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Office of the Ombudsman

Under the Ombudsman Act, the Ombudsman is established as an independent Officer of the House of Assembly, with all the powers, privileges, and immunities of a commissioner appointed under the Public Inquiries Act. The primary mandate of the Office is to investigate complaints arising from the administration of provincial or municipal laws in Nova Scotia. The Office of the Ombudsman may also initiate investigations of administrative activities and practices, (own motion investigations) or matters referred to it by a committee of the House of Assembly.

In recent years, the mandate has expanded to include a proactive role in relation to the province's programs and services for youth, seniors, adult correctional facilities, as well as systemic and policy reviews. In December 2011, the role and scope of the Ombudsman's responsibilities expanded with the proclamation of the Public Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act. The Act allows members of the public and employees of specified government bodies, to file allegations of wrongdoing.

The Ombudsman for Nova Scotia is Ms. Christine Brennan.

For more information, visit the website for the Office of the Ombudsman:

The Office of the Ombudsman

5670 Spring Garden Road, Suite 700
P.O. Box 2152
Halifax, NS B3J 3B7

Public Inquiries/Complaints:
902-424-6780
1-800-670-1111 (toll free in NS)

Youth Services:
1-888-839-6884 (toll free in NS)

Public Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing:
1-877-670-1100 (toll free in NS)

Seniors' Services:
1-800-670-1111 (toll free in NS)

Fax: 902-424-6675
Email: Ombudsman@novascotia.ca