General information
Ombudsman’s role:
The Ombudsman is an independent and impartial Officer of the Ontario Legislature who resolves and investigates public complaints about the administrative conduct of public sector bodies within his jurisdiction, and recommends solutions to individual and systemic problems.
Complaint handling:
When you make a complaint to our Office, it will be dealt with by the Ombudsman’s staff, not the Ombudsman directly. The Ombudsman has delegated authority to staff, under the Ombudsman Act, to review and investigate complaints. This includes determining whether or not to proceed with a complaint and referring complainants elsewhere for help with their concerns.
What you can expect from us
Procedural fairness:
The Ombudsman and staff are committed to procedural fairness in all of our work. This includes explaining our processes and the reasons for our actions and decisions.
Professional behaviour:
We strive to communicate in a clear, professional, respectful, courteous and timely manner with all stakeholders, including members of the public and the public sector bodies we oversee.
Accessibility:
The Ombudsman is committed to providing accessible services to persons with disabilities, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and our Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy.
Respectful communication and behaviour Policy Statement
What we expect from you:
We are committed to communicating with you in a courteous and respectful manner, and we expect the same in return.
Unacceptable behaviour:
We understand that when you contact us, you may be dealing with frustrating or stressful circumstances and emotional issues. However, we will not tolerate behaviour that is harassing, abusive, intimidating, discriminatory or threatening. The Ombudsman’s Office will take appropriate action where necessary to protect the safety and well-being of staff.
Engaging in any of these behaviours may result in the loss of or restriction of service.
Examples of unacceptable behaviours include:
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Harassment, bullying, verbal abuse, making threats, shouting and yelling, or seeking to intimidate staff
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Making excessive, unreasonable or aggressive demands, submissions, or enquiries
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Sexual harassment
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Using profanity and/or obscene language
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Causing unsafe and/or unsanitary conditions
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Refusing to leave the Ombudsman’s Office when requested
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Making discriminatory comments, including racial, gender, or ethnic slurs
Service and communication restrictions:
We reserve the right to restrict service and communication if you harass, abuse, intimidate, discriminate against or threaten our staff. Examples of how we might restrict your service include restricting you from visiting or calling our Office and requiring you to communicate with us in writing only. Service restrictions seek to balance our commitment to serving you fairly and with respect against our duty to protect staff from abuse or harm.
Social media:
We observe similar principles of respectful communication in our use of social media and interactions with users and followers. See our Social Media Engagement Policy.
Feedback and complaints about our service
Feedback:
We welcome constructive feedback about the service provided by our Office, and make improvements accordingly, wherever appropriate.
Complaints:
We ask that you make any complaints about our service in writing, and outline your specific concerns. Please send your written comments or complaints about our service to us by email, mail or fax:
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Email: info@ombudsman.on.ca
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Mail: Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario, 483 Bay Street, 10th Floor, South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C9
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Fax: 416-586-3485
Response:
If you make a written complaint about our service, a member of our management team will respond in writing, where warranted. We reserve the right not to respond to complaints that contain abusive, discriminatory or threatening language directed at our staff.