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A specialized approach for the First Nations and Inuit
The Protecteur du citoyen has undertaken a cultural safety initiative with First Nations and Inuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make a complaint
Yes. We act throughout the province, even if our offices are located in Québec City and Montréal. No matter where you live in Québec, you can contact us. Call us at 1-800-463-5070 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can only use our online complaint form.
The Protecteur du citoyen cannot intervene when complaints concern municipalities. However, some cities have their own ombudsman, including Montréal, Québec City, Laval, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Longueuil and Saguenay.
Do you want to disclose a wrongdoing within a municipality? Contact the Commission municipale du Québec (CMQ).
Not sure? Contact us. We will help you find the right resource.
Denounce a reprehensible act
Anyone (staff, subcontractor, client, citizen, parent, etc.) can disclose about a wrongdoing committed or about to be committed within a public body.
Important - You can speak out even if you are not an employee of the public body in question.
The Act respecting protection against reprisals related to the disclosure of wrongdoings prohibits reprisal and threats of reprisal, in particular if:
- You have disclosed a wrongdoing;
- You have cooperated in an audit or investigation related to a disclosure or a reprisal complaint;
- You have advised or encouraged someone to make a disclosure or shown them how to do so;
- You have a personal or family relationship with someone who has made a disclosure.
You are protected against reprisal if you have made a disclosure to the Protecteur du citoyen or cooperated in an investigation related to a disclosure or reprisal complaint handled by the Protecteur du citoyen.
Protection against reprisal also applies if you have made a disclosure to a person (manager, co-worker, etc.) within the public body where you work. The Act also protects you if you have made a disclosure about a municipality to the Commission municipale du Québec. The same applies if you have made a disclosure involving the Protecteur du citoyen to the National Assembly’s Ethics Commissioner.
If you disclose wrongdoing publicly or through the media, the Act will not protect you against reprisal, except in emergency situations and under certain conditions.
For more details, see How am I protected? and Disclosure in the media: am I protected?.