Ombudsman

The Alberta Ombudsman Office was established in September 1967. Alberta was the first province in Canada to bring in legislation to form an Ombudsman Office.  The Office has approximately 19 staff.

The Ombudsman operates independent of government.  The mandate of the Ombudsman is to investigate complaints of administrative unfairness people have against departments, boards, agencies and commissions of the provincial government.

The Ombudsman conducts impartial investigations and makes recommendations where necessary on behalf of individuals who believe they have been mistreated as a result of administrative actions or decisions of the provincial government.

The Ombudsman also conducts investigations into government matters on the request of a Minister, and can conduct investigations into matters of government if the Ombudsman decides there is a need.

The Ombudsman has a team of investigators.  When a complaint is opened for investigation, the assigned investigator conducts interviews, researches files, reviews legislation, regulations, and policies, and reports to the Ombudsman.  As a result of the investigation, the Ombudsman may make recommendations to the Deputy Minister responsible.

The Ombudsman prepares an annual report according to the Ombudsman Act and special reports from time to time depending on investigations conducted.

All avenues of appeal within a department, board, agency or commission must be exhausted prior to bringing a complaint to the Ombudsman.  There is no avenue of appeal following the Ombudsman's investigation.  There is no appeal from the Ombudsman's decision.