Ombudsman’s Office To Visit Melfort On Thursday, October 26
On Thursday, October 26, staff from Ombudsman Saskatchewan will be in Melfort to take complaints in person, provide information to the public, and conduct a workshop for public servants. Ombudsman Mary McFadyen said, “It’s important for provincial, municipal and health services to treat people fairly – and to know that there is an independent Office to go to if they are having trouble resolving a problem.”
The Office takes complaints about the administrative decisions and actions of a wide range of organizations, including provincial government ministries and agencies, Crown corporations, and most publicly-funded health entities. On November 19, 2015, the Office began taking complaints about Saskatchewan’s municipalities and municipal council members. Since then, they have received almost 1,000 municipal complaints, which now account for about 15% of complaints received.
People who would like to make a complaint in person will be able to sit down with an Ombudsman staff person at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 30, 101 MacLeod Avenue East. They are invited to book an appointment time by calling 1-800-667-9787. Walk-ins are also welcome between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and will be fit into the schedule where possible.
There will be a public presentation at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 30 at noon. It will cover topics such as: “What kinds of complaints can the Ombudsman’s Office take?” and “What happens to my complaint once I take it to the Ombudsman?” Everyone is welcome.
In addition to these events for the public, some of the Ombudsman’s staff will conduct a workshop for public servants called “The Fine Art of Fairness.” The workshop discusses the role of the Ombudsman and how to make and communicate fair decisions.
The Ombudsman operates under The Ombudsman Act and is an officer of the Legislative Assembly. Her Office promotes and protects fairness and integrity in the design and delivery of government services. When possible, the Ombudsman’s staff try to resolve complaints using non-adversarial approaches such as facilitated communications, negotiation, mediation, conciliation and coaching. If that is not successful, and if appropriate, the Office will conduct an investigation into the complaint. At the completion of an investigation, when appropriate, the Ombudsman can make recommendations that government take corrective action to address and resolve the complaint. More information about Ombudsman Saskatchewan is available at www.ombudsman.sk.ca.
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Media Contact
Leila Dueck
Director of Communications
Phone: 306-787-7369
E-mail: ldueck@ombudsman.sk.ca