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Case Summaries
While our investigations of complaints are conducted
confidentially, every year we select a number of cases to
publish in our annual report. These case summaries (with
names changed or abbreviated to protect confidentiality) are
meant to show the variety of work the Ombudsperson’s office
does, and the kinds of resolutions we can often achieve.
Below you will find examples of some of the work we've done with
and for youth.
School principal apologizes for
ignoring parent’s concerns
School District 61
We were contacted by Ms. K who complained that
a high school principal acted inappropriately by not returning her
phone calls regarding her daughter and concerns about racism. She
told us that the principal only returned her phone calls after she
decided to file a formal complaint with the Superintendent’s
Office....more
Ombudsman
investigation leads to improvements to food distribution in
provincial youth custody centres
2005
During our visit to Prince George Youth Custody
Centre, youth complained to Ombudsman Officers about the quantity of
food at the centre and about the process followed for distributing
extra food at mealtime. Our investigation of these complaints led to
improvements to food distribution in all three provincial youth
custody centres....more
Funding reinstated for orthodontics for foster child
Ministry of Children and
Family Development
2005 Annual Report
Ms M explained she
was foster parenting a 15-year-old boy whose orthodontist
recommended treatment. She said the orthodontist submitted a request
to the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s Medical
Benefits Program for funding of this treatment. However, the request
was denied on the basis that it did not meet the program’s minimum
eligibility criteria. The boy’s social worker contacted the program
for a more detailed response but no further information was
provided. Ms M believed the ministry acted unfairly by not providing
adequate reasons to support its decision....more
Ombudsman Includes Dignity and Respect Criteria in its
Investigations of Public Agency’s Decisions and Actions
Ministry of Children and Family Development
2002 Annual Report
The Ombudsman initiated an investigation into
the establishment of a “special unit” at a youth custody centre
where youth were placed in the “special unit” when their behaviour
was deemed unmanageable. The special unit was created to allow the
resident sufficient time away from other influences to regain
composure. The Ombudsman was concerned that the special unit was
being used to punish residents rather than to provide for “time
out.”...more
School district develops policies to address student substance abuse
School District
2001 Annual Report
This investigation began with a complaint from
a student about the way in which school district staff responded to
suspicions that the student had engaged in drug use.
In the course of conducting the investigation,
the Ombudsman became aware that the school district in question
lacked an adequate policy to guide district staff when students were
suspected of substance abuse, either during school functions or on
school premises....more
Fighting for an Education
Ministry of Human Resources
2001 Annual Report
Ms. J, an eighteen-year-old youth on income
assistance, was enrolled in a high school diploma program. She paid
the school fee out of her Income Assistance benefits, not realizing
that the Ministry of Human Resources would cover the cost....more
A Motherhood Issue
Ministry of Social Development
and Economic Security
2000 Annual Report
Ms. N. was a youth in care by voluntary
agreement which was soon to expire. She and her two-year-old
daughter had returned home to live with Ms. N.’s mother. The
Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security agreed to
provide the grandmother with additional income assistance to support
Ms. N. but was making no provision for the baby. The ministry had
told Ms. N. that it could not provide support for the child unless
she was a dependent of the grandmother. They told Ms. N. that she
would have to give up custody of her baby to her mother....more
Even Citizens Under Age 19 Have the Right to Appeal
Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security
1999 Annual Report
Income Assistance recipients under age 19 are
not always treated in the same way as adult clients of the Ministry
of Social Development and Economic Security (MSDES). Although
clients under age 19 have the same rights as adult clients, we
occasionally find that young people are not advised of those rights,
or that benefits to which they may be entitled are withheld. In one
recent case, we found that the client was not informed of her right
to appeal a decision....more
Switching Residency between Parents in Different Regions
Causes Turmoil
Ministry for Children and Families
1999 Annual Report
Sixteen year-old
Mr. P was concerned that the Ministry for Children and Families had
not taken his views and needs into consideration when insisting he
return home to live with his father. A short stay with his mother in
a different region of the province had come to an end and he was
staying with a friend’s family....more
Awareness of Funding Came Late
Ministry assists young woman by providing funding
1999 annual report
Ms. J contacted us with a complaint that she
had not received appropriate information from the Ministry for
Children and Families about funding for post-secondary education. As
a minor, she had been in the care of the Ministry, and recently
learned that she was entitled to assistance with the cost of
post-secondary education....more
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