For each complaint it receives, the Québec Ombudsman determines whether or not it can investigate. At the end of an investigation, if we see that a mistake or injustice has occurred, we make recommendations. We make them to the responsible authorities to have the situation corrected. Here are some real-life stories that provide an overview of our interventions.
A crime victim contacted the Direction générale de l’indemnisation des victimes d’actes criminels. The agency authorized psychological counselling but refused to allow the sessions to be held by phone. The victim, who had mobility problems, complained to the Protecteur du citoyen.
An informal caregiver tried to find a respite resource that would take care of his spouse for a few days. He was exhausted and really needed to rest. However, no place was available in his region. He complained to the Protecteur du citoyen.
A woman had arm pain. She felt that it was work-related. However, the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail denied her claim for compensation. She complained to the Protecteur du citoyen.
A man was confined in a mental health institution. One day when he was agitated, the staff applied very strict measures to calm him down. The man felt that they should have acted differently to relieve him. He complained to the Protecteur du citoyen.
A person considered that she was unfit for work because of her physical condition. She approached Retraite Québec about a disability pension, but was turned down. She complained to the Protecteur du citoyen.
A boy with spinal muscular dystrophy was prescribed medication to treat the illness. A year later, he still had not been treated. His mother complained to the Protecteur du citoyen.
A student learned that she no longer qualified for instruction in English. Her father took steps for her to at least finish secondary school in English. When he had not heard back by the start of the school year, he contacted the Protecteur du citoyen.
A woman had to spend a few days in a hospital to receive care. When she arrived, a COVID-19 outbreak had begun. She wanted to go home but she was not allowed to, even though she had tested negative. Her daughter was worried and complained to the Protecteur du citoyen.
A woman had some backfilling done. The Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques said that she was not authorized to do so and demanded that she restore the site to its original condition, even though the municipality had told her she could go ahead with the work. She complained to the Protecteur du citoyen.
A teenager was living in a foster family. She said that while she lived there, she did not get her personal-expense allowance. She complained to the Protecteur du citoyen.
