Statement by Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic on International Ombuds Day

October 9, 2025  - Ottawa, Ontario

Alexander Jeglic, Procurement Ombud, made the following statement on Ombuds Day :

“Ombuds Day is an important reminder of the vital role Ombuds play in the lives of Canadians. While each office may have a different mandate, we are united by a shared mission: to promote fairness, foster openness and transparency, and resolve complaints and disputes.

Now more than ever, we must protect these values here in Canada, and that begins with ensuring Canadians can trust the governments that serve them. Ombuds help build that trust by providing citizens with a place to voice concerns, seek solutions, and ultimately hold governments accountable.

In my role as Procurement Ombud, I ensure that both federal buyers and Canadian suppliers have a neutral, independent place to turn when procurement and contracting issues arise. My office investigates complaints, provides dispute resolution services to help parties get back to business, and conducts systemic reviews of procurement practices to recommend improvements.

When I was reappointed to this role in 2023, I committed to engaging directly with Canadians to hear their perspectives on what is and isn’t working in federal procurement, and to explore how we can both ensure fairness for businesses and deliver best value for taxpayers.

Ombuds are uniquely positioned to drive change because we bring a broad, impartial view of what’s happening on all sides. To this end, my office recently called for critical changes in federal procurement and published a paper entitled Time for Solutions: Top 5 Foundational Changes Needed in Federal Procurement, which sets out actionable solutions to address longstanding challenges in the system.

On Ombuds Day, I encourage Canadians to learn about the many Ombuds offices available to support them and to reach out when they encounter issues. Ombuds serve as a trusted source to promote fairness and ensure accountability, and it is important that Canadians know that this resource is here for them.”