P.E.I. still without ombudsman

Prince Edward Island remains one of just two jurisdictions in Canada without its own ombudsman. That's despite repeated calls for the provincial government to create the position.

After the government in the Northwest Territories voted in favour of setting up an ombudsman, P.E.I.and Nunavut are now the only province and territory without one.

New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island leader Mike Redmond said his party has been calling for an ombudsman for a number of years.

"Somebody that's neutral, that people would feel comfortable going to and lodging a complaint or bring up an issue of transparency or openness in government. It takes away that culture of fear that people on P.E.I. feel at the moment."

Redmond says the NDP believes the creation of the position would save tax dollars, despite the government's belief it wouldn't.

In 2007 the Liberals under Robert Ghiz included the creation as an ombudsman as part of their election platform, but it did not happen.

So what does an ombudsman do? An example: last year Nova Scotia's ombudsman delivered recommendations after a toddler died. Social Services had been warned for months about concerns for the child's well-being. The ombudsman's report identified several shortcomings in the way government handled the case.

"So we wanted to look specifically at this instance to see, did the process work as it should have? Could this happen again and if so, could there be any policies or procedures or amendments that could prevent this from coming forward again?," said Christine Delisle-Brennan, Acting N.S. Ombudsman.

David Daughton is the executive director of the Community Legal Information Association of P.E.I.. He said if properly set up, an ombudsman could help. He would also like to see the government set up designated advocates.

"We've found in discussions with people in both public organizations and the legal profession that there is a pretty good appetite and consensus around advocates, especially child advocates and even advocates for people with mental health issues, disabilities," said Daughton.

"I think it would be more helpful for people advocating for Islanders rather than Islanders have an ombudsman as a person of last resort after they've exhausted all efforts," he added. 

"An ombudsperson is usually dealing with an issue that's reached a dead end. And an advocate is going to be trying to find a way to a better solution."