Young People And Seniors Benefit From Changes To Jurisdiction

All Nova Scotians, including young people and seniors, have somewhere to turn if they are concerned about the care and attention they receive from provincial or municipal governments, thanks to changes to the Nova Scotia Ombudsman Act.

School boards, child welfare agencies, licensed child-care facilities, nursing homes, residential care facilities for seniors, hospitals and community colleges now all clearly fall under the jurisdiction of the Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman.

The office can investigate concerns from youth and seniors about decisions and actions of provincial and municipal agencies involved in providing child and senior services.

The act was amended in May 2004 and the new regulations approved by cabinet in December 2004.

In April 2005, the office added services and hired new staff to ensure effective and accessible support is available to youth and seniors in Nova Scotia.

Youth services (previously known as the Children's Section) offers children and youth in child custody and child protection agencies the assurance of an independent process to resolve complaints.

Senior services is a new outreach program, which will offer advice and assistance to seniors who feel they have a complaint against a government agency. Staff will visit facilities, explain the role of the Ombudsman's office and be available to discuss concerns.

Anyone who believes they may have a complaint against a provincial or municipal government agency can make inquires to the Office of the Ombudsman. All inquires are confidential and not subject to freedom of information requests.

The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent agency with a mission to promote the principles of fairness, integrity and good governance. Their services are provided free of charge.

The Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman is hosting the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman May 29-31, in Halifax. The meeting is an opportunity for ombudsman from across the country to discuss ways to improve public accountability and how to improve the delivery of government services.

Topics will include trust and ethics, disclosure of wrongdoing and the need for a federal ombudsman.

For more information on the role and responsibilities of the Office of the Ombudsman, see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/ombu .