Requests to Saskatchewan Ombudsman rise for second year

By Your Southwest Media Group

Requests for assistance to Saskatchewan’s Ombudsman increased for the second year in a row, according to the office’s 2025 annual report.

The annual reports from Saskatchewan’s Ombudsman and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner Sharon Pratchler were tabled in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly.

Pratchler’s office received 4,612 requests for assistance from the public in 2025. Of those, 3,756 were within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction and 856 were outside it. The total represents a 13 per cent increase from 2024.

Pratchler said her office continues to focus on improving the delivery of government programs and services through outreach, education and coaching.

“The goal of our office is to focus on continuous improvement in the delivery of government programs and services. This ensures the best possible experience for members of the public who need to access the programs,” she said.

The office also created a new position focused on proactive engagement and capacity building. The report says demand for that work was strong, with staff travelling 70,715 kilometres in 2025 for municipal and other outreach.

The report also highlights the importance of procedural fairness in decision-making. It outlines six areas decision-makers should consider when making and communicating decisions.

The reports are available at ombudsman.sk.ca/resources/annual-reports/.