Jan 21, 2011

Manitoba Ombudsman Irene Hamilton released an updated report on the Employment and Income Assistance Program of Family Services and Consumer Affairs that includes the department's responses to the 68 recommendations made in her initial report released in May 2010. The investigation was undertaken in response to a complaint from twelve community organizations, many of whom have clients who are participants in the EIA program.

"I am pleased that the department has agreed to implement the majority of my recommendations," Hamilton said. "The Employment and Income Assistance Program is an important program for Manitobans who cannot meet the costs of basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. I believe that implementation of my recommendations will improve both fairness and administrative efficiency of the program, and assist in aligning the program with the province's overall goal of poverty reduction."

The department continues to consider some of the recommendations, and in a few cases, disagrees with the recommendations. In these cases, the Ombudsman's comments have been included beneath the departmental response within the report.