Resources for Authorities

This Fairness by Design guide, updated in 2022, is an assessment tool that can be used by public organizations across Canada to ensure they have fair decision-making processes and are fair in the design and delivery of their programs. The guide was developed by the Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO). The CCPO is comprised of provincial and territorial Ombudsman (Ombuds) whose mandate is to ensure people are treated fairly in the delivery of public services.
 

Le 2022 guide L’équité en tête est un outil d’évaluation qui peut être utilisé par
les organismes publics du Canada pour garantir le caractère équitable
de leurs processus décisionnels et de la conception et la prestation de
leurs programmes. Ce guide a été mis au point par le Conseil canadien
des ombudsmans parlementaires (CCOP). Le CCOP est composé
d’ombudsmans provinciaux et territoriaux (ombudsmans) dont le mandat est
de s’assurer que les personnes sont traitées équitablement lorsqu’elles ont
recours à des services publics.
 

This special report was developed by the Offices of the Yukon Ombudsman and Privacy Commissioner, together with the BC Ombudsperson and the BC Privacy Commissioner.  Released on June 17, 2021, it highlights fairness and privacy concerns related to the use of artificial intelligence in the public sector and makes recommendations for steps governments should take to use AI in a responsible manner.

This infographic summarizes key points of the special joint report on use of artificial intelligence in the public sector, Getting Ahead of the Curve: Meeting the Challenges to Privacy and Fairness Arising from the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector.

An Administrative Fairness Self-Assessment Guide:  This guide provides an opportunity for public sector organizations to proactively conduct a self-assessment to evaluate the fairness of their systems, policies and practices, and to help these organizations build fairness into policies and processes from the start. It was developed by the Offices of the Ombudsman in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Yukon, and Ombudsperson in British Columbia. 

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman is not an ombudsman office, but rather an association that supports ombudsman offices in their work. As such they cannot offer services as an ombudsman. There are a number of links on this site however that may be of use to you if you have a complaint that you would like addressed.