access into services for adults with developmental disabilities. The crisis circumstances described within the report are unacceptable.

August 25, 2016

25 August 2016

Heartbreaking cycle for those with developmental disabilities needs to end (Toronto Sun)

The stories are horrific.

Patrick, 24, had cerebral palsy and couldn’t speak. He was placed in a local nursing home because his mother could no longer cope with his aggressive outbursts.

August 24, 2016

24 August 2016

Treatment of adults with developmental disabilities 'deeply flawed': Ombudsman (Ottawa Citizen)

The way Ontario cares for developmentally delayed adults and their families is “deeply flawed”, says Ontario’s ombudsman, whose four-year investigation revealed “shocking systemic problems” in the province’s treatment of the disabled.

August 24, 2016

24 August 2016

Ontario fails to help people with developmental disabilities: Ombud (The Canadian Press)

TORONTO - Widespread inconsistencies and gaps in Ontario's support network have left many adults with developmental disabilities scrambling for care, at times exposing them to abuse or landing them behind bars, a new report said Wednesday.

August 24, 2016

24 August 2016

Ontario ombudsman calls for systematic overhaul of care for adults with developmental disabilities (CBC News)

Ombudsman's report says 'desperate' families often struggle to negotiate maze of social service agencies.

August 24, 2016

24 August 2016

Province must act immediately to support people with developmental disabilities: Editorial (Toronto Star)

The province should move quickly to implement Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé's recommendations on how to end Ontario's shameful treatment of people with developmental disabilities.

August 24, 2016

24 August 2016

Ontario must fix ‘deeply flawed’ system to help people with developmental disabilities, ombudsman says (Toronto Star)

Paul Dubé said in his report that he found “a fragmented, overly complicated system of service agencies and funding programs, and a baffling lack of flexibility from officials at the top.”

August 24, 2016

24 August 2016

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

Province accepts 60 recommendations to fix chronic service gaps.

July 27, 2016

27 July 2016

Death of Abdirahman Abdi fuels calls for police training reforms (Global News)

Calls for changes to police training are getting louder after Abdirahman Abdi, a mentally-ill Ottawa man, died in the wake of a confrontation with police this week.

July 27, 2016

27 July 2016

Ontario's ombudsman calls death of Ottawa man after arrest 'tragic' (CBC News)

Paul Dubé released a report on use-of-force nearly four weeks before Abdirahman Abdi's death.

July 20, 2016

20 July 2016

Hamilton’s closed-door review of election-spending complaints broke the rules: Ombudsman (Hamilton Spectator)

Provincial Ombudsman Paul Dubé has ruled Hamilton’s election compliance audit committee wrongly deliberated behind closed doors last year.

July 19, 2016

19 July 2016

Ombudsman slaps Oshawa’s wrist over closed-door meeting (Oshawa This Week)

Session with OPUC should have been held in public.

July 4, 2016

4 July 2016

Focus: New ombudsman on the scene (Law Times)

Paul Dubé is walking in the hallway of his 10th floor Bay Street office when an older man wearing a plaid shirt suddenly approaches him. “Excuse me, sir, are you the ombudsman?” the man eagerly asks. “I have a case here.”

June 29, 2016

29 June 2016

Time to ensure police are trained to talk first (Toronto Sun)

Eight seconds.
 
That’s all the time it took for cops to slam the door of their cruiser and proceed to shoot Michael MacIsaac, says his sister Joanne.

June 29, 2016

29 June 2016

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

Leadership long overdue in teaching alternatives to lethal force.

June 29, 2016

29 June 2016

Ombudsman wants police to get better training in de-escalation techniques (The Canadian Press)

TORONTO - Families of people killed by police are "hopeful" the Ontario government will act on an ombudsman's report calling for improved training in de-escalation techniques for officers who encounter people in crisis.

June 29, 2016

29 June 2016

Report after Sammy Yatim’s death slams police training (Toronto Star)

Citing an “urgent need” for improvements to police training, Ontario’s Ombudsman is calling for the province to create a regulation requiring police to deescalate and use communications techniques in all possible conflict situations before resorting to force.

May 27, 2016

27 May 2016

Council to question staff on findings of illegal procedure (Simcoe Reformer)

Council was prepared to discuss the findings of Ontario ombudsman Paul Dube at its regular meeting Tuesday. However, two key players in the episode – CAO Keith Robicheau and clerk Andrew Grozelle – were not in attendance.

May 25, 2016

25 May 2016

Ontario Ombudsman to probe City of Brampton’s business practices (Brampton Guardian)

Ontario’s Ombudsman has launched an inquiry into Brampton’s procurement practices but won't touch a controversial downtown development deal that has mired city hall in controversy since 2011.

May 25, 2016

25 May 2016

Ontario ombudsman tackles Brampton city hall (Toronto Star)

Procurement probe will be the first “systemic” municipal investigation under Paul Dubé’s new powers.

May 25, 2016

25 May 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 regarding non-competitive procurements.

May 19, 2016

19 May 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 12, 2016

12 May 2016

Ban long-term solitary confinement: Editorial (Toronto Star)

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé is right to call for a ban on the long-term solitary confinement of prison inmates.

May 10, 2016

10 May 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 protect the rights of the vulnerable.

May 10, 2016

10 May 2016

Ontario ombudsman calls on province to end indefinite segregation in jails (The Canadian Press)

Ontario's ombudsman has urged the provincial government to stop putting inmates in segregation for longer than 15 days.

May 10, 2016

10 May 2016

Ontario's Ombudsman calls for end to indefinite segregation (Ottawa Citizen)

Ontario’s ombudsman is calling on the province to permanently abolish the practice of locking up inmates in solitary confinement for indefinite periods of time.

May 10, 2016

10 May 2016

Mental illness particular concern for inmates in indefinite isolation, says Paul Dubé (London Free Press)

A call by Ontario’s citizen watchdog to stop segregating inmates for longer than 15 days is a step in the right direction, says a London lawyer outspoken about the treatment of people in jails.

May 10, 2016

10 May 2016

Ontario ombudsman calls for end to long-term solitary confinement in jails (Globe and Mail)

In a scathing appraisal of Ontario prison practices, the provincial Ombudsman is pushing for a ban on long-term solitary confinement, a move that would make the province the first jurisdiction in Canada to apply United Nations guidelines to the draconian form of incarceration. Ombudsman Paul Dubé made the recommendations on Tuesday, part of an exhaustive submission to the province’s continuing review of solitary confinement – formally termed “segregation” – in its 27 correctional facilities.

April 2, 2016

2 April 2016

Meet Ontario's new ombudsman (Toronto Sun)

Paul Dubé took the oath of office Friday to become the new Ontario Ombudsman.

April 1, 2016

1 April 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 office was established in 1975.

April 1, 2016

1 April 2016

A conversation with Paul Dubé, Ontario’s new ombudsman​ (QP Briefing)

Dubé emphasizes his collaborative style and focus on building trust and credibility with public agencies - and also confirms he won't be quite the presence on Twitter that his predecessor was.

April 1, 2016

1 April 2016

‘This is a job I’ve dreamt of’: Ontario’s ombudsman talks Twitter, transparency and his new role (National Post)

Ontario’s newest watchdog wants to soften his office’s bark.

February 19, 2016

19 February 2016

What you need to know about the Ontario Ombudsman’s expanded oversight of municipalities, universities and school boards

On February 5, 2016, the Ontario Bar Association presented a breakfast program titled “What you need to know about the Ontario Ombudsman’s expanded oversight of municipalities, universities and school boards”. Laura Pettigrew, General Counsel at the Ontario Ombudsman, and Barbara Finlay, Acting Ombudsman, each spoke about the Ontario Ombudsman’s expanded jurisdiction.  Acting Deputy Ombudsman Wendy Ray moderated the program.

February 17, 2016

17 February 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 announced yesterday and approved by unanimous vote in the Legislature.

February 16, 2016

16 February 2016

Paul Dubé to succeed André Marin as next Ontario ombudsman (Toronto Star)

Federal tax watchdog will succeed André Marin as the new full-time Ombudsman of Ontario, it was announced in the legislature on Tuesday.

February 8, 2016

8 February 2016

Former Caledon officer encourages first responders to step out of the shadows and talk about mental health (Caledon Enterprise)

Ten first responders and two members of the military took their lives in the first six weeks of the year.

January 25, 2016

25 January 2016

Ontario ombudsman can now investigate universities (The Dialog)

The office of the Ontario ombudsman received new powers on Jan. 1 allowing it to launch investigations into complaints about universities and municipalities in Ontario.

January 24, 2016

24 January 2016

Watchdog’s purview expands to include university, city hall (The London Free Press)

If you’ve got a beef with Western University or city hall, you’ve got a new go-to place to turn.

January 20, 2016

20 January 2016

Watchdog starts New Year with new powers (Parry Sound North Star)

This year, the New Year will not only ring in resolutions, it will also welcome a bigger watchdog.

January 15, 2016

15 January 2016

How do we help the first responders who endure trauma when helping us? (The Globe and Mail)

Late one night in the summer of 2014, Bill Rusk, a police sergeant in Owen Sound, Ont., was crouched on the roof of a downtown store, watching the window of a second-floor apartment in the building next door. His squad had come to bust up a drug deal, and had been told that a violent man was hiding inside with a sawed-off shotgun.

December 31, 2015

31 December 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 of the Ombudsman’s mandate is the result of the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, which also extended the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction to school boards on September 1, 2015.

December 31, 2015

31 December 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 Ombudsman Barbara Finlay has designed this list to help Ontarians get to know us better. Without further ado, here are her Top 10 Things To Know for 2016.​

December 16, 2015

16 December 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 releasing the Office’s latest report.

December 4, 2015

4 December 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

30 October 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 comes as the office embarks on an historic expansion of its mandate – something the first Ombudsman began calling for in 1975.

September 24, 2015

24 September 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 Community Safety and Correctional Services’ public consultation on the practice often known as “carding.”

September 16, 2015

16 September 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 office since 2005 as Deputy Ombudsman and Director of Operations. She has previously worked as Director General of Operations for the National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, and as an Assistant Crown Attorney and part-time law professor.

September 8, 2015

8 September 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 as Ontario children return to school today.

August 31, 2015

31 August 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 with the passage of Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014.

July 28, 2015

28 July 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 of legislation extending the Ombudsman’s mandate to municipalities, school boards and universities, and an 86% increase in complaints received since 2009-2010.

June 5, 2015

5 June 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 about Hydro One, please refer to these options.

June 4, 2015

4 June 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 Building Ontario Up Act (Budget Measures) 2015.

May 25, 2015

25 May 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 customers and transparency, and urged the government to preserve independent oversight of the utility in the public interest.

May 21, 2015

21 May 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 proclaimed for the relevant sections of the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act to come into force.

May 14, 2015

14 May 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 powers.

March 11, 2015

11 March 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

27 January 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 hold them accountable, Ontario Ombudsman André Marin says today in his latest report.

October 22, 2014

22 October 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 has put them at risk for years.

April 30, 2014

30 April 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

5 November 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 for de-escalating conflict situations.

June 20, 2013

20 June 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 force in correctional institutions, which he said are troubled by a pervasive “code of silence” that has been festering for years.
 

June 11, 2013

11 June 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 institutions use excessive force against inmates and conspire to cover it up.

October 24, 2012

24 October 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 across the province who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide and other forms of operational stress injuries.

December 14, 2011

14 December 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 undermined it.

June 10, 2011

10 June 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-emergency transportation of hundreds of thousands of patients every year.

May 12, 2011

12 May 2011

Ontario relents, starts to fund cancer drug (The Globe and Mail)

Jill Anzarut - a thorn to government, a champion to breast-cancer activists - is to start Herceptin on Friday for a half-centimetre tumour that was once deemed too small to treat.

May 12, 2011

12 May 2011

Ontario joins other provinces in expanding funding for cancer drug Herceptin (Canadian Press)

Ontario is moving to join other provinces in funding the cancer drug Herceptin for small tumours following a public outcry sparked by a breast cancer patient.

May 12, 2011

12 May 2011

Herceptin coverage extended – Ombudsman suspends investigation

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today suspended his investigation into the province’s limited funding of Herceptin, after the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care decided it would fund the drug for patients with breast cancer tumours of one centimetre in diameter or less.

February 23, 2011

23 February 2011

Ombudsman releases information on G20-related police complaints

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today released information on 112 complaints received by his Office about police conduct during the June 2010 G20 summit in Toronto. The information, requested by the Ontario Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) in the course of its ongoing investigations, was also tabled in the Legislature and posted on the Ombudsman’s website.

December 21, 2010

21 December 2010

Ombudsman finds delays, inconsistencies and lack of transparency in monitoring of long-term care homes

Ministry effort to address problems “a work in progress”.

December 9, 2010

9 December 2010

Ontario Ombudsman statement on G20 arrests and detentions

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today issued a brief additional statement about his special report Caught in the Act.  The statement addresses issues and questions surrounding the use of police powers granted by the province’s enactment of Regulation 233/10 under the Public Works Protection Act.

December 7, 2010

7 December 2010

Ombudsman finds G20 regulation of “dubious legality”; Citizens unfairly trapped by secret expansion of police powers

The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services quietly promoted the use of a likely illegal regulation to grant police “extravagant” powers on the eve of the G20 summit, Ontario Ombudsman André Marin says in his latest report, released today.

August 10, 2010

10 August 2010

Ombudsman finds Hamilton-Niagara region LHIN’s “clandestine” meetings illegal; urges province to increase transparency of all LHINs

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today released the results of his latest special investigation, calling on the province to improve the accountability and transparency of Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) across the province.

November 29, 2009

29 November 2009

Ontario uncaps Avastin funding in wake of Ombudsman probe

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today welcomed the province’s announcement that it will uncap the funding of Avastin for colorectal cancer patients.  Mr. Marin recommended that the “absurd and indefensible” cap be lifted two months ago in his report, A Vast Injustice.

