Ombudsman office to visit city on Oct. 11

On Thursday, October 11, 2018 staff from Ombudsman Saskatchewan will be in Swift Current to take complaints in person and provide information to the public.

Ombudsman Mary Mcfadyen said, “It’s important for people to know that there is an independent Office to go to if they are having trouble resolving a problem with a provincial or municipal government service.”

The Ombudsman’s Office takes complaints about the administrative decisions and actions of a wide range of organizations, including provincial government ministries and agencies, Crown corporations, and most publicly-funded health entities, as well as all Saskatchewan towns, cities, and rural municipalities.

People who would like to make a complaint in person will be able to sit down with an Ombudsman staff person at the Royal Canadian Legion, 239 1st Avenue NE. They are invited to book an appointment time by calling 1-800-667-9787. Walk-ins are also welcome between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and will be fit into the schedule where possible.

There will be a public presentation at the Royal Canadian Legion at 11 a.m. It will cover topics such as: What kinds of concerns can I take to the Ombudsman? How does the Ombudsman’s Office decide whether I have been treated fairly? What happens to my complaint once I take it to the Ombudsman? Everyone is welcome.

The Ombudsman operates under The Ombudsman Act and is an officer of the Legislative Assembly. Her Office promotes and protects fairness and integrity in the design and delivery of government services.

When possible, the Ombudsman’s staff try to resolve complaints using non-adversarial approaches such as facilitated communications, negotiation, mediation, conciliation and coaching. If that is not successful, and if appropriate, the Office will conduct an investigation into the complaint. At the completion of an investigation, when appropriate, the Ombudsman can make recommendations that government take corrective action to address and resolve the complaint.

More information about Ombudsman Saskatchewan is available at www. ombudsman.sk.ca.

BOOSTER PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON Matteo Young was one of the young entrepreneurs selling items during the final Market Square of 2018 during a chilly Saturday.