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About the Office
We all expect government, other public bodies and trustees to act in a fair, open, and transparent manner. What if you believe they haven't?
The ombudsman can investigate your complaint about access to information and privacy matters, the fairness of government actions or decisions, or serious 'wrongdoings' that you believe may have occurred. This site contains information about the different kinds of investigations the ombudsman can conduct, what you need to know about submitting a complaint, complaint forms, and a variety of other resources.
Manitoba Ombudsman is an independent office of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and is not part of any government department or agency. The ombudsman conducts independent, impartial, and non-partisan investigations.
In Manitoba, four laws establish the ombudsman's authority to conduct investigations.
The Ombudsman Act created the office in 1970 and set out the ombudsman's authority to investigate complaints about administration by government bodies including:
- provincial government departments and agencies
- Crown corporations
- boards and commissions
- local government districts, planning districts, and conservation districts
- regional health authorities
- municipalities
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Under FIPPA, the ombudsman investigates complaints from people who have concerns about any decision, act or failure to act that relates to their requests for information from public bodies, or a privacy concern about the way their personal information was handled. Public bodies under FIPPA include:
- provincial government departments and agencies
- Executive Council (cabinet)
- municipalities
- local government districts, planning districts, and conservation districts
- school divisions and districts
- universities and colleges
- regional health authorities and hospitals
The Personal Health Information Act
Under PHIA, the Ombudsman investigates complaints from people who have concerns about any decision, act or failure to act that relates to their requests for their personal health information from public bodies or trustees, or a privacy concern about the way their personal health information was handled. In addition to the public bodies listed under FIPPA, PHIA also applies to:
- health professionals
- health care facilities
- health services agencies
The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act
Under PIDA, anyone can make a disclosure of wrongdoing (a very serious act or omission that is an offence under another law; that creates a specific and substantial danger to the life, health, or safety of persons or the environment; or gross mismanagement, including mismanagement of public funds or a public asset). Public bodies covered by PIDA include:
- provincial government departments
- Crown corporations
- boards and commissions
- child and family service authorities and agencies
- regional health authorities
- personal care homes
- hospitals
- universities and colleges
- school divisions and school districts
- municipalities identified by regulation under the act
- independent offices of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
- other organizations that receive at least 50% of their operating costs from government funds
Other responsibilities:
- Under the Fatality Inquiries Act, the chief medical examiner may direct that an inquest be held into the death of a person. Following the inquest, the judge submits a report and may recommend changes in the programs, policies and practices of government that, in his or her opinion, would reduce the likelihood of death in similar circumstances. The ombudsman began monitoring the implementation of inquest report recommendations in 1985.
- Between 2008 and March 2018, the ombudsman monitored and reported on the implementation of recommendations made by the children's advocate in their child death review reports. In March 2018, this responsibility was transferred to the advocate, now called the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth.
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