Ombudsman Work Citizen-Centered
The 2023 annual reports for Saskatchewan’s Ombudsman and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner, Sharon Pratchler, were tabled in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly today.
In the Ombudsman report, Pratchler says the office takes a citizen-centered approach to requests for assistance. “Citizens value timely resolutions, so we rely on non-adversarial methods like collaboration, education and coaching to resolve files at an early stage.”
In 2023, the office received 3,660 requests for assistance. Pratchler said: “Although we have a high volume of inquiries, we continue to deliver a timely service. Of the total files closed in 2023, 96% were resolved within 90 days, while 99% were resolved within 180 days.”
She says two principles guide her team when they receive requests from citizens: “Be curious, not judgmental” and “I see you. I hear you. What you say matters.”
Pratchler says these principles are also important for public servants. “Our common goal is continuous improvement of the delivery of programs and services. We find that when we reach out to the public entities within our jurisdiction, they are very responsive and open to working with our office.”
Last year, the Ombudsman’s office provided several training opportunities for public servants. It revived its Fundamentals of Fairness course, starting with staff at the Ministry of Social Services. In addition, 500 employees from across the provincial government registered for a new webinar series, titled the Essential Toolbox for Decision Makers. The office also offered public servants a one-day Trauma Informed Practices session.
The office also continued to receive requests for assistance from public sector employees under The Public Interest Disclosure Act. Reports are available at www.ombudsman.sk.ca/resources/annual-reports/. The Ombudsman and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner is a Legislative Officer operating under The Ombudsman Act, 2012 and The Public Interest Disclosure Act.
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Media Contact: Leila Dueck, Director of Communications
Phone: 306-787-7369
Email: ldueck@ombudsman.sk.ca