The Essentials for Ombuds is a five-day intensive training collaboration between the Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and Osgoode Professional Development.
The authoritative course for today’s Ombuds and similar investigating and dispute resolution roles.
Now in its 13th iteration, this unique program, both comprehensive and in-depth, is intended to meet the needs of recent appointees to the Ombuds role or Office, as well as providing those with more experience an opportunity to become conversant with both the theory and practice of the Ombuds role, wherever it is located.
You will develop a deeper understanding of the requirements and expectations for Ombuds by exploring and examining the myriad of evolving issues and challenges facing those who practice in the Ombuds field today, and by reviewing best practices of Ombuds across the country.
What You’ll Learn
You will get practical tips and strategies on key areas including:
The initial handling of concerns and complaints
Effective early resolution techniques
Inquiries and investigations (gathering and assessing evidence, developing cooperative resolution techniques and preparing case summaries)
Trend analysis and own motion investigations
Choice of path – assessing the issues and possible paths
Dealing with human rights complaints against the Ombudsman and/or Ombudsman staff
Coping with difficult people: handling disrespect, anger or rage
Developing recommendations and appropriate remedies
Elisabeth Wilson
Chief of Staff, Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise
“The whole program was very well organized and super pertinent to the issues, challenges (and opportunities) all ombuds offices face in one form or another. Excellent choice of speakers!”
Who Should Attend
Assistant/Deputy Ombuds, and Directors in Ombuds officers
Early Resolution Staff
Ombuds (working in legislated roles or in public and private sector organizations or associations established by policy, Charter, Order-in-Council, etc.)
Investigators/Senior Investigators in an Ombuds context
Legal or other specialized counsel to Ombuds Offices
Conflict Resolution Staff working in an Ombuds context
Dispute Resolution Officers
Fairness Commissioners / Fairness Practitioners
Integrity Commissioners
Citizens’ Representatives
Complaint-handling staff in both private and public sector organizations
Public Editors (at newspapers and other media outlets)
Agenda
View the 2023 program brochure and agenda. A new detailed brochure and agenda will be available soon.
Barbara Finlay, Deputy Ombudsman, Province of Ontario
Jane Griesdorf, The Writing Consultants
Dr. Katy Kamkar, Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Program / Work, Stress and Health Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Lynn Lavallée, Strategic Lead, Indigenous Resurgence Faculty of Community Services and Professor, School of Social Work, Toronto Metropolitan University
Shirley R. Nakata, Ombudsperson, Students University of British Columbia
David Paradiso, Deputy Ombudsperson, Office of the British Columbia Ombudsperson
Sophie Petrillo, Ombudsman, Hydro One
Dr. Nancy Poole, Director, Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health, Sessional Instructor, Justice Institute of British Columbia
Rachel Warren, Executive Director, Intake and Investigation, Office of the British Columbia Ombudsperson
Mitch MacDonald
Program Review Analyst, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman
“All of the speakers were very knowledgeable and the organizers were on top of everything. I felt the days ran really smoothly. Bravo to everyone involved!”
Substitution of registrants is permitted at any time. If you are unable to find a substitute, a full refund is available if a cancellation request is received in writing 21 days prior to the program date. If a cancellation request is made with less than 21 days notice, a $150.00 administration fee will apply. No other refund is available.
We will make every effort to present the program as advertised, but it may be necessary to change the date, location, speakers or content with little or no notice. In the event of program cancellation, York University’s and Osgoode Hall Law School’s liability is limited to reimbursement of paid fees.
As law evolves, we know how important it is to stay up to date. We also understand the financial implications of continuously upgrading your professional skills and knowledge. For more information on available options, including Job Grants, OSAP, please visit:
To receive the Osgoode/FCO Certificate, you must attend all program days and successfully complete an online assessment within 30 days of the last module.
CPD and Accreditation
OsgoodePD is an accredited provider with the LSO, the Law Society of BC and NY CLE Board. Select your location to view the eligible hours you may claim.
Are you a law graduate or an executive/senior professional with at least 5 years of specialized experience? Consider a full-time or part-time LLM degree.
Stay competitive with deep dives into the most critical issues in law. Taught by leading experts and designed for flexible learning, choose from multi-day programs or take courses at your own pace to build towards a certificate.
Do you have an LLB/JD? Consider taking a single LLM course for deeper learning in a specific area of practice – all credits will apply towards a Professional LLM.
Once a program reaches capacity, a waitlist will be created. This does not guarantee your registration in the program; however, it places you on a priority contact list. If any spots become available, you may be notified by email or phone to confirm if you would like to proceed with the registration. Once contacted, you will typically be given 24 hours to confirm your interest. If you do not confirm interest within the provided timeframe, you will be removed from the waitlist and the next person will be contacted.
A selection of our Certificates are eligible for OSAP funding.
Please note the following exceptions that may affect OSAP funding eligibility for our certificates:
Students receiving Second Career funding for a micro-credential during their study period are ineligible;
Although grants will not be converted to loans, a grant may become repayable if a student withdraws, is determined to be overpaid in grant funding, or income cannot be verified within one year;
A student cannot receive OSAP for micro-credential assistance for their study period if it overlaps with another micro-credential study period in which they are concurrently receiving OSAP for micro-credential funding. However, students may overlap their micro-credential study period with a study period that is part of a different full- or part-time program that they are concurrently receiving funding for through Full-Time OSAP or Part-Time OSAP, provided that OSAP funding was not assessed for the micro-credential course(s) through a Full-Time or Part-Time OSAP application.
NOTE: In order to obtain access to the program, full payment is required at least 1 business day prior to the first module of the program.
Job Grants
The Canada-Ontario Job grant may be applicable to employers seeking to train their staff. To find out if your organization is eligible for the grant and the program you wish to enrol in qualifies, visit: The MTCU Canada-Ontario Job Grant page
Many of our programs include 120-day unlimited, online access to view the recorded program. See the program page or brochure to find out if the program you’re interested in includes this access. If you need more time to view the content, or have questions about the access, please email: OPDSupport@osgoode.yorku.ca.
Our programs are typically offered once annually, around the same time each year; however, there are a few exceptions where certain programs are offered multiple times throughout the year (i.e. The Certificate in Adjudication). To receive updates on all our new and upcoming program offerings, please click here to subscribe to our email list.
If the program includes access to the recording, you will have unlimited online access to the recorded content for 120-days from the end date of the program.
Access is only for the registered delegate. In the event of misuse, access can be revoked.
CPD hours for each program can be found on the program web page and program brochure. For questions regarding CPD hours, please email cpd@osgoode.yorku.ca
A limited amount of financial assistance is available for OsgoodePD Programs unless specific bursary information appears on the program page/program brochure. Head to our Financial Assistance page for more information.
Yes. We do offer group rates on our programs. Please visit our group rate page for more information. Some exceptions apply, and rates are subject to change.
Our Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs, ranging from one-hour briefings to more intensive certificate programs, are for all professionals. There are no general prerequisites for these programs; however, individual programs often have specific requirements to register. These are noted on individual program pages and .pdf brochures.
