7Report from Q ueen' s Park f:rç By THIE HON. GEORGE ASIlE. MPP (PC - Durham West) Ontario Minister of Revenue "Ombudsmnan" is a Swedish word of long and honourable tradition, meaning a protector or defender of citizens' rights. Ontario has had an Ombudsman since 1975. That was the J year the Ontario Legisiature passed The Ombudsman Act, which among other things states that the Ombudsman is to be appointed by the legislature and is accounitabie directly to the Legislature, rather than through a ministry of the gover- nment. Once a year the Ombudsman submits a formai report to the legisiature on his work, and this report is reviewed by an all-party committee of the legisiature, known as the Select Committee on the Omnbudsman. In the course 0f running any government, there are bound to be times when some citizens feel they have been treated unfairly. Their complaints rnay arise through some action that has been taken (or neglected) by any branch of the government, elected or appointed. Sornetimes complaints are based on simple misunderstan- dings of government procedures or individuai rights. Other cases arise from serious injustices that should be remedied. Whatever the cause, people's complaints deserve con- sideration. In Ontario, complaints about the Provincial governiment may be investigated by the Ombudsman. Under the power given to him by the legislature, the Omn- budsman and his staff can investigate your complaint thoroughly and weigh ail the relevant facts impartially. If one of his recommendations is ignored, by a branch of the provincial government, he can take the matter to the premier or the legisiature. In other words, he can use a lot of persuasion in the right places. There are some kinds of probiems the Ombudsman cannot deal with. For instance, being an Ontario off iciai, he cannot deal with federal matters such as postal service or unem- ployment insurance cheques), or municipal government problems (such as garbage collection or by-law enfor- cernent). Sorne provincial matters too, are necessarsily beyond bis power, such as courts and judges. Even so, the Ombudsman's work does encompass a wide range of concer- nis such as workrnen's compensation, OHIP, famîly benefits, retail sales tax, and rnany others. If you have an unresoived complaint and aren't sure whether it falîs within the Ontario Ombudsman's scope of duties, it is a good idea to inquire anyway. Someone of the Ornbudsrnan's staff will tell you whether he can be of service in your case. WVilIItI3Y FRIA:L{ I'lSSW\LI)N LSl\Y. API L 22, Il')81,.PAGEI 1I3 Omibuds man here to help It's best to think 0f the Omnbudsmnan as a last resori, the tario Legislature to protect and defend your rights. If all person who tries to help you after ail other approaches have other avenues have failed, take your complaint or problern to fi1arlpd Vn, nav filea rnmnlaint with his office hv teletnhone. him. letter or personai visit, to the Office of the Ornbudsman, 125 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario MSS 2C27, If the Ombudsman investigates a complaint for you, he will provide you with a complete report. Regardless of the out- corne of this investigation, there is no fee charged. And you can be sure that no matter what the complaint, it wvill be received in confidence, as a private matter between you and the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman's office is open from 9 arn. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, but you can telephone at any hour and leave a message. A staff member will get back to you as quickly as possible. The office of the Ombudsman has been set up by the On- $10,000 theft Approximately $10,000 in cash, cheques and credit card receipts were taken iast week when thieves eut through a fence, forced en- try through a window and broke into a safe at White Rose Nursery. According to police, at least two persons were in- volved in the theft at 1243 Dundas Street East, driiling through the back of the safe to force it open. Evidence, including two pairs of gloves, were found at the scene. Serial IGAX6855BT162199 Stock 8 1-502 _ _ _ _ _ 4-DOOR HATCHBACK 4 cyl.-4speed-powor steering-power brakes - rally wheels-whlte wals- eIectric defroster -sport mirrors-floor mats SUGGESTED RETAIL DISCOUNT '850-7 9.5 0 $491.«50 SALE PRICE $8O88 Offer Good Until Apuil 3lstt 81 GMAC Financing Avalable to Qualif ied Purchasers at 14.2% Plus 0.5.1. & Li C. 'I COMPLETE *j*zii SERVICE IN OUR MODERN SERVICE DEPARTMENT Keep your car running like new with our ~ Guaranteed Service WM Guaranteed Price Guaranteed GM Partsl Our 14-point lune up makes the most of your mileage MAKE AN APPOINTMENTN 0W SPECIALS Transmison Service $2 1.95 Pals Extra Front End Algnment $18.95 Pu Extra MODERN PAINT AND BODYSHOP FACILITIES CHEVHOLLET ~OWSOIaFCHEV-OLDS KINSALE &HWY 7 é? SONS BROOK LIN 655-3351 683-4091 lm