We are always referred to the ombudsman for all sorts of things. He is like our ultimate tool, and he becomes our advocate.
In my case, I called and asked for help because I owed Manulife $25,000 after I bought a business to help me, in addition to helping my colleagues and the company with mental health issues. I was told that they were sorry, but many of the items in my file weren't accepted and others were. I asked what he meant, as I was talking about the $25,000 owed to Manulife, while I was being told the details of my case. The individual on the other end of the phone said that he was also a military veteran and that we weren't being helped. He told me that I had to manage on my own and that I just had to fill out my application.
Fortunately, I had spoken with my Veterans Affairs Canada worker the day before, and she told me that since fibromyalgia was not yet recognized by the forces, it could not be included in my reintegration program. That was the negative aspect of my situation. However, the next day, the employee from the ombudsman's office presented this to me like a huge barrier. Honestly, that day, if I had been in a bad situation or in a depressive phase, as I sometimes am, I would have killed myself because I was in such a state. He confused me so much instead of helping me that I was no longer in control of myself.
I had to validate the facts again with my counsellor. She told me that this was exactly what we had talked about the day before. I then told her that at the ombudsman's office I had just been told something else.
This individual is supposed to be a military veteran. Maybe we should be careful about who is hired and their ability to help people.
It really wasn't pleasant.