Difference between revisions of "A Federal Government Worker Was Abusive to Me"

From Clicklaw Wikibooks
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(5 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}Unlike the [[A provincial government worker was abusive to me|provincial government]], the federal government (Government of Canada) does not have an Ombudsman overseeing all federal departments.  Some federal government ministries, departments or agencies such as Canada Post, do have an Ombudsman, but others only have an informal process for handling complaints.
{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}Unlike the [[A provincial government worker was abusive to me|provincial government]], the federal government (Government of Canada) does not have an Ombudsperson overseeing all federal departments.  Some federal government ministries, departments or agencies such as Canada Post, do have an Ombudsperson, but others only have an informal process for handling complaints.


== First steps ==  
== First steps ==  


# Make notes of the names of the officials you dealt with, their actions and the relevant dates.
If you have a complaint against a federal government worker, you should follow these steps:
# Keep copies of all relevant documents.
 
# If your complaint is about a decision, get reasons for the decision.
#Make notes of the names of the officials you dealt with, their actions and the relevant dates.
# Contact [[Service Canada]] at 1-800-622-6232.  Have a pen and paper ready, because they only give information by phone.
#Keep copies of all relevant documents.
# Tell the Service Canada agent that you want to make a complaint, and give them the name of the ministry, department or agency.  The Service Canada agent will give you a phone number, website address and other information about how to make a complaint about that particular office.
#If your complaint is about a <span class="noglossary">decision</span>, get reasons for the <span class="noglossary">decision</span>.
#<span class="noglossary">Contact</span> [[Service Canada]] at 1-800-622-6232.  Have a pen and paper ready, because they only give information by phone.
#Tell the Service Canada <span class="noglossary">agent</span> that you want to make a complaint, and give them the name of the ministry, department or agency.  The Service Canada <span class="noglossary">agent</span> <span class="noglossary">will</span> give you a phone number, website address and other information about how to make a complaint about that particular office.


== What happens next ==
== What happens next ==
Depending on the office you are complaining about, you should receive some form of response from them within a reasonable period of time.  If you don’t, you may wish to refer the complaint to your Member of Parliament.  [[Service Canada]] can give you the name and contact information for your Member of Parliament.
Depending on the office you are complaining about, you should receive some form of response from them within a reasonable period of time.  If you don’t, you may wish to refer the complaint to your Member of Parliament.  [[Service Canada]] can give you the name and <span class="noglossary">contact</span> information for your Member of Parliament.


== Where to get help ==   
== Where to get help ==   


See the [[Resource List]] for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:


* [[Service Canada]], where staff can provide contact information to make a complaint about a worker in a federal government ministry or agency.  
*[[Service Canada]], where staff can provide <span class="noglossary">contact</span> information to make a complaint about a worker in a federal government ministry or agency.
*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 <span class="noglossary">contact</span> information for your MP.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].


* 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]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.  


* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers]].
{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Neil Chantler]], April 2017}}


Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.
{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}


{{Template:Legal Help Guide Disclaimer}}
{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}
{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

Latest revision as of 22:13, 1 May 2017

Unlike the provincial government, the federal government (Government of Canada) does not have an Ombudsperson overseeing all federal departments. Some federal government ministries, departments or agencies such as Canada Post, do have an Ombudsperson, but others only have an informal process for handling complaints.

First steps[edit]

If you have a complaint against a federal government worker, you should follow these steps:

  1. Make notes of the names of the officials you dealt with, their actions and the relevant dates.
  2. Keep copies of all relevant documents.
  3. If your complaint is about a decision, get reasons for the decision.
  4. Contact Service Canada at 1-800-622-6232. Have a pen and paper ready, because they only give information by phone.
  5. Tell the Service Canada agent that you want to make a complaint, and give them the name of the ministry, department or agency. The Service Canada agent will give you a phone number, website address and other information about how to make a complaint about that particular office.

What happens next[edit]

Depending on the office you are complaining about, you should receive some form of response from them within a reasonable period of time. If you don’t, you may wish to refer the complaint to your Member of Parliament. Service Canada can give you the name and contact information for your Member of Parliament.

Where to get help[edit]

See the Resource List for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:

  • Service Canada, where staff can provide contact information to make a complaint about a worker in a federal government ministry or agency.
  • 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.
  • Access Pro Bono, Lawyer Referral Service, and private bar lawyers.

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form Preparing for Your Interview included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Neil Chantler, April 2017.


Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence Legal Help for British Columbians © Cliff Thorstenson and Courthouse Libraries BC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence.