Apr 27, 2015

After three years and four months as acting Manitoba Ombudsman, Mel Holley has announced his retirement.

Appointed as acting ombudsman on January 4, 2012 after the departure of former ombudsman Irene Hamilton, Mel led the office through a period of significant change. Mel oversaw changes to our intake system, our organizational practice standards, our use of technology to communicate with and report to the public, and to our hiring practices through a significant period of staff rejuvenation. Mel guided the office’s transition toward being more open, transparent and accountable.

“More than ever I believe what we do is an essential service. A strong ombudsman office is good for the public, good for the government, and good for democracy,” said Holley. “Everyone in the office plays a vital role in ensuring that government programs and policies are administered in the best way possible, and that will continue under the leadership of a new ombudsman.”

Mel remains acting ombudsman until such time as a new ombudsman is appointed. He will retire after 32 years of public service, 17 of them with Manitoba Ombudsman.