This is the fourth and last article in a series of articles Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Alberta Ombudsman produced to provide an update, four years into the Ombudsman’s office handling complaints involving municipalities. An Ombudsman investigation can be a learning opportunity for a municipality. The goal is not to lay blame,…
This is the third article in a series of articles Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Alberta Ombudsman produced to provide an update, four years into the Ombudsman’s office handling complaints involving municipalities. Complaints have value, and when channeled effectively, offer municipalities the opportunity to improve operations, standards, and service delivery. However, when…
This is the second in a series of articles Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Alberta Ombudsman have produced to provide an update, four years into the Ombudsman’s office handling complaints involving municipalities. Complaints are registered against even the most effectively run municipalities. When a complaint generates a call from the Ombudsman, many…
This is the first in a series of articles Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Alberta Ombudsman have produced to provide an update, four years into the Ombudsman’s office handling complaints involving municipalities. When the Ombudsman’s office first received and investigated municipality-related complaints, each case mapped out new ground. For the last four…
Marianne Ryan, Alberta’s Ombudsman took the unusual step of publicly commenting on a complaint received involving Alberta Health Services. The city of Red Deer, along with the municipalities of Calgary, Lethbridge and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo filed a complaint to the Ombudsman regarding Alberta Health Services’ consolidation of ambulance emergency dispatch services. The…
Should municipal administrators invite their citizens to complain to the Ombudsman? An Ombudsman investigation should be seen as an opportunity by a municipality. The goal is not to lay blame, but to fix problems and help the municipality avoid future complaints by improving its processes. Here are five reasons for supporting the Ombudsman investigation: Mistakes…
EDMONTON – The Alberta Ombudsman releases a series of case examples highlighting the benefits of a collaborative approach to resolving complaints about municipalities. In April 2018, the role of the Alberta Ombudsman expanded to include municipalities. Municipalities serve as local government and are responsible for providing services, facilities, safety and infrastructure for their communities. In…
This is the last article in a series AUMA and the Alberta Ombudsman produced to provide information on the relationship between the Ombudsman and Municipalities. To read the full series visit our News page or AUMA’s MGA Change Management page. Our office works to promote fair decisions and fair decision-making processes in the administration of…
This is the third in a series of articles AUMA and the Alberta Ombudsman are producing to provide information on the relationship between the Ombudsman and Municipalities. To read the full series, follow us here or visit AUMA’s MGA Change Management page. The Alberta Ombudsman is contacted by citizens who feel something is not fair…
This is the second in a series of articles AUMA and the Alberta Ombudsman are producing to provide information on the relationship between the Ombudsman and Municipalities. To read the full series, follow us here or visit AUMA’s MGA Change Management page. In 2017-18, the Alberta Ombudsman received over 4,600 inquiries and written complaints…