Case Stories
Improving the Municipal Code for Fair Access to Rebate Programs
The City of Toronto offers a Water Rebate Program to low-income seniors and low-income persons with a disability who consume only a small amount of water each year. Ms. J contacted our office after she was deemed ineligible for the program, even though she received the Federal Disability Tax Credit, indicating that she was a person with a disability.
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Reviewing a Parking Ticket Dispute
Ms. W got a parking ticket, which she challenged at a screening meeting and then at a hearing at the Administrative Penalty Tribunal, without success. She was unsatisfied with the process and with responses she got from the Tribunal and their lawyers to her complaints.
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Helping a Refugee Family with Immunization Records
A refugee family settled in Toronto and registered their children at the local school. On the first day, they learned that they had been suspended because they had no proof of immunization.
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Ensuring Transparency in Staff Reports to City Council
City Council and its committees often ask staff to prepare reports on a wide range of topics, and to bring those reports back to them for consideration. We had noticed that often, those reports were late. Some of them seemed to never appear.
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Following Up on a TTC Wheel Trans Drop-Off Error
TTC’s Wheel-Trans service dropped off a nonverbal young woman with special needs at the wrong location. She was supposed to meet her parents at a dental office for an appointment. When she did not show up, they were extremely worried.
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Ending an Unfair (and Unlawful) Practice in City Long-Term Care Homes
Concerned that City of Toronto Long-Term Care Homes were requiring some residents who had Substitute Decision Makers to sign an agreement to act as a guarantor for the resident’s fees, we started an Enquiry.
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Securing Space in a Shelter
Mr. C was staying in a downtown City-run shelter. He got a two-night pass to visit his family in Quebec over the holidays. On the way back, he was caught in a storm and his travels were delayed – he would not be able to arrive at the shelter until several hours after the pass deadline.
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Clearing Up Confusion: A Natural Garden Exemption
Ms. T’s front yard garden contained native plants and wildflowers to attract pollinators. However, every year a neighbour complained about long grass and weeds in Ms. T’s garden and MLS always responded by sending Ms. T a warning letter, giving her the option of either trimming the grasses and plants or applying for a “Natural Garden Exemption”. Every year, Ms. T had to remind MLS about her exemption and ask them to send an expert to assess her natural garden.
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Referring Someone to the Right Place
Mr. H came to Ombudsman Toronto after seeking help at Legal Aid and the courts. A driver had struck and injured his partner. Their insurance company was not returning calls, then sent him a notice to attend court on a date when his partner was out of the country.
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Clarifying and Communicating Suspension and Ban Policies
Mr. B complained that Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PF&R) unfairly suspended him from all of its programs and facilities for one year.
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