Ombudsperson: wide latitude, but little power

The Office of the Ombudsperson for B.C. was created in 1979 to “help determine whether provincial public authorities have acted fairly and reasonably – and whether their actions and decisions were consistent with relevant legislation, policies and procedures,” according to its website.

Bodies subject to investigation by the ombudsperson include provincial government ministries, Crown corporations, health authorities, school districts and local governments.

But while the office has broad investigative powers under the B.C. Ombudsperson Act, it can do little more than make recommendations when it finds authorities have broken the law.

If a public authority fails to make good on such recommendations, however, the office can report that inaction to the B.C. lieutenant-governor and legislative assembly for follow-up.

The office receives 7,500 enquiries and complaints each year, and carries out 2,000 investigations and dispute resolutions, according to its website.

One of those investigations last year focused on the Okanagan Skaha School District, after parents complained about the process that nearly closed Trout Creek Elementary.

In its final report, which was released publicly in October, the ombudsperson declared the overall process to be “reasonable,” but identified two “administrative fairness concerns.”

Those concerns related to parents not being given enough notice about the possible closure of the school, which was a late addition to the list of those on the chopping block.

The school board addressed both concerns when it revised its closure policy earlier this year.