Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada Raymond Théberge released his report entitled A shared future: A closer look at our official language minority communities on 9 Oktober 2024. The report provides an overview of the current realities of official language minority communities, which are often on the front lines of official language challenges across Canada.

Le commissaire aux langues officielles du Canada, Raymond Théberge, a dévoilé  son rapport Un avenir en commun : regard sur nos communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire le 9 octobre 2024. Cet état des lieux met en lumière la réalité actuelle des communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire, celles-ci étant souvent en première ligne en ce qui a trait aux défis liés aux langues officielles à travers le Canada. 

This week, ombudspersons and their advisers from 18 countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia convened in Estonia for a two-day training seminar focused on the technological, legal, and ethical dimensions of AI in administrative decisions and ombuds investigations. As AI evolves rapidly, ensuring its alignment with human rights, the rule of law, and democratic values in decision-making processes is becoming increasingly important. This training seminar was financed by the International Ombudsman Institute.

On 2 October 2024, the governments of the EU Member States appointed the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman as judge to the Court of Justice of the European Union. He will be sworn in and take office on 7 October 2024. For the same reason, Niels Fenger resigns as Ombudsman, with effect from the same day.

A finales de abril, el Ayuntamiento de Badalona clausuró el albergue Can Bofí Vell, que ofrecía comidas y un lugar para dormir a una cincuentena de personas sin hogar en situación de gran desprotección. A finales de abril, el Ayuntamiento de Badalona clausuró el albergue Can Bofí Vell, que ofrecía comidas y un lugar para dormir a una cincuentena de personas sin hogar en situación de gran desprotección. Preocupada por la situación en la que quedaban estas personas, la mayoría con situaciones graves de vulnerabilidad y estados de salud bastante deteriorados, el Síndic de Greuges de Catalunya abrió una actuación de oficio para hacer un seguimiento de las alternativas y los recursos que les ofrecía el Ayuntamiento.

The response from a Local Authority to an Ombudsman for Children’s Office investigation into living conditions for 66 children and their families at a halting site could act as a blueprint of success for other local authorities to follow.

In 2020, the Post Courier reported an alleged understaffing of nursing personnel and unpaid nursing awards for nurses in Central province. The Ombudsman Commission invoked its power and registered an own initiative complaint and investigated the matter after having knowledge of the media publication. On 23 February 2024, the Central Provincial Health Authority informed the Ombudsman Commission that all the outstanding nurses’ awards were paid.

September was an eventful month for the Alberta Ombudsman’s office, highlighted by the release of their 57th Annual Report and a meaningful trip to Red Deer. This journey, made by the Alberta Ombudsman and select staff, stands out as an effective way to raise awareness about the services the institution offers to Albertans and to provide valuable education to local authorities. Engaging with communities across the province helps build stronger relationships and ensures that residents know how to access their services.