Ont. ombudsman wants oversight of municipalities, universities, schools, hospitals
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 | 2:12 PM ET
CBC News
Despite some improvements over last year, Ontario's ombudsman says he has uncovered a "treasure trove" of government mismanagement while preparing his annual report.
Ombudsman Andre Marin, shown during a news conference on Tuesday, pointed out that Ontario is the only province that doesn't let its ombudsman investigate hospitals and long-term care homes. (John McGrath/CBC) Ombudsman Andre Marin says the Family Responsibility Office, which helps enforce court-ordered support payments, is plagued by what he calls "customer disservice syndrome."
Marin also said in his report that the Trillium Drug Program used the "customer is always wrong" approach in dealing with a student who was trying to get drug costs covered.
But Marin's biggest concern is that he still doesn't have the ability to investigate complaints about municipalities, universities, schools, hospitals or children's aid societies.
Ontario is the only province that doesn't allow its ombudsman to investigate hospitals and long-term care homes, Marin said.
Ontario has appointed supervisors to take over hospitals and school boards because of spending excesses but still won't give him the power to investigate those publicly funded institutions, the ombudsman complained.
