Who Can the Ombudsperson Investigate?
The Ombudsperson has jurisdiction over a wide range of public agencies, including:
- provincial government ministries, including complaints regarding income assistance and the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program
- crown corporations such as ICBC and BC Hydro
- government boards such as WCB and the BC Human Rights Tribunal
- hospitals, regional and local health agencies, and health-related government agencies such as Medical Services Plan and Pharmacare
- schools and school districts
- universities and colleges
- municipal and regional governments
- self-regulating professions such as the Law Society, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia
The schedule to the Ombudsperson Act contains a complete list of authorities.
Who Can the Ombudsperson Not Investigate?
The Ombudsperson does not have jurisdiction to investigate certain complaints. Some examples are listed below:
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- banks
- consumer inquiries
- courts
- doctors
- employment issues involving private companies
- federal programs
- home and property insurance
- landlord and tenant (residential) inquiries
- lawyers
- municipal police
- private life and health insurance
- private schools
- RCMP
We
- respond to inquiries from the public
- provide information, advice and assistance on issues of administrative fairness
- conduct thorough, impartial and independent investigations of complaints
- look for fair resolutions and make recommendations to improve administrative practices
- independently initiate investigations of apparent administrative unfairness
- provide reports to the Legislative Assembly and to the people of British Columbia about the work of the office and remedying unfair administrative practices
- generally oversee the administrative actions of public agencies to enhance transparency and accountability