On Being an Ombudsman: Protecting the Public Interest While Navigating the Minefield of Policy Networks

Authors

  • Daniel Johns Institutional Knowledge and Research, Alberta Ombudsman, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • Brent Epperson Faculty of Human Sciences, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0264-5518

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7202/1092953ar

Keywords:

ombudsman, complainants, client, resolution, impartiality, policy networks

Language(s):

English

Abstract

After 50 years of institutional history in Canada, the focus of ombuds has shifted from resolving individual complaints to improving the quality of government services for all. New tools in the ombuds world enabled the conceptualization and promotion of administrative fairness. Ombuds’ acquired expertise, which, shared with government, improved the delivery of services. Public systemic investigations are now seen as the ultimate expression of ombuds effectiveness. Consistent dialogue with public servants and organisational administrators inevitably links ombuds to policy networks. While informal links to policy networks can help ombuds resolve cases, they can also inadvertently create distance between ombuds and complainants. A former ombuds officer at Columbia University, Marsha Wagner emphasizes the importance of identifying systemic issues in ombuds practice, i.e., ombuds who do not focus on systemic issues may be derided as “wannabes”. This article suggests the pendulum has swung too far from the individual complainant to a systemic focus and urges caution in contemporary ombudship.

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Published

2022-10-17

How to Cite

[1]
Johns D, Epperson B. On Being an Ombudsman: Protecting the Public Interest While Navigating the Minefield of Policy Networks. Can. J. Bioeth 2022;5:21-30. https://doi.org/10.7202/1092953ar.