By. Adu Raudkivi
The guest this month at the NEPMCC Monthly meeting hosted by President Tom Saras was City of Toronto Ombudsman Fiona Crean. She celebrated the third year of her reign (2009).
City of Toronto Ombudsman Fiona Crean.
"My department has budget of $1.3 million and hires 16 investigators, is not housed at City Hall and is not part of the civil service," said Crean, adding,"we have the power to reccommend, but its powerful. "We are the last resort, we expect people to expend all areas of the Civil Service. We do not always take cases (at sole discretion). We are anserable to City Council (not the Mayors office) and can be fired (or hired, for that matter) by 2/3 of the council."
Points of interest :
- They are impartial investigators of the public's complaints about the administration of city government including its agencies, boards and commissions.
- The office is independent from the Toronto Public Service. The Ombudsman, Fiona Crean, is an Officer of the Toronto City Council.
- They are neither advocates for the complainant nor apologists for the government. They advocate for fairness.
- They are office of "last resort" - after the public has tried to resolve the problem with the City. They can investigate earlier, howevever, if the public experience an unreasonable delay or receives no response from the City about their complaint. Their services are confidential and free.
- They offer information sessions. They can be called 416-392-7062 and TTY 416-392-7100 or they can e-mailed atombuds@toronto.ca. Their location is 375 University Avenue 8:30am - 5pm Monday – Friday.