FCO/ACCUO Post 2011 Conference Agenda

Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons have announced details for their joint conference, "The Ombuds Office in Canada Today: Looking Towards Tomorrow," set for Vancouver, BC on May 16-18, 2011. Registration is now open for the event and supplemental workshops.

Sunday, May 15

Pre-Conference Workshop (additional fee) – The Fine Art of Fairness: A Model for Decision-Makers (Kevin Fenwick, Saskatchewan Ombudsman and Jeff Cain, Assistant Ombudsman & Lead Facilitator, Ombudsman Saskatchewan)

Monday, May 16

Welcome and Opening Remarks (Kim Carter, BC Ombudsperson)

Keynote Address – Demographic Effects: Global Trends - Local Impacts (Terry Bogyo, Director of Corporate Planning and Development, WorkSafeBC)

Breakout Sessions

• Does the Medium Fit the Message?
• Culture and Conflict: The role of an ombudsperson
• Duty to Accommodate: Effectively Navigating Human Rights Issues (Julie Cuddihy and David McDonald, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Barristers & Solicitors)

Breakout Sessions

• Co-opted or finding common ground? The challenges of working towards resolution with those you investigate while maintaining your independence.
• How do YOU do that? Comparative Office Practices (Hervé Depow, Ombudsperson, Algonquin College;
• Bradley Moss, Deputy Ombudsman, Newfoundland and Labrador)
• Key ingredients for successful Ombudsman programs

Association of College and University Ombudspersons Annual General Meeting (Kristen Robillard - President)

Tuesday, May 17

Keynote Address – A Proliferation of Ombudsman: Good, Bad or Ugly? (Hon. Stephen Owen Q.C., P.C., Vice-President, External, Legal and Community Relations, University of British Columbia)

Plenary Session – Recent Updates in Administrative Law: What Every Ombudsman Needs to Know (Frank Falzon, Barrister and Solicitor, Victoria BC)

Breakout Sessions

• Hot Topics for Ombuds in Higher Education 1
• Systemic Investigations for Smaller Offices (Kim Carter, B.C. Ombudsperson)

Breakout Sessions

• Embracing Change: ombuds work in an evolving world (Patricia O’Rourke, former Ombudsman, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal)
• Hot Topics for Ombuds in Higher Education 2
• What is Fairness?

Forum of Canadian Ombudsman Annual General Meeting and Election (Ian Darling, President)

Wednesday, May 18

Plenary Session – Mental Health Issues and Diminished Capacity: The Challenges and Opportunities of Serving and Supporting Vulnerable Populations (Fiona Crean, Ombudsman, City of Toronto; Douglas Melville, Ombudsman & CEO, Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments; Laura Watts, CEO, Social and Enterprise Development Innovations and former National Director, Canadian Centre for Elder Law)

Post Conference Workshop (additional fee) – How to Write a Good Report (Cheryl Stephens, author and leader in the field of plain language communications Vancouver, BC)

Priority registration ends April 15, 2011. (FCO/ACCUO 2011 Conf. Info.)