While our investigations of complaints are conducted confidentially, every year we select a number of cases for publication in our annual report. These case summaries (with names changed or abbreviated to protect confidentiality) are meant to illustrate the variety of work the Ombudsperson’s office does, and the kinds of resolutions we can often achieve.
Below you will find a selection of those summaries, taken from our past annual reports.
Education
Public consultation for proposed school closures
School District 63
While school boards have the authority to close schools, they are also required by the School Act to consult with the public on any proposed closures. This office chose to investigate the public consultation process for school closures to find out if the process was fair and effective in providing the public with an opportunity to express their views and if the process allowed for their views to be properly considered when it came time to make a decision regarding a school closure.... more
Balance of debt extinguished due to error and omissions
Ministry of Small Business and Revenue
Ms. T contacted our office with a complaint regarding the repayment of her student loan debt. She believed that she had an agreement with Revenue Services of British Columbia (RSBC) and the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue for a final settlement of her debt....more
Student told to repay educational grant
Ministry of Advanced Education
Ms. H contacted our office with a complaint concerning the Student Services Branch of the Ministry of Advanced Education. She told us she had received a letter from the Branch advising her that she had to repay a grant she had received approximately a year earlier....more
Student elections at University College prompt complaints
Kwantlen University College
Occasionally, authorities notice that their practices do not match with their policies and take action to bring the two into line with another.
A candidate in a student election complained that Kwantlen University College (the University College) did not follow its appeals policy when he raised concerns about irregularities in the elections to the University College’s Board of Governors....more
Stalled student loan relating to incident years ago
Ministry of Advanced Education
We investigated one man’s complaint that Student Services Branch denied his student loan because he had withdrawn from school in 1998, resulting in him receiving an over award....
Staff required to provide contact information for supervisor
Ministry of Advanced Education
We received a complaint from a woman who was unhappy with how she was being treated by Student Services staff conducting an audit on her student loan application....more