Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi isn't pleased with the province's move to give the Alberta Ombudsman the power to investigate municipalities.

"I'm a bit grumpy about this," the mayor said of any expansion of the ombudsman's scope.

Nenshi said he met recently with ombudsman Peter Hourihan, an independent officer of the legislature, and let him know any reports he produces about city departments would go straight into the recycling bin.

The mayor noted Calgary already has an auditor, a whistleblower program, and an integrity commissioner to investigate public complaints or to look into programs that aren't operating as they should.

"My point is if you, as a citizen, disagree with a decision made by city administration, I'm the appeal. City council is the appeal, because we are ultimately responsible to the citizens, not somebody who doesn't even work for this order of government, in a different place," Nenshi said.

The mayor said he understands how the ombudsman could be useful for small municipalities that don't have an auditor, but for larger cities the size of Calgary or Edmonton, the position is redundant.

On its official website, the Alberta Ombudsman position is described as: "Your voice of fairness."

"The Alberta Ombudsman responds to complaints of unfair treatment by provincial government authorities and designated professional organizations," the description states.