OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSPERSON

Mail: PO Box 9039 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC V8W 9A5

Site: 947 Fort Street, 2nd Floor, Victoria BC V8V 3K3

Phone: 250-387-5855   Fax: 250-387-0198

Toll Free: 1-800-567-3247 

Email: info@bcombudsperson.ca

Website: https://bcombudsperson.ca/

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

An Ombudsperson is an officer of the provincial legislature, independent of government and political parties, and is responsible for making sure that the administrative practices and services of public agencies are fair, reasonable, appropriate and equitable.

Programs & Services:

  • Provide information about what steps to take in dealing with a public agency
  • Try to settle complaints through consultation
  • Investigate complaints about administrative unfairness by a public agency
  • Make recommendations to a public agency to resolve an unfairness
  • Report to the provincial legislature
  • Issue public reports

The Ombudsperson has jurisdiction over a wide range of public agencies, including:

  • Provincial government ministries, including complaints regarding Income Assistance and the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program
  • Crown corporations such as ICBC and BC Hydro 
  • Government boards such as WCB and the BC Human Rights Tribunal 
  • Hospitals, regional and local health agencies,and health-related government agencies such as Medical Services Plan and PharmaCare 
  • Schools and school districts 
  • Universities and colleges 
  • Municipal and regional governments 
  • Self-regulating professions such as the Law Society, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia