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31st Annual Rapport of the Québec Ombudsman (2000–2001)

"The Citizen Always Comes First"

The Québec ombudsman reiterates the public's right to quality services

Québec City, November 13, 2001 – Today, Ms. Pauline Champoux-Lesage, the Québec Ombudsman, tabled the 31 st Annual Report of the Québec Ombudsman for the 2000-2001 fiscal year at the National Assembly.

Ms. Champoux-Lesage, who took office on January 3, 2001, believes that the citizens of Québec are entitled to demand quality services from the public administration, and she will ensure that this principle is respected.

The Québec Ombudsman emphasizes that the public administration exists by and for its citizens. She will therefore ensure that relations between the Administration and citizens are transparent and respectful. In this way, she will seek to find improved forms of co-operation with departments and agencies in order to define ways of preventing and redressing injustices. As well, she plans to exercise constant monitoring of legislative activity so as to advise the government during the draft of proposed bills in order to ensure that citizens' welfare is taken into account.

In addition, in an effort to continue to improve the quality of services dispensed to citizens, Ms. Champoux-Lesage intends to help develop efficient complaint offices within the departments and agencies that provide direct services to the public. To this end, a reference tool will be placed at their disposal this fall. The Québec Ombudsman hopes that the public administration will develop the reflex of being attentive to citizens and that it will define avenues for improvement that will benefit the majority.

Moreover, Ms. Champoux-Lesage stresses that even the best programs and regulations may encounter obstacles when they are implemented or applied. For this reason, she wishes to assure citizens that they can rely on her support in finding fair, equitable solutions to their requests.

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