“In our experience, a genuine commitment to improving administrative fairness consistently leads to better services for Albertans. When authorities are receptive to suggestions and committed to enhancing their processes, everyone benefits.
Our goal is not just to resolve issues but to foster a culture of fairness and trust in public services,”
Kevin Brezinski
Alberta Ombudsman
IN 2023-24, THE OFFICE HANDLED 5,150 CASES, AN INCREASE OF 9% TO PRIOR YEAR.
OF THE JURISDICTIONAL WRITTEN COMPLAINTS RECEIVED:
95% OF WRITTEN COMPLAINTS WERE CLOSED WITHIN 3 MONTHS.
In October 2023, the Ombudsman released a public report into the Alberta Criminal Code Review Board (CCRB). It began when the office received a complaint about the CCRB from an individual in Alberta Hospital Edmonton.
Following this complaint, the Alberta Ombudsman launched an own motion investigation to look deeper into whether the CCRB had sufficient rules, policies, and procedures in place to ensure administratively fair hearings and decisions. Although the investigation resulted in a recommendation to improve public communication, the Ombudsman was able to confirm the CCRB’s commitment to providing a high level of service and a fair decision-making process.
The Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program is a benefit program to help adults with disabilities plan, coordinate, and access services so they may live as independently as possible in their communities. In this public report, the Alberta Ombudsman found systemic issues in how the PDD program assesses intellectual capacity. The investigation, initiated by a complaint from a mother advocating for her son, sheds light on legislative flaws in the program’s eligibility criteria and decision-making process.
The Ombudsman recommended the PDD program reconsider its decision to deny the young man benefits, and work towards amending the Regulation to align with current psychological standards for assessing intellectual capacity.
