CANADA | Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé welcomes colleagues from across Canada for Annual Fairness Talks

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.

“We have a common goal of promoting fair, equitable public services in all of our provinces and territories,” said Ombudsman Dubé, who also holds the role of CCPO President. “Sharing ideas and best practices through this annual meeting, as well as through our regular webinars and working groups, is not only inspiring, but better equips us with the tools we need to help citizens.”

All Canadian provinces, along with Yukon and the Northwest Territories, have a parliamentary ombudsman responsible for providing oversight of government and public sector services. Many hold additional legislated responsibilities, including mandates for receiving privacy complaints, public interest disclosures, child and youth services, and French language services. While their individual mandates differ, they all value independence, rule of law, inclusion, and open government.

“The Ombudsman role is vital to democracy. We are free, accessible, and uniquely positioned to set matters straight between government administration and the public,” said Dubé. “Across Canada, ombudsman offices resolve tens of thousands of cases every year, helping people with everything from government services, to child protection concerns, to municipal or school board issues, to language rights.”

Ombudsman Dubé is also President of the North American region of the International Ombudsman Institute, the only global body that promotes the development of ombudsman institutions around the world as important to democratic oversight, and supports them through research, training and information exchange.

Source: Ombudsman Ontario, Canada