On October 8, 2020, we celebrate Ombudsman Day! The day is a celebration of the important role played by Ombudsman Offices around the world. Not all Ombudsman Offices are the same, but we share a lot in common. Most exist to foster confidence in the services they oversee by exercising their responsibility to hold them accountable.
This Office was contacted by a youth residing at the Wood Street Centre Campus. The complainant alleged that several attempts were made to contact their Caseworker, but there was no response. An attempt was made to escalate the matter to the Caseworker Supervisor but was met with similar results.
The Annual Report of the Office of the Ombudsman for 2019-2020 reflects normal pre-pandemic operations, but also includes achievements and case examples, says Ombudsman William Smith.
While the Office of the Ombudsman remained open during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a limited number of in-person services were suspended in keeping with Public Health guidelines.
On June 12, 2019, while in the process of preparing this report, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal delivered a compelling decision concerning a question of jurisdiction and access to records involving this Office.
The Office of the Ombudsman was contacted by an individual who was the object of small claims court application. The complainant alleged that the notice received was handwritten and illegible. The complainant stated because of this, they did not know why they were being taken to court and could not file a related defence.
This Office was contacted by an individual who had a family member's two children placed in their care by the Department of Community Services as a Conditional Foster Parent. Within a month the complainant indicated they were struggling financially as a result of caring for their three children and their two foster children.
If you would like to file a complaint or contact a representative for this Office, you may reach us by:
The Office of the Ombudsman's Business Plan for fiscal 2020-21 is now available here
The Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman handled 2,278 complaints, inquiries, and youth contacts in the 2018-2019 fiscal year. In his Annual Report, tabled in the House of Assembly October 1, 2019, Mr. William A.