What We Do
Manitoba Ombudsman receives complaints about provincial public bodies and services on unfair actions or decisions, access to information, privacy protection or serious wrongdoing. We resolve citizen concerns, do investigations, make recommendations and educate Manitobans and public bodies on legislated rights and responsibilities.
The ombudsman is independent, impartial and non-partisan, providing oversight to protect and promote citizens’ rights and improve fairness, transparency, and accountability in public services. Services are free and confidential.
Our role
The ombudsman performs an important role, providing oversight of government and public sector bodies in the interest of citizens and helping restore and maintain public trust and confidence in public systems. Manitoba Ombudsman is an independent office of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and is not part of any government department or agency. The work of Manitoba’s appointed ombudsman is supported by an office of staff who have delegated powers of the ombudsman.
Manitoba Ombudsman is distinct in Canada as an office with four different mandates outlined by four different pieces of legislation.
Manitoba Ombudsman’s mandates allow us to receive complaints and investigate:
- the fairness of public body decisions or actions under The Ombudsman Act
- access to information and correction/protection of personal information under The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
- access to and correction/protection of personal health information under The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA)
- serious wrongdoing through whistleblower disclosures or whistleblower related reprisal complaints under The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act (PIDA)
These acts enable the ombudsman office to:
- conduct audits, reviews, and investigations
- make and monitor recommendations
- educate the public
- comment on privacy and fairness implications of new initiatives
- report publicly
Our office also monitors and reports publicly on the implementation of inquest report recommendations made under the Fatality Inquiries Act, to determine if they were implemented, discontinued, or refused and why.
What we don’t do
Manitoba Ombudsman cannot investigate complaints about the federal government or private businesses, the courts, decisions of the courts, or members of the legislative assembly (elected politicians). We do not act as an advocate for complainants or represent government departments or professional organizations.