Ombudsman Ontario

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Information for the public Information for public bodies and officials

covers of the A Decade of Promoting Fairness

A Decade of Promoting Fairness: Expanding Access, Impact and Value

On March 24, Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé published a special report summarizing his 10 years in office, a period of historic growth in public sector oversight.

“My hope is that Ontarians come to see their Ombudsman as more than useful or helpful, but as truly indispensable,” he writes.

Read the report

Ombudsman releases Indigenous Services Plan

Our Indigenous Services Plan, co-developed through engagement with Indigenous leaders, groups and individuals across Ontario, aims to increase awareness of our services and ensure they are accessible, relevant and meaningful to Indigenous Peoples.

Read the Indigenous Services Plan

Help for...

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Indigenous people

We help everyone with concerns about Ontario public services. If you are Indigenous, we will make sure your rights and cultural safety are respected.

A multi-generational family sitting on a couch

Children, youth and families

We help young people and their families get fair treatment from public services. We make sure children and teens know their rights and their voices are heard.

French speakers

Everyone has the right to receive services in French from the government of Ontario. We can help you in French with any concern you have about a government or public service.

Our work

See more of our work

Lost in Transition

Investigation into whether the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Health are taking adequate steps to address the inappropriate hospitalization of adults with developmental disabilities

Missed Messages

Investigation into unilingual out-of-home government advertising regarding health services between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023.

Rights Unrecognized: Mia’s Story

Investigation into the adequacy of services provided by York Region Children’s Aid Society to “Mia”

What we can help you with

Certificates and permits

Issues with birth, death or marriage certificates, driver’s licences and other identification documents, provincial and municipal permits, and more.

Children and youth

Issues with children’s services like children’s aid societies and Indigenous child and family well-being agencies, foster homes or group homes, special needs supports, youth justice, and more.

Education

Issues related to daycare, early childhood education, public school (K-12), colleges and universities, as well as adult learning, post-secondary grants and loans, and more.

Employment

Issues with workplace injury compensation, Employment Standards Act claims or appeals, apprenticeship programs, and more.

Energy and environment

Issues related to municipal hydro, natural resources, parks, environmental assessments, Indigenous hunting and fishing rights, land use planning, wildlife protection, and more.

French language services

Issues with obtaining provincial government services and information in French.

Health

Issues with OHIP coverage, funding for drugs and assistive devices, inspections of long-term care homes and ambulance services, and more.

Law and order

Issues like police oversight and training, provincial correctional facilities, youth justice centres, tribunals and court services, and more.

Money and property

Issues related to lotteries, property assessments, liquor and cannabis sales, provincial tax rebates for First Nations or other groups, and more.

Municipalities

Issues with local government services, councils and committees, by-law enforcement, infrastructure, garbage and snow removal, and more.

Social services

Issues with family and spousal support payments, Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program, special needs programs and funding for adults and children, and more.

Transportation

Issues with driver’s licences, driver testing, public transit, vehicle registration, roads and highways, and more.

News

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March 25, 2026

Departing ombudsman stresses need for ’urgent reform' in province's correctional system (The Trillium)

Paul Dubé will retire next week after serving as the province's ombudsman for a decade

March 24, 2026

Ontario Ombudsman’s final act: A new Indigenous plan to confront systemic failures (Ricochet)

A new plan aims to overhaul how the province responds to complaints from First Nations, giving communities a stronger voice, as crises persist from long-term boil-water advisories to overcrowded jails