The Way Forward

Table of Contents

• Letter to the Minister
• Introduction
  • Public Policy Parameters
  • Reporting of Ombudsman
  • Terms of Employment
  • Core Jurisdiction and Mandate
  • Core Constituency
  • Methodology for the Consultation
  • General Approach and Layout of the Action Plan
• Evolution of the Office of the DND/CF Ombudsman
  • From Concept to Reality
  • Somalia – 1993
  • Report on the Study of Mechanisms of Voice / Complaint Resolution in the Canadian Forces - The Doshen Paper #1 – November 1995
  • Proposed Implementation Plan - Organizational Ombudsman - The Doshen Paper #2 – July 1996
  • Abandoning of the Ombudsman Concept
  • Recommendations of the Special Advisory Group on Military Justice and Military Police Investigation Services in The Dickson Report – March 1997
  • The Young Report – March 1997
  • Dishonoured Legacy: The Lessons of the Somalia Affair – June 1997
  • A Commitment to Change – October 1997
  • Appointment of the Ombudsman – June 1998
• Ombudsman Models
  • Civilian
  • Classical Ombudsmen
  • Concept
  • Illustrations
  • Organizational Ombudsmen
  • Unempowered Ombudsmen
  • Empowered Organizational Ombudsmen
  • Military
  • Classical Ombudsmen
  • United States Inspector General
  • Parliamentary Commissioner for the German Armed Forces
  • Australian Defence Force Ombudsman
  • Norwegian Ombudsman for the Armed Forces
  • Swedish Ombudsman
  • Organizational Ombudsmen
  • Czech Republic Armed Forces Ombudsman
  • Netherlands Armed Forces Inspector General
  • Israeli Defence Force Soldiers' Complaints Commissioner
  • Analysis
• A Blueprint for an Effective and Credible DND/CF Ombudsman
  • Independance and Impartiality
  • Principle
  • Implementation
  • Relationship between the Ombudsman and the MND
  • Funding
  • Staffing
  • Independent Legal Advice
  • Delegation of Powers
  • Immunities
  • Confidentiality
  • Principle
  • General
  • Impact on Operations
  • Implementation
  • Internal Issues
  • External Issues
  • Analysis
• A Credible Review and Investigative Process
  • Access to the Ombudsman's Office
  • Constituency, Core Jurisdiction and Mandate
  • Mechanisms of Access And Initial Contact
  • Regional Representation
  • The Mandate
  • Preliminary Involvement
  • Information, Referral and Education
  • Ombudsman’s Exercise of Discretion
  • Sufficient Personal Interest
  • Use of Existing Mechanisms
  • Public Interest Test
  • Frivolous, Trivial or Vexatious Complaints
  • Mandate Invoked
  • General
  • Special
  • Operating Framework
  • Low Level Ombudsmanry
  • Investigations
  • Protection from Reprisal
  • Malicious or Vexatious Complaints
  • Obstruction
  • Reporting
  • Informal Barometer
  • Annual Report
  • Special Reports
  • Review of Implementation of Recommendations
• Conclusion
• Appendix I - Recommendations
• Appendix II - Consultations and Briefings
• Appendix III - DND/CF Complaint Resolution Mechanisms
• Appendix IV - Comparitive Study of Selected Ombudsmen Models and Other Similar Agencies - Comparitive Study of Selected Juridictions
• Appendix V - DND/CF Ombudsman's Staff
• Appendix VI - List of Abbreviations and Acronyms
• Bibliography