The Ombudsman investigates individual complaints and major systemic issues under the Ombudsman Act.
Read the selected cases below and use the filters to search by year and / or topic.
August 10, 2022
10 August 2022
Septic solution
A homeowner sought our help with servicing his septic tank – which was located on the property of a neighbour who would not allow access.
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August 10, 2022
10 August 2022
Debris debacle
A group of residents near a construction site complained that the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks was not acting on their complaints about debris.
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August 10, 2022
10 August 2022
Errant pass
A woman sought our help after she purchased an annual Ontario Parks pass by mistake – she had meant to buy a Parks Canada pass (for national parks) instead.
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June 28, 2021
28 June 2021
Un-fur treatment
A First Nations trapper sought our help in obtaining a refund from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for licences to sell furs commercially, and a mandatory humane trapping course.
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June 28, 2021
28 June 2021
Upstream battle
A homeowner complained to us about a pipe outlet on his property that was leaking foul-smelling fluid. His municipality referred him to the Ministry of Transportation, which denied responsibility.
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July 6, 2020
6 July 2020
Whose sewage
A trailer park owner contacted us when a dispute arose about responsibility for the municipal sewage system servicing the park.
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July 6, 2020
6 July 2020
After the fire
After firefighters used foam containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to put out a fire at her property, a woman complained to us about how long it was taking to ensure her water was safe to drink.
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June 25, 2019
25 June 2019
All’s well that ends well
After our staff assisted a Tesla owner in having his Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Incentive Program application approved, he returned to us for help in February 2019, after he received only half of his $14,000 rebate.
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June 25, 2019
25 June 2019
On the hook
A woman who runs a commercial fishing business complained that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry had not responded to her request for a refund of more than $31,000 she had overpaid in Crown lease fees over several years.
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June 26, 2018
26 June 2018
Month to month
A man sought our help with his local hydro company, which was sending him late notices and charging him interest on his quarterly water heater rental bill.
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June 26, 2018
26 June 2018
Connection made
A woman was trying without success to have hydro reconnected at a rental property and was concerned about a delay and lack of communication from the local hydro company.
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June 27, 2017
27 June 2017
Powerful gesture
A man was upset that it took the Ontario Electricity Support Program six months to process his application, even though its website says it should take 6-8 weeks.
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June 27, 2017
27 June 2017
Wires crossed
We received complaints from four residents in one building who each received catch-up bills from their municipal hydro company for $2,000-5,000.
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July 28, 2015
28 July 2015
Electrifying error
A woman was frustrated and confused by a dramatic increase in her electricity bills after her meter was changed in August 2013 – from $244 that July, to $403 in August, and up to $1,700 in January 2014.
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July 28, 2015
28 July 2015
Overbill overkill
A farmer was concerned about the high electricity bills he received for the first six months of 2014, even though his corn dryer – the machine on his farm using the highest amount of electricity – wasn’t in use. His bills were close to $9,000, including $843 in delivery charges on $112 worth of electricity.
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