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.

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, or online complaint form. 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
2020-21

Estimates
2019-20

Difference
between
2020-21
and
2019-20

Actual
2018-19

 

Operating expense

 

 

 

 

2301

Ombudsman Ontario Program

$30,468,600

$32,644,800

($2,176,200)

$15,300,041

 

Total operating expense to be voted

$30,468,600

$32,644,800

($2,176,200)

$15,300,041

 

Total operating expense

$30,468,600

$32,644,800

($2,176,200)

$15,300,041

 

Total including consolidation & other adjustments

$30,468,600

$32,644,800

($2,176,200)

$15,300,041

 

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

$30,468,600

$32,644,800

($2,176,200)

$15,300,041

Ombudsman Ontario Program - vote 2301

The Ombudsman is an officer of the Legislature whose mandate is set out in the Ombudsman Act. The Ombudsman promotes fairness, accountability and transparency in the public sector by investigating complaints and systemic issues within his jurisdiction, and making recommendations to improve the administration of public policy, programs and services.

As of May 1, 2019, the Ombudsman’s mandate was expanded to include complaints related to children and youth in care (children’s aid societies, group and foster homes), as well as French language services. This is the result of legislation passed in December 2018 that transferred the responsibilities of the formerly independent French Language Services Commissioner (FLSC) to the Ombudsman, as well as the investigative function of the formerly independent Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth (PACY).

During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the Office of the Ombudsman received 26,423 complaints. The Office’s staff complement in 2019-2020 was 186 FTEs.

Vote summary

Item number Item

Estimates
2020-21

Estimates
2019-20

Difference
between
2020-21
and
2019-20

Actual
2018-19

 

Operating expense

 

 

 

 

1

The Ombudsman

$30,468,600

$32,644,800

($2,176,200)

$15,300,041

 

Total operating expense to be voted

$30,468,600

$32,644,800

($2,176,200)

$15,300,041

 

Total operating expense

$30,468,600

$32,644,800

($2,176,200)

$15,300,041

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

$18,039,000

 

Employee benefits

$4,311,900

 

Transportation and communication

$1,520,500

 

Services

$5,766,800

 

Supplies and equipment

$830,400

 

Total operating expense to be voted

$30,468,600

 

Total operating expense for Ombudsman Ontario Program

$30,468,600