Annual Report 2011-12 Released

In 2011-12, the Office of the Ombudsman released a final report on loans to the former South West Shore Development Authority and launched its first investigation under a new Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act.

Details are outlined in the annual report tabled today, Sept. 13, by Ombudsman Dwight Bishop with the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Reviews and inquires by the Ombudsman in 2011-12 increased by 2.5 per cent, from 1,826 in 2010-11 to 1,872 this year and the Ombudsman issued 60 recommendations in 2011-12.

"We address a diverse range of issues, such as fair and transparent processes, implementation of safety standards, the consistent application of regulations and policies, and improvements to the sensitivity of government systems to complainants," said Mr. Bishop.

The office also investigates the rights of young people and seniors. Staff made 146 site visits to youth in care and 93 visits to senior residential care facilities.

"We take a forward-looking and collaborative approach to working with different levels of government," said Mr. Bishop. "We believe that a constructive relationship with various levels of government allows us to further strengthen our position to support effective change."

The Civil Service Disclosure of Wrongdoing Regulations were replaced by the new Public Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act in December 2011. The office received 18 allegations of wrongdoing, resulting in three investigations. Two allegations were investigated under the Ombudsman Act and one was investigated under the Public Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act. The remainder were assessed and determined to be either outside the scope of the legislation, not warrant formal investigation or were discontinued by the initiators.

The office also investigated the processes used by the Registry of Motor Vehicles in suspending and reinstating drivers' licences, including information provided to drivers before their hearings, potential for bias in hearings and guidelines for conditions on drivers before they regain their licences. Recommendations by the office were included in amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act in the fall of 2011.

The office continues to monitor recommendations on two files from previous years where findings of wrongdoing were made. One involved issues about respectful workplace and the other was compliance and enforcement of government regulations. The office is also monitoring the implementation of recommendations on two files where no wrongdoing was found but there were areas for improvement.

As a pilot project, the office expanded its on-site presence at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility. This improved working relationships with correctional officials and inquiries and complaints to the office by inmates were resolved more efficiently. The Ombudsman also hosted a national conference on correctional issues.

The annual report can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/ombu .