The long and unseemly process of replacing Ontario’s ombudsman was finally resolved with all parties at Queen’s Park agreeing, this past week, to hire Paul Dubé.

It’s fair to ask, Paul who?

Despite his six years of service as the country’s first federal taxpayers’ ombudsman, most Canadians have never heard of the man. Considered competent but low-key, his style presents quite a contrast with that of Ontario’s previous ombudsman – the flamboyant and often-bombastic André Marin.

That’s not to say the new hire is wrong for the job. Marin, in some ways, went too far, especially by repeatedly indulging in reckless online statements.

Dubé is unlikely to repeat that pattern. But Ontarians have come to expect — and indeed deserve — a bold and aggressive ombudsman who will hold the government to account. And that can mean making a splash. After all, the ombudsman has no power to order a rogue government to do anything. The role of the office is to investigate a problem and recommend solutions. And the odds of delivering change go up when official shortcomings are highlighted in a compelling manner.

Marin excelled at that. During more than a decade in office, he effectively probed issues ranging from police abuses to faulty Hydro One billings and problems with disability support payments. Strong media coverage often generated reform.

There’s a lesson there for Dubé. He will take over as ombudsman on April 1, assuming an office with a mandate that was recently expanded to cover municipalities, universities and school boards, as well as Ontario government ministries, agencies and boards.

It’s a big job carrying heavy responsibility — Ontarians look to their ombudsman for protection from mistreatment by bureaucrats and politicians. It’s necessary for whoever does this work to be a vigilant watchdog, a tenacious advocate, and a bold voice ready to challenge authority.

Trained as a lawyer, Dubé played a similar role in Ottawa as the taxpayers’ ombudsman from 2008 to 2014. That job involved investigating complaints from taxpayers who felt they had been treated unfairly or unprofessionally. He appeared to do well, but Dubé will need to up his game if he is to satisfy Ontarians’ expectations, especially in sounding the alarm when people are mistreated.

It hasn’t been easy to get this far. Marin refused to go quietly, even launching an online campaign to keep his job. And parties at Queen’s Park couldn’t agree on a candidate, resulting in months of deadlock.

Thankfully, that’s been resolved and Ontario has a new watchdog. What’s important now is that he’s ready to bark loud and often.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Read more about: