Expenditure Estimates Ombudsman Ontario (2014-15)

Summary

The Ombudsman is an Officer of the Legislature who submits his reports directly to the Legislative Assembly. The Ombudsman's mandate is set out in the Ombudsman Act. The Ombudsman publishes an Annual Report as required by the Act, as well as special reports throughout the year on systemic investigations conducted by the Special Ombudsman Response Team.

The Ombudsman investigates complaints about the administration of Ontario's provincial governmental organizations and makes recommendations to improve government policy, programs and services. The Ombudsman investigates both individual and systemic complaints brought forward by members of the public, Members of Provincial Parliament, and on his own initiative. The Ombudsman services are free of charge.

During the 2013/2014 fiscal year, the Ombudsman's Office experienced a 37% increase in its caseload, receiving 26,999 complaints. The Ombudsman's Office maintains a complement of 86 FTE's, 63 of which are members of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees union (COPE). The last collective agreement was negotiated for the period of 2011 until March 31, 2013. Under the agreement its provisions are automatically renewed on a yearly basis until a new agreement is negotiated. This provides for annual step increases for staff. However no new salary increases have been in effect since 2013.

The Ombudsman also investigates citizens' complaints about closed municipal meetings pursuant to the Municipal Act, where no municipal investigator is in place. This additional jurisdiction was received in 2008 and was implemented using existing resources and with no resulting increase in the operating budget of the office. The Ombudsman also publishes an Annual Report on the Closed Meetings investigations conducted by his office, as well as special reports on individual investigations.

In December of 2014 Bill 8 passed. This legislation makes historic changes to the Ombudsman’s mandate, allowing our Office to help many more Ontarians. It expands the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction to municipalities, universities and school boards. At the time of this submission the Office is awaiting proclamation of the new legislation and a budget submission for this new required program will be submitted once the government determines the proclamation date.

The Office of the Ombudsman maintains a high social media presence and individuals may contact the Office to lodge a complaint in person, in writing, via toll-free telephone, email, internet or using a mobile web application. The Office provides extensive information about its operations and specific investigations in both English and French, on its website at www.ombudsman.on.ca.

Ombudsman Ontario Program - VOTE 2301

The Ombudsman is an Officer of the Legislature who submits his reports directly to the Legislative Assembly. The Ombudsman's mandate is set out in the Ombudsman Act. The Ombudsman publishes an Annual Report as required by the Act, as well as special reports throughout the year on systemic investigations conducted by the Special Ombudsman Response Team.

The Ombudsman investigates complaints about the administration of Ontario's provincial governmental organizations and makes recommendations to improve government policy, programs and services. The Ombudsman investigates both individual and systemic complaints brought forward by members of the public, Members of Provincial Parliament, and on his own initiative. The Ombudsman services are free of charge.

During the 2013/2014 fiscal year, the Ombudsman's Office experienced a 37% increase in its caseload, receiving 26,999 complaints. The Ombudsman's Office maintains a complement of 86 FTE's, 63 of which are members of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees union (COPE). The last collective agreement was negotiated for the period of 2011 until March 31, 2013. Under the agreement its provisions are automatically renewed on a yearly basis until a new agreement is negotiated. This provides for annual step increases for staff. However no new salary increases have been in effect since 2013.

The Ombudsman also investigates citizens' complaints about closed municipal meetings pursuant to the Municipal Act, where no municipal investigator is in place. This additional jurisdiction was received in 2008 and was implemented using existing resources and with no resulting increase in the operating budget of the office. The Ombudsman also publishes an Annual Report on the Closed Meetings investigations conducted by his office, as well as special reports on individual investigations.

In December of 2014 Bill 8 passed. This legislation makes historic changes to the Ombudsman’s mandate, allowing our Office to help many more Ontarians. It expands the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction to municipalities, universities and school boards. At the time of this submission the Office is awaiting proclamation of the new legislation and a budget submission for this new required program will be submitted once the government determines the proclamation date.

The Office of the Ombudsman maintains a high social media presence and individuals may contact the Office to lodge a complaint in person, in writing, via toll-free telephone, email, internet or using a mobile web application. The Office provides extensive information about its operations and specific investigations in both English and French, on its website at www.ombudsman.on.ca.