Ombudsman’s confidential report on Niagara CAO hiring to be viewed by council Nov. 14

(TORONTO – October 31, 2019) Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé’s draft report on his investigation into issues relating to the 2016 hiring of Niagara Region’s chief administrative officer will be provided to members of regional council for review at a closed meeting on November 14.

The Ombudsman’s reporting process is prescribed by law. Under the Ombudsman Act, the Ombudsman must give anyone who may be adversely affected by his report and recommendations the chance to respond, before his report is finalized and made public. The Municipal Act requires any discussion about a preliminary Ombudsman report to happen in a closed session.

According to the Ombudsman’s normal procedures, those who are invited to view the report at this stage will first be required to sign an undertaking not to release any information about it to the public, and no one will be permitted to make copies.

Once those affected have provided their responses to the Ombudsman, he will make his final report public. Notice of the report’s publication will be given through a news release as well as the Ombudsman’s website and social media channels, and the report will be posted on the Ombudsman’s website. Mr. Dubé and his office will not make any further comment on the investigation until the report is released.

Media inquiries:
Linda Williamson, Director of Communications
416-586-3426, lwilliamson@ombudsman.on.ca