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How effective is the Military Ombudsman

Mediman14

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I know the role of the Military Ombudsman's office, but could anyone tell me how effective they are? Do they fight on soldiers behalf?
 
Mediman14 said:
I know the role of the Military Ombudsman's office, but could anyone tell me how effective they are? Do they fight on soldiers behalf?

You may find these discussions of interest,

Andre Marin, CF Ombudsman, and beyond (merged)
https://army.ca/forums/threads/2173.50
3 pages.

CAF Ombudsman on medical release and support transition to VAC 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/124108.0
2 pages/

Ombudsman Launches New Investigation into the Treatment of Injured Reservists 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/44821.0

The Veterans Ombudsman Information Thread- Merged 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/72657.0

New Ombudsman named 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/84220.0

What's an ombudsman?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/23180.0

"The Case for a Permanent and Independent Ombudsman Office"
https://army.ca/forums/threads/125472.0

Veterans Affairs Ombudsman 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/119490.0

Col. Pat Stogran, CAN's New Vets Ombudsman 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/67251.0
3 pages

Veterans Ombudsman on the NVC 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/108367.0

VAC Ombudsman Urges More Information to Veterans on Disability Benefit Decisions 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/121302.0

Ombudsman Report on the Recruiting Process
https://army.ca/forums/threads/47687.0

"I Had Soldiers Break into Tears" says ombudsman 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/23164.0
3 pages


And many more,

Ombudsman
https://www.google.com/search?rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-CA%3AIE-Address&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GBCA592&biw=1280&bih=603&ei=HaIQW_amNcnUjwT9-6noCQ&q=site%3Aarmy.ca+ombudsman&oq=site%3Aarmy.ca+ombudsman&gs_l=psy-ab.12...0.0.0.27776.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.IqAAd9zL4S4
 
Gary Walbourne is fighting the good fight. On the ombudsman webpage you can see many of his statements before legislative bodies and letters to officials, he is trying.

http://www.ombudsman.forces.gc.ca/en/ombudsman-news-events-media-letters/index.page
 
Probably not.  In order to avail yourself of the Ombudsman's services, you must have exhausted all other avenues available to you. By that point, your posting date will be well past.

This is well documented on the Ombudsman's website, National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, which you should have done your research on:

Submit a Complaint

If you are a member of the Defence community and you feel you have been treated unfairly, or would like information about how to resolve a problem, the Ombudsman's Office is here to help.

The Office of the Ombudsman serves as an office of last resort. Members of the Defence community must first use existing internal review mechanisms (e.g., the Canadian Forces grievance process, the public service grievance and complaints process, etc.) before the office can initiate a review or begin an investigation.
 
I'll take this a little further.  If you don't *avail yourself to existing mechanisms first* before contacting the Ombudsman, the CofC can take admin/disciplinary action.  DAOD 5047-1 Office of the Ombudsman refers:

Application: This is an order that applies to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND).

Approval Authorities: This DAOD is issued under authority of the Deputy Minister (DM) and the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS).

4. Operating Principles

For Greater Certainty

4.1 The Directives at Annex A are an order for CAF members and a directive for DND employees.

Failure to Comply

4.3 Evidence or a complaint that this DAOD, including Annex A, may have been breached shall be reported to the applicable commanding officer or manager who will assess the requirement for further investigation, including a police investigation.

4.4 Failure by a CAF member or DND employee to comply with this DAOD, including Annex A, may result in administrative and disciplinary action.

Annex A - MINISTERIAL DIRECTIVES RESPECTING THE OMBUDSMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE AND THE CANADIAN FORCES

Existing Mechanisms

13. (1) Except in compelling circumstances, the Ombudsman shall not deal with a complaint if the complainant has not, within the applicable time limit, first availed himself or herself of one or more of the following existing mechanisms available to the complainant

(a) the CF redress of grievance process;

(b) the public service grievance and complaints process;

(c) the Security Intelligence Review Committee; or

(d) the complaint process under Part IV of the National Defence Act.
 
Eye In The Sky said:
I'll take this a little further.  If you don't *avail yourself to existing mechanisms first* before contacting the Ombudsman, the CofC can take admin/disciplinary action. 

And the Ombuddy may refuse to deal with a complaint as follows:

18. (1) The Ombudsman may refuse to deal with a complaint or may discontinue dealing with a complaint at any stage if the Ombudsman considers that it is in the public interest to do so.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Ombudsman shall consider the following factors

(a) whether the complaint is frivolous or vexatious;

(b) whether the complainant lacks sufficient personal interest in the matter;

(c) the age of the complaint;

(d) the amount of time between when the complainant became aware of the matters giving rise to the complaint and when the complaint is received by the Ombudsman; and

(e) the need for a judicious and efficient use of the Ombudsman's resources.
 
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