Search for Permanent Ombudsman to Begin

A review of the Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman concludes that the Ombudsman should remain independent. Michael Baker, Minister responsible for the Human Rights Act, made the announcement today.

The government requested the review of the Office of the Ombudsman in Dec. 2000, when it appointed an interim Ombudsman.

"We felt it was important to explore the possibilities of closer alignment of the two agencies," said Mr. Baker. "It is clear that the best approach is the status quo. We will begin the hiring process, and hope to have a permanent Ombudsman in place by summer."

The management consulting firm Grant Thornton was selected to explore the roles, responsibilities and structures of the Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman. They also examined additional agencies with similar mandates. However, no decisions have been made regarding those findings.