Venice Principles
On 15 March 2019, the “Principles on the Protection and Promotion of the Ombudsman Institution”, (“The Venice Principles”) were adopted by the Venice Commission which is the Council of Europe’s Commission for Democracy through Law providing legal advice to its Member States.
The 25 Venice Principles represent the first, independent, international set of standards for the Ombudsman institution. They play a key role in protecting existing Ombudsman offices who are facing threats, provide guidelines for the improvement of current Ombudsman offices and set a template for new offices where none are present.
https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD(2019)005-e
UN Resolution on the Ombudsman Institution
This resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 15 December 2022.
The UN resolution represents a strong endorsement of the key principles of ombudsman institutions, including independence, objectivity, transparency, fairness and impartiality. It is an important further step in securing worldwide recognition for the work of Ombudsman institutions in promoting good administration, human rights, good governance and the rule of
This is an important step to strengthen independent and autonomous Ombudsman institutions worldwide and to raise awareness at international level for the essential role Ombudsman institutions around the world play in the protection and promotion of human rights. It confirms and reinforces the importance of a close cooperation between the IOI and the United Nations.
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – Inmates at PEI’s Provincial Correctional Centre will have more access to telephone services following an inquiry into multiple complaints received by OmbudsPEI. PCC’s telephone policy will no longer limit inmates to a small list of approved telephone contacts. Since beginning operations in February 2022, OmbudsPEI has received complaints from inmates at PCC…
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – After receiving complaints from individuals who were denied representation by Legal Aid, an inquiry by OmbudsPEI has resulted in the commitment to create a new internal policy. The policy will ensure fair decisions are made when an application for representation is denied. OmbudsPEI received complaints from two individuals who alleged that Legal…
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Following an inquiry into how PEI patients are chosen to be assigned to a practitioner from the province’s patient registry, new information providing a more transparent understanding of how patients are assigned to practitioners is now available to Islanders. OmbudsPEI had been contacted by a concerned individual who felt practitioners that were…
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – Ombudsperson Sandy Hermiston is voicing her support for a March 20th motion passed unanimously by the Legislative Assembly calling for the creation of legislation to guide service procurement in PEI. OmbudsPEI worked with Procurement Services and Treasury Board to agree to post the policies guiding the service procurement process to ensure that…
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – OmbudsPEI has tabled its first annual report, which highlights the creation, growth, work and statistics of the office’s first 14 months of operation. On Nov. 29, the report was tabled during the fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly. The report includes a breakdown of the number of cases received and investigated by…
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – In the wake of concerns raised in a recently released report commissioned by UPEI which reviewed the University’s practices and processes with respect to harassment, discrimination and fair treatment, the Legislative Assembly has amended the Ombudsperson Act to grant jurisdiction to the Ombudsperson over post-secondary institutions. “This change in the Ombudsperson Act…
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – OmbudsPEI is releasing its first public resource, a guide to help lead municipal governments through the process of holding closed meetings to ensure that the province’s open meeting laws are consistently applied. OmbudsPEI is aware of concerns that some municipalities may be discussing issues in closed meetings that should be discussed in…
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Steps are being taken to provide inmates at Prince Edward Island’s Provincial Correctional Centre (PCC) with improved treatment for opioid abuse following a 10-month investigation by the province’s office of the Ombudsperson. In Committing to Care: Improving the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in the Provincial Correctional System, OmbudsPEI examines how…
The Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman have developed a helpful assessment tool to ensure fairness is included in the development of decision-making processes and delivery of programs. You can find more information here.
