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Policies & Procedures

Ombudsman Policies and Procedures

1. Statement of Roles and Responsibilites

2. Code of Ethics

3. Standards of Practice

 

1. STATEMENT OF ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has been created as an officer of the Council as an impartial, confidential and timely voice for safety within the sector.

The Forest Safety Ombudsman’s role and mandate

The Forest Safety Ombudsman has a mandate to:

Complaints may be made to the Forest Safety Ombudsman by:

The Forest Safety Ombudsman has the discretion to either accept, or to decline to act on, or discontinue investigation of an issue based on an initial assessment of the nature of the issue and a determination of whether or not it falls within the Forest Safety Ombudsman’s mandate.

Once accepted, the Forest Safety Ombudsman will employ procedures designed to resolve the issue or problem where possible, at the most appropriate level within the forest sector of British Columbia. The Forest Safety Ombudsman may attempt to resolve a matter based on the available evidence.

In the course of investigating issues, the Forest Safety Ombudsman has the authority to:

In responding to questions and complaints, the Forest Safety Ombudsman is required to employ fair and timely procedures that are in keeping with the principles of natural justice, and the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The Forest Safety Ombudsman’s independence and impartiality

The Forest Safety Ombudsman is free from interference in the legitimate performance of his or her duties as identified under role and mandate. The Forest Safety Ombudsman conducts his or her investigations and makes recommendations in an impartial manner, free from bias and free from real or apparent conflicts of interest. This impartiality does not, however, preclude the Forest Safety Ombudsman from developing an interest in securing changes that are deemed necessary as a result of the issues process, or from otherwise advocating on behalf of a complainant.

In order to ensure the Forest Safety Ombudsman has the requisite level of authority, the Forest Safety Ombudsman reports directly to the CEO. Additional safeguards to ensure the Forest Safety Ombudsman’s impartiality are provided through direct access to the BC Forest Safety Council’s Board of Directors. The Forest Safety Ombudsman may consult with the entire Board of Directors through the Board chair on significant issues, after first raising them with the CEO.

Appointment and qualifications of the Forest Safety Ombudsman

The Forest Safety Ombudsman is a person of recognized knowledge in the forest sector of British Columbia, who imparts the use of good judgment, objectivity, and integrity in problem solving and dispute resolution.

The appointment and termination of the Forest Safety Ombudsman is the joint responsibility of the CEO and the chair, Board of Directors. The Forest Safety Ombudsman may be removed from his or her office for "just cause". Just cause does not arise in the case of a disagreement over an investigation, recommendation or report made by the Forest Safety Ombudsman with respect to an issue or other type of investigation falling within his or her mandate.

The Forest Safety Ombudsman is an officer of the Council, and his or her terms and conditions of appointment are consistent with the Council’s contractual obligations.

Confidentiality

The Forest Safety Ombudsman is subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Thus, the Forest Safety Ombudsman is required to act in accordance with these legislative provisions. The Forest Safety Ombudsman is also required to ensure that all privacy mechanisms available under these pieces of legislation are fully utilized and safeguarded.

Limits on the Forest Safety Ombudsman's authority

There are limits on the Forest Safety Ombudsman officer's authority. The Forest Safety Ombudsman does not:

2. CODE OF ETHICS

The Forest Safety Ombudsman Office adheres to International Ombudsman Association code of ethics, which states the following:

3. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

The Forest Safety Ombudsman’s Office adheres to International Ombudsman Association standards of practice, which states the following:

 

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