Environment Canada Posts Review of Ombuds Program

Environment and Climate Change Canada (Environnement et Changement climatique Canada), the Canadian department of environmental policies and programs, has published a comprehensive review of its Respect Bureau. Established in 2018, the Respect Bureau serves as ECCC’s Organizational Ombuds office, serving 7,000 employees. Corinne Boudreault is the founding Ombuds and Director. The department recently completed an assessment of the Respect Bureau's effectiveness over a four-year period. 

The report provides a roadmap for the creation of a governmental Ombuds program. The executive summary provides this conclusion: 

During the 4-year period covered in this report, ECCC’s Respect Bureau activities have been implemented to foster and support the promotion of a respectful workplace. A governance structure has been established, with a terms of reference document and clear reporting relationship to the Deputy Ministers. In addition, partners are identified and being leveraged to support the delivery of the Respect Bureau’s mandate. Officials are undertaking communication and outreach activities, which are important elements in supporting mandate achievement. The Respect Bureau is meeting its mandate, and Ombuds Standards of practice and processes and tools are in place to support service delivery. 

Other members of the office include:

• Brigitte Bertrand, Senior Conflict Management Practitioner; 
• Céline E. Bérubé, Junior Practitioner; 
• Monica Dube, Senior Conflict Management Practitioner; 
• Caroline Proulx, Senior Conflict Management Practitioner; 
• Susie Roussel, Associate Ombuds; and 
• Manon-Isabelle Vallieres, Senior Advisor to the Ombuds.

Review of the ECCC Respect Bureau; LinkedIn; Department Listing.)