The Ombudsperson BC is an independent office that investigates complaints about fairness in provincial and local public bodies, including school districts. The Ombudsperson does not take sides—they examine whether the public body followed fair processes.
What it can do
The Ombudsperson can:
- Investigate whether the district acted fairly
- Examine whether the district followed its own policies
- Determine whether decisions were reasonable
- Make recommendations for change
- Publish findings that create public accountability
- Investigate systemic issues affecting multiple families
What it cannot do
The Ombudsperson’s recommendations are not legally binding. The district can choose not to follow them (though this is politically costly and rare). The Ombudsperson cannot award compensation or make findings of discrimination.
When to complain
The Ombudsperson generally expects you to try resolving the issue with the district first. Before contacting them, you should have:
- Raised the issue with the school and district
- Received a response (or no response despite reasonable follow-up)
- Reached an impasse
If you have done these things and believe the district acted unfairly, the Ombudsperson may be able to help.
What counts as unfair
The Ombudsperson looks at process, not outcomes. They ask questions like:
- Did the district follow its own policies?
- Did you receive proper notice before decisions were made?
- Did the district consider relevant information (assessments, medical reports, your input)?
- Was the decision reasonable given the information available?
- Were you treated consistently with how others are treated?
- Did the district give reasons for its decision?
If the answer to any of these is no, you may have grounds for an Ombudsperson complaint.
How to file
Contact the Ombudsperson’s office by phone or through their website at bcombudsperson.ca. Staff will ask about your situation and assess whether it falls within their jurisdiction.
If they accept your complaint, an investigator will be assigned. They will gather information from you and the district, and may request documents. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Ombudsperson issues findings and, if warranted, recommendations.
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flowchart TD
A[You believe district<br/>acted unfairly] --> B[Try to resolve with district first<br/>Document the response]
B --> C[Contact Ombudsperson<br/>bcombudsperson.ca<br/>Phone or online]
C --> D{Jurisdiction assessment}
D -->|Within jurisdiction| E[Complaint accepted<br/>Investigator assigned]
D -->|Outside jurisdiction| F[Referred elsewhere<br/>or complaint ends]
E --> G[Investigation<br/>Ombudsperson gathers information<br/>from you and district]
G --> H[Findings issued]
H -->|Unfairness found| I[Recommendations made<br/>to district]
H -->|No unfairness found| J[Complaint ends]
I --> K{District response}
K -->|Accepts recommendations| L[Changes implemented]
K -->|Rejects recommendations| M[Ombudsperson may<br/>report publicly]
NOTE[Recommendations are not<br/>legally binding but carry<br/>public weight]Current investigations
The Ombudsperson is currently conducting a systemic investigation into student exclusion practices in BC schools. If your complaint relates to exclusion, informal removal, or reduced schedules, it may contribute to this broader investigation.
Is this the right pathway?
The Ombudsperson is the right choice if:
- You believe the district acted unfairly or failed to follow proper procedures
- You want an independent review of how you were treated
- You want findings that may prompt policy change
The Ombudsperson is not the right choice if:
- You need compensation (consider the tribunal)
- You want a legally binding order (consider the tribunal)
- You need a specific decision reversed urgently (consider Section 11)
You can file with the Ombudsperson while also pursuing other pathways.