Make a Complaint

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The Ombudsman does not respond to anonymous complaints.

Program

To help us in our investigation, please include the name of program that is the focus of your complaint.

Word verification:

Type the word you see in the picture below.

Other Ways to send your complaint

Email:

ombudsman@cbc.ca

Mailing:

Esther Enkin
Ombudsman
CBC
P.O. Box Station A
Toronto, Ontario M5W 1E6

Telephone & Fax:

Phone: (416) 205-2978
Fax: (416) 205-2825

What does the CBC Ombudsman do?

The CBC's Office of the Ombudsman deals with complaints from the public about journalistic material that has appeared within the last twelve months on CBC Radio, CBC Television, CBC News Network and CBCNews.ca.

The Ombudsman determines whether the program or report has complied with the CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. The Ombudsman can make recommendations, but has no say in programming or editorial decisions or in management of personnel.

What does the CBC Ombudsman not do?

The CBC Ombudsman does not deal with complaints or inquiries about:

  • Sports programming (see Mandate)
  • Arts and entertainment programming (see Mandate)
  • Children's programming
  • Advertising
  • Scheduling
  • Technical matters, such as poor reception of the CBC signal
  • User-generated Content (the Comments sections on CBCNews.ca)

If you have a complaint, comment or question about any of the above, or about CBC programming in general, please visit the Contact Us page.

How to make a complaint

Complaints should be in writing. Please provide your name, address and telephone number, in case we need to contact you. The Ombudsman does not respond to anonymous complaints.

Please indicate the name of the program; whether it was on CBC Radio, CBC Television, CBC News Network or CBCNews.ca; and when.

Please be specific. When you feel a program or report was inaccurate, unfair or biased, please indicate how it was inaccurate, unfair or biased.

Please note that the Ombudsman steps aside when legal action is contemplated or under way.

CBC programmers have the right to respond first to criticism of their work. When we receive a complaint we ask the relevant programmers to respond. They are asked to respond within twenty working days.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you may contact the Office of the Ombudsman again to request an independent review.

The Ombudsman's reviews are shared with the complainant and the programmers. They are also posted on the Ombudsman's website. The full names of complainants are published. If you have a serious objection to your name being published, please contact the Ombudsman.