BC Ombudsperson Sandy Hermiston is encouraged by government’s introduction of standards of conduct legislation for local governments last Thursday.

🔗Learn more: mobily.ca/hW3HYK

If implemented, these changes will expand coverage so more employees are covered, make it safer for people to speak up, and build trust across the public sector.

A Special Committee of the Legislative Assembly released its 5-year review of BC’s whistleblower protection law. Many recommendations reflect improvements identified through our work administering the Act. Government will now decide how to move forward. bcombudsperson.ca/news_release...

Due to BC Hydro work, our office will be closed at 12pm on Friday, January 30. We will be unable to take complaints by phone, fax or in person. To make a complaint, please use our online complaint form: bcombudsperson.ca/online-compl.... Our office will reopen on Monday, February 2 at 9am

The Ombudsperson released an update report today about BC’s mental health facilities finding that while the system has improved, serious gaps remain in rights protections for involuntary admissions.

🔗Read the report: tinyurl.com/8xbb54mx

Many people living with disabilities, financial crises, or needing medical support rely on these services to meet basic needs, and prolonged wait times raise concerns about fairness, accessibility, and transparency.

Learn more: tinyurl.com/2ub2dssu

The BC government has suggested it may lower call-answer standards it is not meeting, rather than fixing the service. That will not improve access for people who rely on it most.

We reviewed how quickly the BC government answered phone calls from low-income and disability assistance recipients.

In the two years of data we reviewed, the government did not meet its on service standards even once.

The BC Ombudsperson has released an update finding that income and disability assistance call wait times remain unreasonably long.

Between 2022–24, only about 13% of calls were answered within 10 minutes – well below the ministry’s service standard of 80%.

🔗Read the report: tinyurl.com/2ub2dssu

Public meetings should be just that – public. Our updated Open Meetings Guide helps local governments follow the rules that keep decision-making open, fair, and transparent.

🔗https://tinyurl.com/bphph7rp

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We released our report on the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s delivery of social assistance cheques during the 2024 postal strike. While pre-strike planning was limited, once the strike began, the ministry’s response was reasonable.
🔗Read the report tinyurl.com/58me6y2y

The Legislative Assembly has appointed British Columbia’s next Ombudsperson. Sandy Hermiston will begin her term on January 31. Read the Legislature’s announcement: www.leg.bc.ca/committee-co...

When something about a public service doesn’t feel fair, people often turn to our office for help. Our 2024/25 Annual Report is now live. It shares what we heard – and how fairness in public services still makes a real difference in people’s lives.
🔗https://bcombudsperson.ca/news_release/

Our office is closed today, but you can still make a complaint.

Port Hardy, have you been treated unfairly by a local or provincial public body in BC? We may be able to help. We'll be visiting Port Hardy next Tues, Nov 4 to hear your complaints about unfair public services. To book your free, confidential appointment, call 1-800-567-3247.

The deadline to have your say on our draft Open Meetings Guide is approaching. Local governments must follow the rules for meetings.

Submit your feedback by Oct 31 at info@bcombudsperson.ca

Read it: bcombudsperson.ca/guide/open-m...

🚨UPDATE: All appointments for Campbell River are now booked. If you live in Campbell River and would like to discuss your concerns about unfair treatment by a provincial or local public body, you can still contact us for a phone appointment at 1-800-567-FAIR (3247).

Have you been treated unfairly by a public body in BC? The Office of the BC Ombudsperson may be able to help. We'll be in North & Central Vancouver Island Nov 4-7. Call 1- 800- 567- 3247 to book your free, confidential appointment.

Today is #OmbudsDay, a global reminder of the role ombuds play in promoting fairness and accountability in public services. Have a complaint about the fairness of a provincial or local public body in BC? Learn more about how we can help: bcombudsperson.ca #OmbudsDay2025

Due to the ongoing public sector and Canada Post strikes we are unable to send or receive mail, but you can still contact our office by:

💻 Using our online complaint form: bcombudsperson.ca/online-compl...
☎️ Calling us at 1-800-567-3247
🏢 Visiting us at 947 Fort St., Victoria, BC

We’ve released a consultation draft of our new Open Meetings Guide – a resource to help local governments, staff, and the public understand the rules about public meetings in BC.
Feedback deadline: Oct 31, 2025
bcombudsperson.ca/guide/open-m...

The five-year review is an opportunity to strengthen BC’s public sector whistleblowing law – and it supports “speak up” workplace cultures. BC’s Ombudsperson Jay Chalke

Whistleblower protections are stronger when people feel confident speaking up about wrongdoing in their public sector workplace. The Ombudsperson’s recommendations aim to improve fairness, confidentiality & trust under the Public Interest Disclosure Act. bcombudsperson.ca/news_release...

PIDA 5-year review: At a glance - expand coverage to more public bodies - strengthen protections for whistleblowers - improve oversight and transparency - build trust in reporting

Every 5yrs, the Public Interest Disclosure Act – BC’s public sector workplace whistleblowing law – must be reviewed. Today, the Ombudsperson has provided recommendations to expand coverage of the law, strengthen whistleblower protection & enhance oversight bcombudsperson.ca/news_release...

A silver metal whistle hanging from a white rope in front of a light blue background.

BC's Public Interest Disclosure Act, the province's whistleblower legislation, is undergoing a 5-year review. A parliamentary committee of the Legislature is looking for input on this public interest disclosure process. Have your say - input due by Aug 1 consultation-portal.leg.bc.ca/consultations

A dark blue background with white text that reads: Ombuds institutions across Canada must remain robust, impartial, and accessible to all. Effective oversight is essential to a healthy democracy.

Today, Canada’s Parliamentary Ombuds offices released shared principles to protect independent oversight and ensure fair treatment in public services. Read the principles: bcombudsperson.ca/news_release...

In 2021, the province fixed a nearly identical issue for a different set of workers who had received EI-ERB during COVID. Yet now it is refusing to fix the cases of reactivated EI claims or explain why. The Ombudsperson found this was unjust and recommended a legislative fix.

Many had taken parental or medical leave just before COVID-19 hit. When in 2020, they lost work due to COVID-19 and applied for CERB, their old EI claims were reactivated. This technicality made them ineligible for the $1000 provincial benefit.

New report: Some people who lost jobs during COVID-19 received a one-time $1000 emergency benefit only to be told to pay it back years later. BC unjustly made them ineligible because it didn’t realize how pandemic relief applications were being treated by the feds. bcombudsperson.ca/news_release...

We don’t just step in when things go wrong. Through proactive training and consultations, we help public sector staff deliver fair, respectful service from the start — building a stronger culture of fairness across BC. More information: bcombudsperson.ca/fairness-edu...

Ombudsperson Jay Chalke is urging the province to ensure stronger ethics/integrity oversight in local government, free from political interference. “BC deserves local governments that are transparent, accountable and governed by clear ethical standards.” bcombudsperson.ca/news_release...

BC Ombudsperson Jay Chalke is calling on the province to introduce legislation for independent, enforceable ethics and integrity oversight in local government. Recent events show why optional local codes of conduct aren’t enough. Read more: bcombudsperson.ca/news_release...