Albertans have reached out in record numbers about “administrative unfairness” this past year, according to a report from the Alberta Ombudsman. Ombudsman Keven Brezinski’s report said the 6,472 total cases represented a 15 per cent increase over last year. Of those, 3,134 were complaints – up 41 per cent from the previous year. “This year, we saw the most cases in recent history. Over the last four years, complaints have increased 114 per cent,” Brezinski said in the report. The Government of Alberta incurred the largest share of complaints, with 1,398 filed across five ministries. Municipalities incurred 271 complaints, with Edmonton and Calgary representing 102 of those. The Alberta Ombudsman is a non-partisan independent body that oversees administrative fairness from 700 entities, including provincial and municipal governments, as well as health colleges and other professional authorities. Case studies offered included: Brezinski said, regarding complaints, that it found bodies acted fairly in about 60 per cent of cases. In the 30 per cent where they haven’t, he added, he makes recommendations or investigators work to resolve the complaint. The report said 2025-2026 was the third consecutive fiscal year in which the office received a record-setting number of complaints, which could be partly due to a growing population and increasing awareness around the complaint process. “I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon, and it’s not a bad thing that people are reaching out to us either,” Brezinski said. “If Albertans have the trust in us that they can actually come to us and ask for advice, or actually investigate their complaint, and we find that it’s fine, that’s a good thing.” Despite the increase in cases, the report said 94 per cent were closed within three months, similar to previous years. To file a complaint with the Ombudsman, visit the online complaint checker, which Brezinski said makes sure complaints get to the right place.
