On January 19, 2010 our office released my first Annual Report (link), called Advocating for Fairness. It outlines the work we have done in our first nine months of operation, including the number (1,057) and types of complaints we had, and the service areas complained about. I encourage you to read it.
My office is a place of last resort. You have to complain first to the division or organization of the city that is involved. If that does not work, then my office may be able to help. Our services are free and totally confidential.
We have started to look for trends in the individual complaints. This will lead to systemic investigations, which will result in fixing the problem so that it does not recur, making it better for everyone. As Ombudsman, I have powers of investigation and if my recommendations are not implemented, I can take them directly to Toronto’s City Council.
Our commitment to you is to be fair, impartial, transparent, tenacious and thorough in our fact finding, decision making and recommendations.
Our goal, in the end, is to improve the quality of public service for everyone in our great city.
