Honourable senators, I rise to pay tribute to the work of Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé and his team, two of whom are with us today: Deputy Ombudsman Barbara Finlay; and Diana Cooke, Director of the Children and Youth Unit.

I first connected with Ombudsman Dubé after hearing about his time in Neskantaga First Nation. Mr. Dubé made the trip after Chief Gary Quisess issued an open invite for folks to witness the needs of his community.

Mr. Dubé doesn’t make a secret of the impact of that trip. Over two days, he had time to witness some of the difficulties that people experience in Neskantaga. We’ve talked about some of them here already: a decades-old boil water advisory, a closed nursing station and an arena without ice to play on. These challenges are not easily solved, but Mr. Dubé did the work of shining a light and of building relationship.

The work of the ombudsman is so important. It is vital to democracy. When an Ontarian reaches out to Mr. Dubé’s office, they’re seeking help in holding powerful institutions accountable. They’re often reaching out when they’re at their most vulnerable.

Here are just two examples of recent cases.

In the first, an incarcerated individual reached out about a rapidly approaching court date. He was scheduled to appear in court in person, but the courthouse was a 15-hour drive away, and facility staff had not made travel arrangements to get him to court. After the ombudsman’s office intervened, arrangements were made to ensure the individual could make it to his scheduled court appearance.

In the second, a mother called in a complete panic after receiving a notice that her power was going to be cut off the next day. She was worried about her daughter, who has special needs that require leaving the light on all night. The mediation service was able to intervene with the two administrative institutions to resolve the problem and stop the power from being turned off.

The ombudsman’s work is crucial. Here’s how Mr. Dubé described it to me: “Our power is in our voice.”

I think his power is also in listening by hearing people out when they feel they have nowhere else to turn and reminding people — in what may be their darkest hour — that they matter. Ombudspeople like Mr. Dubé remind institutions that humans are at the heart of our work. It’s a message I’ll continue to hold close.

Colleagues, please join me in thanking Mr. Dubé, his team and individuals like them who are working across this country to keep Canadians front and centre in all that we do.

Thank you. Nia:wen.