An ombudsman is an independent official who investigates complaints about government administration, ensuring fair treatment of citizens by public institutions. Federal and provincial ombudsmen examine complaints about their respective governments, investigating whether decisions were made fairly and in accordance with policies. Some municipalities have their own ombudsmen or access provincial ombudsman services. Ombudsmen can investigate complaints, recommend remedies, and report publicly on systemic issues, but typically cannot overturn decisions or order compensation. The ombudsman function provides accountability mechanism beyond courts, offering accessible complaint resolution for citizens who believe they were treated unfairly by government agencies.