Summary

The Ombudsman of Ontario is an Officer of the Provincial Legislature who is independent of government and political parties. The Ombudsman's job is to ensure government accountability through effective oversight of the administration of government services. The Ombudsman's authority to investigate complaints is set out in the Ombudsman Act.

Individuals may contact the Office of the Ombudsman to lodge a complaint through multiple avenues. Complaints can be received in person, in writing, via toll-free telephone, email, or online complaint form. The Office provides extensive information about its operations and specific investigations in both English and French, on Ombudsman Ontario.

Program Summary

Operating Expense
Vote Program

Estimates
2023-24

Estimates
2022-23

Difference
Between
2023-24
and
2022-23

Actual
2021-22
2301 Ombudsman Ontario Program $29,465,000 31,280,100 ($1,815,100) $20,879,197
  Total Operating Expense to be Voted $29,465,000 $31,280,100 ($1,815,100) $20,879,197
  Total Operating Expense $29,465,000 $31,280,100 ($1,815,100) $20,879,197
  Total Including Consolidation & Other Adjustments $29,465,000 $31,280,100 ($1,815,100) $20,879,197
  Total Operating and Capital Including Consolidation and Other Adjustments (not including Assets) $29,465,000 $31,280,100 ($1,815,100) $20,879,197

Ombudsman Ontario program - vote 2301

The Ombudsman is an officer of the Legislature whose mandate is set out in the Ombudsman Act. The Ombudsman promotes fairness, accountability and transparency in the public sector by investigating complaints and systemic issues within his jurisdiction, and making recommendations to improve the administration of public policy, programs and services.

The Ombudsman resolves and investigates complaints about provincial government ministries, corporations, agencies, boards, commissions and tribunals (with some exceptions), as well as French language services, child protection services, municipalities, universities and school boards.

During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the Office of the Ombudsman received approximately 25,000 complaints. The Office’s approved staff complement in 2022-2023 was 186 FTEs.

Vote Summary

Operating Expense
Item number Item

Estimates
2023-24

Estimates
2022-23

Difference
Between
2023-24
and
2022-23

Actual
2021-22
1 The Ombudsman $29,465,000 $31,280,100 ($1,815,100) $20,879,197
  Total operating expense to be voted $29,465,000 $31,280,100 ($1,815,100) $20,879,197
  Total operating expense $29,465,000 $31,280,100 ($1,815,100) $20,879,197

Standard Account by Item and Sub-Items

 

 

 

Operating Expense
Vote-
Item
number		 Standard account by item and sub-items Amount
2301-1 The Ombudsman  
 

Salaries and wages

 $17,310,300
 

Employee benefits

 $4,137,000
 

Transportation and communication

 $1,520,500
 

Services

 $5,666,800
 

Supplies and equipment

 $830,400
  Total operating expense to be voted $29,465,000
  Total operating expense for ombudsman Ontario program $29,465,000