Bill C-261 (Historical)

Pension Ombudsman Act

An Act to establish the office of Pension Ombudsman to investigate administrative difficulties encountered by persons in their dealings with the Government of Canada in respect of benefits under the Canada Pension Plan or the Old Age Security Act or tax liability on such benefits and to review the policies and practices applied in the administration and adjudication of such benefits and liabilities

The purpose of this enactment is to establish the office of Pension Ombudsman, whose function is to assist persons dealing with the Government of Canada in respect of benefits under the Canada Pension Plan or the Old Age Security Act or tax liabilities thereon in cases where they are dealt with unfairly or unreasonably or with unreasonable delay. The Ombudsman may investigate complaints and report on complaints that are not satisfactorily resolved. The reports may be to the relevant minister as to the specific details of complaints, or in general terms to a standing committee of the House of Commons.
The Ombudsman may propose changes in the way the public is served in these matters with respect to fairness, reasonableness and promptness.
If the relevant department fails to improve its policies and practices at the suggestion of the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman may make a report to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development or to the Minister of National Revenue, and the report must then be laid before Parliament.

Pension Ombudsman Act

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-261, An Act to establish the office of Pension Ombudsman to investigate administrative difficulties encountered by persons in their dealings with the Government of Canada in respect of benefits under the Canada Pension Plan or the Old Age Security Act or tax liability on such benefits and to review the policies and practices applied in the administration and adjudication of such benefits and liabilities.

Mr. Speaker, there is not too much more I wish to add except to say that many MPs will recognize the need for some sort of further advocate for their constituents who get frustrated by the adjudication or the administration of the Canada pension plan, old age security, the guaranteed income supplement and, most critically, the Canada pension plan disability chapter, which most Canadians find horrendous to try to deal with.

This would create the office of an ombudsman who would be able to advocate on behalf of those individuals. It would be a resource for the offices of members of Parliament, who would be able to refer their constituents to the office of the ombudsman for help and support.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)