Bill that would give N.W.T. ombud more reach gains traction – CBC

Jan 26, 2023

Current legislation has gaps that Bill 61 would fix, says N.W.T. ombud

A bill that would expand the N.W.T. ombud’s investigative reach is on its way to a final debate after receiving support — and a change — at the committee level this week.

The office of the ombud is an independent body that’s meant to hear and investigate complaints from people who feel they’ve been treated unfairly by territorial departments and agencies. It also helps find solutions.

But the existing legislation has gaps that force the office to turn people away, Colette Langlois, the N.W.T.’s ombud, told the standing committee on government operations last month. If it passes, Bill 61 would fix that, she said.

“It feels bad when we have to turn someone away when they have complaints that fit with our mandate, as we’ve described it … and it’s really hard to explain why,” she said.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nwt-ombud-expansion-bill-1.6726246