Breadcrumb trail

  1. Home;
  2. Make a Complaint;
  3. What type of complaints we take;

What type of complaints we take

When should I contact the Office of the Federal Ombudsman of Crime?

The OFOVC can review most complaints relating to federal departments, laws and services that apply to victims of crime.

In most cases, the first step is to work with the government office to see if you can work out a fair solution to the problem.

Here are some steps you can take to try and resolve a problem:

  • Ask the government office to give reasons for their decision;
  • Ask to speak to a manager; and,
  • Find out if there is a complaints process.

Federal departments, agencies or bodies with complaints processes include:

If you have not taken these steps, we may ask you to do so. If you do not know who to talk to, you are welcome to contact us. We may be able to help by identifying other options available to you. Contact us.

We cannot take complaints about:

  • Recommendations made by the Correctional Service of Canada to the Parole Board of Canada or any provincial board;
  • Decision of the Parole Board of Canada or any provincial parole board;
  • Decision of the Correctional Service of Canada as to whether or not to transfer an inmate to another penitentiary or authorize a release, including a work release and escorted or unescorted temporary absences;
  • Any court decision, or decisions of judges or justices of the peace;
  • Any decision whether or not to prosecute;
  • Confidences of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada;
  • Legal advice provided to the Government of Canada;
  • Provincial compensation;
  • Police investigations;
  • Violations of provincial victims' rights legislations;

The Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime does not oversee provincial matters relating to victim support services. If you are not sure whether your complaint falls within our mandate, don't worry. If we cannot address your complaint directly, we will gladly point you in the right direction and connect you with the appropriate agency or service provider. Contact us.