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, legislation that allows the Ombudsman to report on findings annually, and through special reports issued throughout the year on systemic investigations conducted by the Special Ombudsman Response Team.

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, internet or using a mobile web application. The Office provides extensive information about its operations and specific investigations in both English and French, on its website at www.ombudsman.on.ca.

Program summary

Vote

Program

Estimates
2018-19

Estimates
2017-18

Difference
Between
2018-19
and
2017-18

Actual
2016-17

 

Operating expense

 

 

 

 

2301

Ombudsman Ontario Program

$20,180,400

$18,995,400

$1,185,000

$13,622,091

 

Total operating expense to be voted

$20,180,400

$18,995,400

$1,185,000

$13,622,091

 

Total operating expense

$20,180,400

$18,995,400

$1,185,000

$13,622,091

 

Total including consolidation & other adjustments

$20,180,400

$18,995,400

$1,185,000

$13,622,091

 

Total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including Assets)

$20,180,400

$18,995,400

$1,185,000

$13,622,091

Ombudsman Ontario Program - vote 2301

The Ombudsman investigates complaints about the administration of Ontario's provincial governmental organizations, as well as municipalities, universities and school boards. The Ombudsman makes recommendations to improve public policy, programs and services. The Ombudsman investigates both individual and systemic complaints brought forward by members of the public, Members of Provincial Parliament, and on his own initiative. The Ombudsman also investigates citizens' complaints about closed municipal meetings pursuant to the Municipal Act, where no municipal investigator is in place. The Ombudsman's services are free of charge.

In December of 2014, The Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014 - known familiarly as "Bill 8" - passed. This legislation expanded the Ombudsman's jurisdiction to include the province's 82 school boards and school authorities (as of September 1, 2015), 444 municipalities and 21 publicly funded universities (as of January 1, 2016). During the 2017-18 fiscal year, the Office of the Ombudsman received 21,154 complaints.

In 2015-16, the Ombudsman received approval from the Board of Internal Economy for an additional 57 FTEs to support its new jurisdiction, for a total of 143 FTEs. Recruitment continues to fill these positions.

Vote summary

Item number

Item

Estimates
2018-19

Estimates
2017-18

Difference
Between
2018-19
and
2017-18

Actual
2016-17

 

Operating expense

 

 

 

 

1

The Ombudsman

$20,180,400

$18,995,400

$1,185,000

$13,622,091

 

Total operating expense to be voted

$20,180,400

$18,995,400

$1,185,000

$13,622,091

 

Total operating expense

$20,180,400

$18,995,400

$1,185,000

$13,622,091

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
Item
number

Standard account by item and sub-items

Amount

 

Operating expense

 

2301-1

The Ombudsman

 

 

Salaries and wages

$12,921,000

 

Employee benefits

$3,083,600

 

Transportation and communication

$821,100

 

Services

$2,710,300

 

Supplies and equipment

$1,723,300

 

Subtotal

$21,259,300

 

Less: Recoveries

$1,078,900

 

Total operating expense to be voted

$20,180,400

 

Total operating expense for Ombudsman Ontario Program

$20,180,400