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Protecting your rights for 50 years

It was 50 years ago, in March 1975, when Ontarians first learned they would soon have an Ombudsman to protect their right to fair treatment by public bodies.

On March 11, 1975, in a Speech from the Throne read by Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon, the government promised to establish a “provincial ombudsman… to ensure the protection of our citizens against arbitrary judgment or practices.”

Read the latest Message from the Ombudsman
Information for the public Information for public bodies and officials

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.

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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.

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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.

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Our work

See more of our work

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”

Lessons for the Long Term

Investigation into the Ministry of Long-Term Care’s oversight of long-term care homes through inspection and enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic

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

View all news
June 18, 2025

Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman Endorses Key Principles to Strengthen Oversight and Public Trust

The Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO) has formally endorsed a set of key principles designed to ensure the independence, effectiveness, and accountability of Ombudsman institutions...
June 9, 2025

Ombudsman to investigate Ontario’s response to incident at Maplehurst Correctional Complex

Paul Dubé: Significant concerns raised about accountability and inmates’ rights
May 30, 2025

Newsletter - New to Ontario? We can help