Difference between revisions of "A Provincial Government Worker Was Abusive to Me"
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# If your complaint is about a decision, get reasons for the decision. | # If your complaint is about a decision, get reasons for the decision. | ||
# Ask if the agency has its own process for reviewing or appealing the decision. If so, use it. | # Ask if the agency has its own process for reviewing or appealing the decision. If so, use it. | ||
# If your complaint is not resolved by the agency, complete and send in a Complaint Form within one year of the action you are complaining about. [See | # If your complaint is not resolved by the agency, complete and send in a Complaint Form within one year of the action you are complaining about. [See [[Ombudsman]] in Part 2 of this Guide for contact and website information on the BC Ombudsman complaint process. The website has an online complaint form.] | ||
== What will happen next? == | == What will happen next? == | ||
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== Where to get help == | == Where to get help == | ||
See Part 2 | See the [[Resource Guide]] in Part 2 for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are: | ||
* [[Ombudsman]]. The Ombudsman website has “useful contacts” to make complaints about nongovernmental service providers such as lawyers, doctors and banks. | * [[Ombudsman]]. The Ombudsman website has “useful contacts” to make complaints about nongovernmental service providers such as lawyers, doctors and banks. | ||
* [[Law Students’ Legal Advice Program]] (See “Chapter 20- Public Complaints Procedure”, for useful information on “Complaints Concerning Police Conduct”.) | * [[Law Students’ Legal Advice Program]] (See “Chapter 20- Public Complaints Procedure”, for useful information on “Complaints Concerning Police Conduct”.) |
Revision as of 07:04, 30 April 2010
If you believe that a decision or action of a provincial public agency has been unfair, rude, unduly slow, negligent, arbitrary, oppressive or unlawful, you can make a complaint to the BC Ombudsman. The Ombudsman can deal with complaints about provincial government ministries, municipal and regional governments, Crown corporations and government boards. It can also deal with complaints about hospitals, health agencies, schools, colleges, universities and self-regulated professions such as the Law Society, College of Physicians and Surgeons and Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia.
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The process below focuses on the provincial Ombudsman, who has no jurisdiction to deal with complaints about federal ministries or agencies. To make a complaint against a federal ministry or agency,call Service Canada at 1-800-622-6232 or visit their website at www.servicecanada.gc.ca. Service Canada will direct you to available internal complaint processes. |
First Steps[edit]
Make notes of the names of the officials you deal with, their actions and the relevant dates.
- Keep copies of all relevant documents.
- If your complaint is about a decision, get reasons for the decision.
- Ask if the agency has its own process for reviewing or appealing the decision. If so, use it.
- If your complaint is not resolved by the agency, complete and send in a Complaint Form within one year of the action you are complaining about. [See Ombudsman in Part 2 of this Guide for contact and website information on the BC Ombudsman complaint process. The website has an online complaint form.]
What will happen next?[edit]
You will be contacted by a worker from the Office of the Ombudsman to discuss your complaint. If the complaint proceeds, the public agency will be notified and asked to respond. If this does not resolve the complaint, the Office of the Ombudsman will conduct a further investigation and may make recommendations to the agency and, if necessary, to the legislature. For the most serious issues, the Ombudsman may issue a Public Report.
The Ombudsman does not have the authority to order a public agency to take certain action. However, because the Ombudsman reports directly to the BC Legislature, agencies usually do not ignore the Ombudsman’s recommendations.
If you are not happy with the investigation, you can contact the Manager of Investigations at the Ombudsman’s office.
Where to get help[edit]
See the Resource Guide in Part 2 for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
- Ombudsman. The Ombudsman website has “useful contacts” to make complaints about nongovernmental service providers such as lawyers, doctors and banks.
- Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (See “Chapter 20- Public Complaints Procedure”, for useful information on “Complaints Concerning Police Conduct”.)
- Access Justice, Lawyer Referral Service, Salvation Army Pro Bono Lawyer Consultation Program, Private Bar Lawyers.
Your local MLA (Member of the BC Legislative Assembly) may also be willing to help with your complaint against a BC public agency. Call Enquiry BC at 1-800-663-7867 for contact information for your MLA.
Your local MP (Member of Parliament) may also be willing to help you with your complaint against a federal public agency. Call Service Canada at 1-800-622-6232 for contact information for your MP.
Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form Preparing for Your Interview in Part 3 of this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.
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The Ombudsman may refuse to investigate if you have not used an internal review process. For example, many decisions denying you income assistance benefits can be reviewed and appealed under the Employment and Income Assistance Act. Use that review/appeal process first before going to the Ombudsman. |