Case Summaries
While our investigations of complaints are conducted confidentially, every year we select a number of cases to publish in our annual report. These case summaries (with names changed or abbreviated to protect confidentiality) are meant to show the variety of work the Ombudsperson’s office does, and the kinds of resolutions we can often achieve.
Below you will find examples of some of the work we've done with and for youth.
School principal apologizes for ignoring parent’s concerns
School District 61
We were contacted by Ms. K who complained that a high school principal acted inappropriately by not returning her phone calls regarding her daughter and concerns about racism. She told us that the principal only returned her phone calls after she decided to file a formal complaint with the Superintendent’s Office....more
Ombudsman investigation leads to improvements to food distribution in provincial youth custody centres
2005
During our visit to Prince George Youth Custody Centre, youth complained to Ombudsman Officers about the quantity of food at the centre and about the process followed for distributing extra food at mealtime. Our investigation of these complaints led to improvements to food distribution in all three provincial youth custody centres....more
Funding reinstated for orthodontics for foster child
Ministry of Children and Family Development
Ms M explained she was foster parenting a 15-year-old boy whose orthodontist recommended treatment. She said the orthodontist submitted a request to the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s Medical Benefits Program for funding of this treatment. However, the request was denied on the basis that it did not meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria. The boy’s social worker contacted the program for a more detailed response but no further information was provided. Ms M believed the ministry acted unfairly by not providing adequate reasons to support its decision....more
Ombudsman Includes Dignity and Respect Criteria in its Investigations of Public Agency’s Decisions and Actions
Ministry of Children and Family Development
The Ombudsman initiated an investigation into the establishment of a “special unit” at a youth custody centre where youth were placed in the “special unit” when their behaviour was deemed unmanageable. The special unit was created to allow the resident sufficient time away from other influences to regain composure. The Ombudsman was concerned that the special unit was being used to punish residents rather than to provide for “time out.”...more
School district develops policies to address student substance abuse
School District
This investigation began with a complaint from a student about the way in which school district staff responded to suspicions that the student had engaged in drug use.
In the course of conducting the investigation, the Ombudsman became aware that the school district in question lacked an adequate policy to guide district staff when students were suspected of substance abuse, either during school functions or on school premises....more
Fighting for an Education
Ministry of Human Resources
Ms. J, an eighteen-year-old youth on income assistance, was enrolled in a high school diploma program. She paid the school fee out of her Income Assistance benefits, not realizing that the Ministry of Human Resources would cover the cost....more
A Motherhood Issue
Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security
Ms. N. was a youth in care by voluntary agreement which was soon to expire. She and her two-year-old daughter had returned home to live with Ms. N.’s mother. The Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security agreed to provide the grandmother with additional income assistance to support Ms. N. but was making no provision for the baby. The ministry had told Ms. N. that it could not provide support for the child unless she was a dependent of the grandmother. They told Ms. N. that she would have to give up custody of her baby to her mother....more
Even Citizens Under Age 19 Have the Right to Appeal
Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security
Income Assistance recipients under age 19 are not always treated in the same way as adult clients of the Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security (MSDES). Although clients under age 19 have the same rights as adult clients, we occasionally find that young people are not advised of those rights, or that benefits to which they may be entitled are withheld. In one recent case, we found that the client was not informed of her right to appeal a decision....more
Switching Residency between Parents in Different Regions Causes Turmoil
Ministry for Children and Families
Sixteen year-old Mr. P was concerned that the Ministry for Children and Families had not taken his views and needs into consideration when insisting he return home to live with his father. A short stay with his mother in a different region of the province had come to an end and he was staying with a friend’s family....more
Awareness of Funding Came Late
Ministry assists young woman by providing funding
Ms. J contacted us with a complaint that she had not received appropriate information from the Ministry for Children and Families about funding for post-secondary education. As a minor, she had been in the care of the Ministry, and recently learned that she was entitled to assistance with the cost of post-secondary education....more