Marianne Ryan, Alberta’s Ombudsman presented the office’s 54th Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly.
The 2020-21 annual report summarizes a productive year, albeit a uniquely challenging one. When COVID-19 significantly affected operations, the Ombudsman’s office adjusted in order to fulfill its mandate of ensuring fairness for Albertans seeking assistance from the public service.
COVID-19 changed priorities for most people across the province, but the degree of impact grew for citizens already relying heavily on governmental programs.
“We heard from families facing job losses, business owners coping with temporary closures, many with health and patient concerns, and from those battling the effects of isolation,” reflected Marianne Ryan. “Even the shift in operations to remote offices did not overshadow the office’s focus on fairness.”
The Ombudsman’s 54th annual report highlighted two significant publications that speak to her office’s work conducting administrative fairness investigations into unfair treatment.
