Ombudsman's 2006-07 Report Shows Increased Awareness

The 2006-07 annual report for the Ombudsman's Office shows that the number of people accessing the office has increased.

The increase can be attributed, in part, to a greater awareness about the office's services and its focus on youth, seniors and corrections.

"In our 35th year serving Nova Scotians, we received 20 per cent more complaints that fit within our mandate thanks to our pro-active approach to ensure Nova Scotians know how we can help them," said Dwight Bishop, Nova Scotia Ombudsman. "We continued to work collaboratively with government and resolved the majority of complaints."

The office held 489 sessions in communities, correctional facilities, youth care centres and other venues. It provided input into numerous government initiatives, including the Public Service Commission's materials to educate employees about the Civil Service Disclosure of Wrongdoing Regulations.

The office handled its first complaints under the regulations since they came into effect in 2004. Of the 18 complaints, two were investigated under the regulations. Another three were not within the mandate of the regulations, but were investigated under the Ombudsman Act.

Mr. Bishop said he is pleased that a number of departments requested the office's input on policy development and complaint-processing methods.

"The response to our office and recommendations has generally been good, although there is still room for improvement within some government bodies," said Mr. Bishop. "There is also room for improvement in how government deals with complaints it receives directly from the public."

The office addressed 1,835 complaints, inquiries, investigations and reviews in 2006-07.

The complete annual report is available on the Office of the Ombudsman website at www.gov.ns.ca/ombu .