October 1, 2009

1 October 2009

Statement by Ontario Ombudsman André Marin on Avastin funding

Yesterday, I issued A Vast Injustice, a report on my investigation into the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s decision-making concerning the funding of Avastin for colorectal cancer patients.  The basic premise of my report is that although the Ministry is entitled to consider cost in deciding whether to fund a cancer drug such as Avastin, any limit on the duration of funding should be supported by sound medical evidence.

September 30, 2009

30 September 2009

Ministry decision to restrict cancer drug “verges on cruelty” - Ombudsman finds cap on Avastin funding unreasonable and wrong

The Ontario government’s funding cutoff for patients taking the cancer drug Avastin is unreasonable, wrong and “verges on cruelty,” Ontario Ombudsman André Marin’s latest investigation has found.

August 25, 2009

25 August 2009

Ontario Ombudsman urges stricter controls on colleges: Cambrian left students unqualified; Ministry “abdicated responsibility”

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today issued a strong back-to-school warning to the provincial government to keep a closer eye on colleges, to ensure students are getting the education they pay for.

July 14, 2009

14 July 2009

Ontario Ombudsman calls on government to better protect students: Ministry incompetence led to private career college “disaster”

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today  urged the province’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to get tougher on unscrupulous private career colleges.

April 29, 2009

29 April 2009

Ombudsman finds closed Oshawa meeting illegally involved lobbying, not just ‘education’

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin has found a city of Oshawa committee met inappropriately behind closed doors with a private business in a “lobbying” session that was supposed to be for “education and training” purposes only.

April 27, 2009

27 April 2009

Ontario Ombudsman censures Oshawa for "pirating" report

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today tabled a report signalling to municipalities that they must respect the law when they engage the services of his office.

September 30, 2008

30 September 2008

Special Investigations Unit must dispel “toothless tiger” image

Ombudsman investigation finds culture of complacency at SIU.

June 3, 2008

3 June 2008

Ombudsman calls for clarity on new home warranty program

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today called on the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services to clarify its relationship with Tarion Warranty Corp. in its communications with new homeowners and the general public.

February 26, 2008

26 February 2008

Ombudsman calls for new law to avert legal aid “fiascos”

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today called on the province to change the law to prevent further legal aid fiascos like the Richard Wills murder case.

February 26, 2008

26 February 2008

BACKGROUNDER - A Test of Wills Key Dates

A Test of Wills Key Dates.

April 13, 2007

13 April 2007

Ombudsman’s intervention resolves mental health services crisis

Traumatized children of Ontario soldiers serving in Afghanistan will get the mental health services they need in the wake of the latest investigation by Ombudsman André Marin.

March 26, 2007

26 March 2007

Ombudsman urges regulation of lotteries to restore trust, Province and OLG vow to act on recommendations

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin today called on the provincial government to regulate its lottery system as it does other gaming activities, in the wake of his office’s special investigation into the problem of “insider” theft and fraud involving Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation ticket retailers.

February 27, 2007

27 February 2007

Ombudsman finds Ontario broke its promise to crime victims, Ministry of Attorney General acting contrary to law

Ontario’s compensation system for crime victims is hurting the very people it is supposed to help, Ombudsman André Marin says in his report released today, Adding Insult to Injury.

August 9, 2006

9 August 2006

Ontario’s Family Responsibility Office dropped the ball in collecting delinquent child support

In his most recent report titled, “It's All in the Name,” Ontario’s Ombudsman André Marin found that the Ontario Family Responsibility Office needs to accept greater responsibility for ensuring that the rights of Ontario’s Families are protected in the enforcement of support orders.

May 31, 2006

31 May 2006

Ontario’s most vulnerable are losing out

Ontario’s disabled have lost out on disability benefits to the tune of at least $6 million, as a result of delays in processing their applications for support by the Ministry of Community and Social Services’ Ontario Disability Support Program and the impact of a provincial regulation, which limited retroactive benefit payments to four months.

March 28, 2006

28 March 2006

MPAC in credibility crisis

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is experiencing a crisis of credibility and must take real and concrete steps to improve public confidence in the assessment system, Ombudsman André Marin said at a press conference announcing the release of his report on the investigation into the transparency of the property assessment process and the integrity and efficiency of decision-making at MPAC.

September 1, 2005

1 September 2005

Ombudsman finds Ministry bound by its own red tape

Bureaucratic obfuscation, errors, excuses and omissions are just some of the criticisms Ombudsman André Marin leveled at officials at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in his report titled, "From Hope to Despair".

April 25, 2005

25 April 2005

Children with severe disabilities focus of Ombudsman’s first Special Investigation

The Ombudsman of Ontario, André Marin, announced the launch of a new special Ombudsman response team and its first major investigation at a press conference held earlier today.