Victoria – BC’s Ombudsperson has joined fellow provincial and territorial ombuds across Canada in supporting the creation of a National Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson.
The Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO) sent the letter to the federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and published it on its website today.
In the letter, the CCPO notes that provincial and territorial ombuds offices have no jurisdiction or authority to address Indigenous Peoples’ issues regarding federal services. The creation of a new independent ombudsperson could close this gap and provide an important avenue for Indigenous Peoples to access justice and resolve concerns.
The CCPO’s recommendation responds to Call for Justice 1.7 of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report, first published in 2019, which highlights the importance of having an authority to receive complaints from Indigenous individuals and communities and to evaluate related government services and determine compliance with human and Indigenous rights laws.
The BC Ombudsperson’s support of this recommendation is a part of her office’s commitment to actively advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Other strategies developed in service of that commitment can be found in the office’s Indigenous Communities Services Plan.
In addition to the open letter issued today, the CCPO sent letters to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations in 2019, 2024, and 2025 to urge action on the implementation of a national indigenous oversight body and to express a willingness to share its expertise.
