Frequently Asked Questions

• What is an Ombudsman?
• What does the New Brunswick Ombudsman do?
• How can the New Brunswick Ombudsman help?
• How does the Ombudsman make his decision?
• What can the Ombudsman investigate?
• What can't the Ombudsman investigate?
• Who can complain?
• Will it cost me any money to use the service?
• How do I complain to the Ombudsman?

WHAT IS AN OMBUDSMAN?

• The Ombudsman is an officer of the Legislative Assembly and is independent of government.
• The Ombudsman is neither an advocate for members of the public nor a defender of the government bureaucracy. Rather, the Ombudsman is committed to ensuring fairness in public administration by working impartially with both.

WHAT DOES THE NEW BRUNSWICK OMBUDSMAN DO?

• The Ombudsman has the authority to investigate complaints received from members of the public who believe that the government administration has dealt with them unfairly after they have exhausted all avenues of review and appeal.
• The Ombudsman can investigate complaints about how NB Government departments, agencies, commissions and boards do business by reviewing their actions, decisions, practices and procedures.

HOW CAN THE NEW BRUNSWICK OMBUDSMAN HELP?

The Ombudsman can:

ADVISE

• Advise you of what steps to take with the government department or agency if there is an appeal or review process available.

INVESTIGATE

• The Ombudsman "investigates" complaints. This means the Ombudsman asks questions about what happened and why it happened.

REVIEW

• The Ombudsman looks at the legislation and policies of the government department to see if they are being followed and if they are fair.

LOOK AT

• The Ombudsman looks at the government's decision and actions to see if they are fair, reasonable and legal.

RECOMMEND

• The Ombudsman can recommend the government make changes or solve a problem but cannot order them to do this.

HOW DOES THE OMBUDSMAN MAKE HIS DECISION?

• The Ombudsman looks at all the information compiled by the investigator and makes a decision on your complaint.
• The Ombudsman will tell you and the government department or agency what the decision is on your complaint.

• If your complaint is not supported by the information obtained, the Ombudsman will tell you and the government department or agency the reasons why.
• If your complaint is supported, the Ombudsman may recommend or suggest to the government department or agency a way to solve the problem.

WHAT CAN THE OMBUDSMAN INVESTIGATE?

The Ombudsman can investigate:

• Government departments
• Municipalities
• School Districts
• District Education Councils
• Regional health authorities
• Crown agencies
• Agencies responsible to the Province
• Including some commissions and boards as identified under the Ombudsman Act.

WHAT CAN'T THE OMBUDSMAN INVESTIGATE?

The Ombudsman cannot investigate:

• Court decisions, including actions of judges and lawyers acting on behalf of the government
• Private companies or individuals
• The Federal Government
• Doctors or Lawyers
• Police
• Unions
• Surveyors or Real Estate Agents

WHO CAN COMPLAIN?

Any person or group who feels that they have been unfairly treated by a NB Government department or agency and have exhausted all available appeal processes can seek help from the Ombudsman.

WILL IT COST ME ANY MONEY TO USE THE SERVICE?

The service of the Ombudsman is free.

HOW DO I COMPLAIN TO THE OMBUDSMAN?

A complaint can be made to the Ombudsman in writing, by fax, over the phone, via email, or in person. If you wish to make your complaint in person, we recommend you call first to ensure someone is in to Office to help you.

Write	Office of the Ombudsman P. O. Box 6000 548 York Street Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Telephone	(506) 453-2789 1-888-465-1100
Fax	(506) 453-5599
E-Mail	nbombud@gnb.ca
In Person	For appointment Telephone (506) 453-2789 1(888) 465-1100