Forum of Canadian Ombudsman Offers Certificate Program

FCO has partnered with Osgoode Hall Law School to offer "a comprehensive certificate program which explores the theory and practice of the Ombudsman/person role in an in-depth manner." The first certificate program will be offered September 16–20, 2013 at Osgoode Professional Development in downtown Toronto.
Here are the details:

Taught by a highly distinguished faculty of practising Ombuds, lawyers and academics from across Canada, all of whom are leaders in their field, the certificate program will give you the theory, knowledge and practical skills to competently and confidently handle day-to-day challenges as well as more complex issues. The teaching style is a mixture of lectures, group discussion and hands-on practical exercises, providing a rich, interactive learning format.

Topics include:

• Scope of today’s Ombudsman role: inquisitorial versus adversarial process
• Initial handling of concerns and complaints
• Choice of path – assessing the issues and possible paths
• Early resolution techniques
• Inquiries and investigations, including: information gathering and assessment of evidence; cooperative resolution techniques; and, preparation of case summaries
• Developing recommendations and appropriate remedies
• Trend analysis and own motion investigations
• Report writing: rationale for different types of reports, including annual reports and special reports; tools for writing an effective annual or special report
• “Speaking Truth to Power”: a roundtable panel discussion
• What’s next for Ombuds? – exploring future challenges and opportunities
• Dealing with Human Rights complaints against the Ombudsman and/or Ombudsman staff
• Coping with difficult people: handling disrespect, anger or rage
• Recognising and managing the impact of mental health symptoms in the
• Ombudsman’s practice

Faculty for the course will be:

• Kwame Addo, Director, Investigations& Conflict Resolution, Ombudsman City of Toronto 
• Raj Anand, Visiting Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University; Partner WeirFoulds LLP 
• Laura Bradbury, former Fair Practices Commissioner, WSIB 
• David B. Butt, Barrister 
• Kim Carter, Ombudsperson for British Columbia 
• Marlene Chumak, Assistant Ombudsman, Staff Ombuds Office, Scotiabank 
• Fiona Crean, City of Toronto Ombudsman 
• Ian Darling, Ombudsperson, Tarion Warranty Corporation 
• Garvin E. De Four, Assistant Ombudsperson, University of Toronto 
• J. Paul Dubé, Taxpayers’ Ombudsman 
• Nora Farrell, Ombudsperson, Ryerson University 
• Kevin Fenwick Q.C., Saskatchewan Ombudsman 
• Barry Fleming, Citizens’ Representative for Newfoundland and Labrador 
• Janet Leiper, The Integrity Commissioner, City of Toronto 
• The Hon. Sidney B. Linden, Ontario Conflict of Interest Commissioner 
• Sandra Morrison, Organizational Ombudsman Scotiabank, Toronto 
• Raymonde Saint-Germaine, The Québec Ombudsperson 
• Howard Sapers, The Correctional Investigator Canada 
• Johanne Savard, Ombudsman, City of Montreal 
• Lorne Sossin, Dean, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University 
• Sue Vandittelli, Ombudsman, Canadian Franchise Association; Ombudsman International Franchise Association

Osgoode, a top Canadian the law school, is part of York University. FCO is comprised of more than 450 private and corporate members from across Canada in government, private industry and higher education. (FCO Announcement; Osgoode Course Info.)

Post updated June 13, 2013, to include names of faculty.
  
Related posts: IOA Unveils Certification Program for Organizational Ombuds; Queen Margaret University is Creating a Center for Ombuds Training; FCO and ACCUO Post Agenda for 2013 Conference in Halifax; IOA Offers Ombuds Training in Phoenix.