Manitoba Ombudsman

An investigation report may be made public because the Ombudsman feels the report is of public interest, or when required by law such as when recommendations are made in an investigation under FIPPA or PHIA.

Manitoba Ombudsman completes many investigations each year and only a portion of those are made public.

Reports Manitoba Ombudsman receives thousands of complaints and opens hundreds of investigations under our four mandates each year. Investigation reports are only published publicly if the Ombudsman feels the...

You can find our published investigations on our reports page. On the reports page you can use search filters to find reports about specific public bodies, issues or laws. www.ombudsman.mb.ca/reports-and-...

Le 9 octobre est la Journée des ombudsmans au Canada ! Les ombudsmans offrent aux citoyens un moyen gratuit, confidentiel, neutre et informel d’exprimer leurs préoccupations concernant le gouvernement et les services publics.

October 9 is Ombuds Day in Canada! Ombuds provide citizens with a free, confidential, neutral and informal way to voice concerns about government and public services. Learn more about the role of the Ombudsman:
www.ombudsman.mb.ca/ombuds-day/

Right to Know Week Citizens deserve to feel informed about their government and public services.

Citizens deserve to feel informed about their government and public services. Knowing more helps you better understand issues and participate in the democratic process. Read more about your rights and public body responsibilities for access to information: www.ombudsman.mb.ca/right-to-kno...

Right to Know Day and Right to Know Week is a time to recognize that access to information is a key component of transparency, fairness and trust. #RTK2025

Another question investigators explored was, "Did TikTok get meaningful consent?"

We made three recommendations. Read the summary and full report: www.ombudsman.mb.ca/report/inves...

We found the information in question was disclosed despite being discussed in a closed meeting, and that there was no evidence that council had decided to make the information public or had discussed the information in a public meeting.

A complaint was made to our office that the Reeve of the RM of Cornwallis disclosed closed meeting confidential information to third parties.

What You Can Complain About You can complain if you feel you were treated unfairly through the decisions and actions of a public body listed below. You believe you didn’t receive a fair process, decision, or service or the…

De quoi pouvez-vous vous plaindre auprès de l'ombudsman du Manitoba ? Consultez notre site web pour connaître les problèmes et les organismes publics dont vous pouvez vous plaindre.
www.ombudsman.mb.ca/.../what-you...

Blue background - photo of tablet and phone screens showing What you can Complain About web page. Text on the graphic says: What can you complain about? Learn which issues and public bodies you can complaint about.

What can you complain about to the Ombudsman? Visit our website to learn which issues and public bodies you can complain about.
www.ombudsman.mb.ca/.../what-you...

Blue background with "Same role, new look" and "our new website is now live" in white text with images of the old and new websites on mobile phones.

Our new website is more accessible and user-friendly. The site includes easier navigation to make complaints or find resources, information and reports. Visit the website at www.ombudsman.mb.ca.

BUREAU DE THOMPSON FERMETURE TEMPORAIRE : Notre bureau de Thompson, situé dans le centre commercial City Centre, sera fermé du 25 au 31 août en raison d'une rupture de conduite d'eau à proximité. Veuillez composer le 1-800-669-0531 pour nous joindre.

Blue background with white text that is the same as the post in English

THOMPSON OFFICE TEMPORARY CLOSURE: Our Thompson office located in City Centre Mall will be closed August 25 until August 31 due to a nearby water main break affecting the mall. Please call 1-800-665-0531 to reach our office.

We found there were matters of unfairness in the short notice of the meeting, lack of agenda and lack of communication relating to the decision proposed and made. Read the summary and full report: www.ombudsman.mb.ca/report/inves...

A complaint was made that the Souris-Glenwood Airport Commission chairperson gave insufficient notice of a meeting, during which an impactful decision was made with only four commission members present.

Our Brandon office is located at 202-1011 Rosser Avenue. We also have locations in Winnipeg (300 - 5 Donald Street) and Thompson (Suite 1720, City Centre Mall, 300 Mystery Lake Road). You can also call our toll-free line at 1-800-665-0531.

During its first year open, the office delt with complaints relating to crop insurance, water rights, drainage, automobile insurance claims, social assistance, maintenance enforcement, concerns from correctional facilities and more. In total, there were 226 complaints handled in 1998!

Did you know about our office location in Brandon? In fact, this week marked 27 years since it first opened on June 5, 1998!

Branded booth with public materials and two staff ready to hand out items

We are at the Vision Quest trade show again on Thursday. It’s open to the public so stop by to chat about the role of the Ombudsman, legislated rights and responsibilities and what’s involved in making a complaint. The show runs 8:30 - 4:00 at the convention centre.

We have issued joint resolutions, alongside federal, provincial and territorial privacy and access to information regulators, calling for modernized legislation, strong access to information systems and a culture of transparency in public bodies. We also offer guidelines and tools for public bodies.

➡️Is all the necessary information being recorded and managed so it can be found when needed?

➡️Is there a policy and process for information management and is it being consistently followed? Does it need to be improved?
➡️Are all necessary safeguards, whether physical or digital, in place to protect the personal information of Manitobans?

It’s important for public bodies to invest in information management systems, programs and resources that also include training staff to understand their roles and responsibilities in records and information management.

Strong practices can help public bodies respond to citizen requests for information, have good documentation of decisions and actions, and closely manage privacy protection.

April is Records and Information Management Month! How information is recorded and managed by Manitoba public bodies can have an impact on privacy protection and responding to requests for information.

We have guidance tools available that may help municipal administrations strengthen practices and potentially avoid complaints/investigations. Stop by or reach out if you have questions, want a consultation or would like to request training/education from our office.

We are at the Association of Manitoba Municipalities' spring convention tradeshow today and tomorrow morning. We're available to answer questions about the types of municipal complaints we receive and talk about the role of our office.