The Yukon Ombudsman and Information and Privacy Commissioner has supported fairness, privacy, and access to information for three decades, and the future is looking even brighter for protecting the rights of Yukoners. While 30 years is often marked by diamonds, this anniversary will be celebrated with the gift of amending the outdated Yukon Ombudsman Act, in addition to an open house on Thursday, July 23rd.

The all-party Member Services Board has agreed to a review of the Ombudsman Act and will meet this fall with Yukon Ombudsman, Jason Pedlar to discuss his proposed amendments.

Pedlar requested to modernize the Act in 2024 with a special report entitled, Recommendations for Amendments to the Ombudsman Act. This report builds upon comments made by previous Ombudsman on the need to amend the Act.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 30th anniversary than to formally review and align the Ombudsman Act with both national and international best practices identified through the Key Principles Towards Ensuring Effective Parliamentary Ombudsman Institutions in Canada and the Venice Principles on the Protection and Promotion of the Ombudsman Institutions,” said Jason Pedlar, Yukon Ombudsman.

The Act was first passed in 1996 and has not undergone any substantive changes since. The two most significant proposed amendments are related to expanded authority; the ability to conduct “own motion” investigations and inclusion of municipalities within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

Own motion authority allows the Ombudsman to proactively investigate a matter without having received a complaint. This power reduces barriers and delays in investigating concerns that come to his attention, when, for a variety of reasons, individuals may not file a complaint. The Yukon Ombudsman is the only territorial or provincial ombudsman without own motion authority.

Similarly, including municipalities under the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction also protects and promotes administrative fairness. While all other territorial and provincial ombuds offices in Canada have own motion power, the majority also have jurisdiction over municipalities.

Other proposed amendments will be administrative in nature and intend to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Act. Pedlar will build upon the proposed amendments that he previously submitted to the Yukon Legislative Assembly.

The public is invited to celebrate this news and the 30th anniversary at an open house on Thursday, July 23rd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where there will be food, prizes, and resources. Please join us. 

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