Where to Get Help or Make a Complaint About Government Programs and Services

If you feel that you have not been treated fairly when applying for the EIA program or when receiving services, you can reach out for help with the Fair Practices Office. The Fair Practices Office (FPO) provides confidential assistance to individuals and families applying for or receiving services from the Department of Families’ programs, who feel they have not been treated fairly – including addressing concerns with the EIA program.

You can also appeal decisions made about EIA eligibility and benefits. The Social Service Appeal Board reviews appeals related to eligibility to the Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities program and other programs offered by the Department of Families.

You can also consult the Community Unemployed Help Centre, which provides information, assistance, advice, and representation for individuals dealing with the federal government’s Employment Insurance program and Manitoba’s Employment and Income Assistance program. Their services are free of charge!

If you need information your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, or if you’re having a disagreement with your landlord, contact the Manitoba Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB). The RTB enforces the Residential Tenancies Act, which are designed to protect both tenants and landlords. The RTB provides information, conducts investigations, and works with landlords and tenants to resolve disputes. They can help you with information on:

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact:

We expect the Manitoba government, other public bodies and trustees to act in a fair, open, and transparent manner. What if you believe they haven’t?

The Manitoba Ombudsman can investigate your complaint about access to information and privacy matters, the fairness of provincial government actions or decisions, or serious ‘wrongdoings’ that you believe may have occurred.

The Manitoba Ombudsman is an independent office of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and is not part of any government department or agency. The Ombudsman conducts independent, impartial, and non-partisan investigations.

General office email: ombudsman@ombudsman.mb.ca

In Thompson:

Suite 1720, City Centre Mall, 300 Mystery Lake Road, Thompson, MB R8N 0M2

Phone: (204) 677-7270

The Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) works to try to hold Corrections Services Canada accountable for the fair and humane treatment of people serving federal sentences.  This is done by drawing attention to human rights obligations and federal law.  

First Nations people are overrepresented in Canadian prisons. OCI reports have identified  systemic barriers and poor outcomes for First Nations people under federal sentence.

Who Can Make a Complaint?

• Federally sentenced individuals (offenders), incarcerated or in the community;
• An offender on behalf of another offender; and
• Family and friends on behalf of an offender.

The Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime (OFOVC) is an independent resource for victims in Canada. The Office was created to ensure the federal government meets its responsibilities to victims of crime.

Victims can contact the Office to learn more about their rights under federal law and the services available to them, or to make a complaint about any federal agency or federal legislation dealing with victims of crime. Where appropriate, the Ombudsperson may also make recommendations to the federal government.

Email the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime

Call 1-866-481-8429

Other ways to contact the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime  

The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC) is an independent agency that receives complaints from the public and conducts reviews when people are not satisfied with the RCMP’s handling of their complaints. The Commission is not part of the RCMP.

More information can be found in the Complaint Process: Frequently Asked Questions.

Complaints can be made:

Online: Complete and submit the online complaint form (This online form cannot be e-mailed.)

By Fax: Print and complete the complaint form in PDF and fax the completed form 613-952-8045.

By Mail: Print and complete the complaint form in PDF and mail the completed form to:

Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP
National Intake Office
P.O. Box 1722, Station B
Ottawa, ON K1P 0B3

The Office of the Veterans Ombud (OVO) reviews complaints, and challenges the policies and decisions of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) where there is individual or systemic unfairness. The OVO strives to be an independent and respected voice for fairness and a champion for the well-being of Veterans and their families.

Would you like information about how to solve an issue? Tried to solve a problem with VAC but still have concerns?

Contact the OCO and they can:

• help you access the programs and services you are entitled to.
• work with VAC to find solutions and make improvements.
• identify system improvements when a problem has a larger impact, to reduce problems for others in the future.

Online complaint form

Submit your inquiry or complaint, start the process here.

Contact the OVO

Toll Free: 1-877-330-4343

The Manitoba Human Rights Commission (MHRC) is an independent agency of the Government of Manitoba and is responsible for administering The Human Rights Code.

The MHRC is responsible for promoting human rights principles and educating the public about the rights and responsibilities in The Code. The MHRC is also responsible for administering a complaint process. Theytake complaints of discrimination, investigate them, and determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant a public hearing of the complaint.

The MHRC also offer mediation at various stages in the complaint process to give parties an opportunity to try and resolve their complaint without the need for a hearing.

EMAIL: hrc@gov.mb.ca

If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment you may be able to file a complaint with The Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC). There is helpful information here to understand if the CHRC is the right place to make a complaint, or whether there is a better option.

You may send a question, requests for information or comments by e-mail. Please note that due to the volume of requests received, there may be a delay before you receive a response.

Phone
Toll Free: 1-888-214-1090
Phone: 613-995-1151
TTY: 1-888-643-3304
Fax: 613-996-9661
VRS: For Canadians who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired, access can be achieved via their own interpreter or via Canada VRS, which provides an interpreter.

Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)