Ombudsman

CORE investigation finds human rights abuse by Canadian mining company

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Organization, International trade, Hatu, Complaint, Ombudsman, Dynasty

OTTAWA, March 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sheri Meyerhoffer, the Canada Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), has concluded that a human rights abuse occurred at China’s Hatu Qi-2 mine, in which Dynasty Gold, a Canadian mining company based in Vancouver, holds a majority interest.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, March 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sheri Meyerhoffer, the Canada Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), has concluded that a human rights abuse occurred at China’s Hatu Qi-2 mine, in which Dynasty Gold, a Canadian mining company based in Vancouver, holds a majority interest.
  • The Ombudsperson has recommended to the Minister of International Trade that a range of trade measures be applied against the company.
  • The investigation followed an initial assessment report published in July 2023 after a complaint was filed by a coalition of 28 Canadian organizations.
  • “Like all Canadian companies operating outside Canada, Dynasty has a responsibility to respect human rights.

OBSI 2023 Annual Report released

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 15, 2024
Crypto, CSA, Ombudsman, Risk, Common, Knowledge, Bank, Classification, Complaint, Fraud, Retail, Cryptocurrency

In 2023, OBSI responded to more than 17,000 public inquiries – a 63% year-over-year increase from the record levels reached in 2022.

Key Points: 
  • In 2023, OBSI responded to more than 17,000 public inquiries – a 63% year-over-year increase from the record levels reached in 2022.
  • In total, OBSI opened 3,050 cases in 2023, compared to last year’s record high of 1,151, representing a 165% year-over-year increase.
  • Our organization successfully met some very significant operational challenges as consumer demand for our services soared,” said Sarah Bradley, Ombudsman and CEO, OBSI.
  • In 2023, OBSI continued its practice of communicating regularly with financial services regulators about systemic issues and issues affecting multiple consumers.

Taxpayers' Ombudsperson launches systemic examination into delays in Canada child benefit payments for temporary residents

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Tax, Office, IRCC, CRA, Canada Revenue Agency, CCB, Ombudsman, Immigration, Refugee, Government revenue, Health insurance

OTTAWA, ON, March 26, 2024 /CNW/ - The Taxpayers' Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, has opened a systemic examination into issues that could prevent some temporary residents from receiving the Canada child benefit (CCB) in a timely manner.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, March 26, 2024 /CNW/ - The Taxpayers' Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, has opened a systemic examination into issues that could prevent some temporary residents from receiving the Canada child benefit (CCB) in a timely manner.
  • Temporary residents are legally authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to enter Canada for temporary purposes, including as a visitor, student, worker, or temporary resident permit holder.
  • Most temporary residents are eligible to receive the CCB in their 19th month of continuous residency in Canada.
  • However, the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson (OTO) has found issues that could be causing unnecessary interruptions in CCB payments to some temporary residents.

OBSI announces new board members

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 1, 2024
University of Toronto, Bank of Montreal, Trillium, University, University of British Columbia, Osgoode Hall Law School, Associate, Woman, Royal Bank of Canada, Fellow, Ethics, Bank, CFA, Information, Community, Retail, Royal Bank, Financial regulation, Toronto Life, Capital market, Regulation, HSBC Bank Canada, Ontario Securities Commission, Business, Ombudsman, CAIA, Walter, Knowledge, Commission, Commissioner, Insurance, Complaint, Central bank, Government, OSC, Distinguishing

TORONTO, March 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors for the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) is pleased to announce four appointments to the board:

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, March 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors for the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) is pleased to announce four appointments to the board:
    Mary Condon has joined the board as a Consumer Interest Director.
  • Previously, she was a board member of the Capital Markets Authority Implementation Organization, and Commissioner and board member of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), where she was also a Vice-Chair.
  • All directors have a fiduciary duty to OBSI and do not advocate for or represent any outside interest while engaged in OBSI governance.
  • If a consumer has a complaint against an OBSI participating bank or investment firm that they are not able to resolve with the bank or firm, OBSI will investigate at no cost to the consumer.

FAIR Canada and Coalition of Consumer Advocates Support Binding Authority Proposal

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Ombudsman, Comment, Exercise, Retail, CSA, Pressure, Risk, Property management

TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FAIR Canada and a coalition of concerned consumer advocates have jointly submitted a comment letter endorsing the proposal by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) to create a binding regime for investment-related complaints.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FAIR Canada and a coalition of concerned consumer advocates have jointly submitted a comment letter endorsing the proposal by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) to create a binding regime for investment-related complaints.
  • The coalition, representing the perspectives of financial consumers and retail investors nationwide, emphasizes the need for this proposal to rectify a system that puts Canadians at risk.
  • “FAIR Canada stands in solidarity with other consumer advocates in endorsing this significant investor protection initiative,” said Jean-Paul Bureaud, Executive Director at FAIR Canada.
  • “Granting OBSI binding authority will bring closure to investors’ complaints and establish a more fair, balanced, and efficient process for resolving complaints.”
    For more than a decade, FAIR Canada and fellow consumer groups have advocated for binding authority, recognizing its critical role in upholding the integrity of the Canadian financial services market.

SJW Group Announces 2023 Financial Results

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Utilities, Energy, Water supply, PUCT, WCMA, Weather, GRC, Interest, Growth, Sale, Ombudsman, Cost of capital, Webcast, PFAS, Tax, Workforce, File, MWC, PURA, Groundwater, CWC, Security (finance), EPS, SIC, Newsweek, Water, Depreciation, WCCM, Index, Public expenditure, CPUC, COC, SJW Group, Insurance, Acquisition, SJW, TWC, Social, Public utilities commission, Elmridge, Drinking water, Saco River

SJW Group (NYSE: SJW) today reported financial results for 2023.

Key Points: 
  • SJW Group (NYSE: SJW) today reported financial results for 2023.
  • “With a strong fourth quarter, our 2023 financial results and operating performance exceeded expectations and the initial earnings per share guidance we set for SJW Group at this time last year,” stated SJW Group Chair, CEO, and President, Eric W. Thornburg.
  • In 2023 SJW Group invested $272 million in infrastructure and water supply, which exceeded our 2023 capital expenditures guidance of $255 million.
  • When considering the company's 2024 guidance relative to actual results in 2023, it is important to note that the company's adjustment to income tax reserves in 2023 resulted in an increase of $0.14 per diluted share.

American States Water Company Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Natural Resources, Energy, Other Natural Resources, Other Energy, Utilities, AA, Investment, WCCM, Moody's Investors Service, Water, Foot, Calendar, Ombudsman, AWR, Indian stock exchange, S&P, GAAP, Policy, Moody, CPUC, Security (finance), Bank statement, Cryptocurrency

On June 29, 2023, the CPUC adopted a final decision in GSWC's general rate case application that determines new water rates for the years 2022–2024 retroactive to January 1, 2022.

Key Points: 
  • On June 29, 2023, the CPUC adopted a final decision in GSWC's general rate case application that determines new water rates for the years 2022–2024 retroactive to January 1, 2022.
  • GSWC filed for the implementation of new 2023 rate increases that became effective on July 31, 2023.
  • In October 2023, GSWC also filed with the CPUC to recover all retroactive rate amounts accumulated in memorandum accounts for the full 2022 year and for 2023 through July 30, 2023.
  • For more details on the full year 2023 results, please refer to the company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Government of Canada introduces legislation to combat harmful content online, including the sexual exploitation of children

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 26, 2024
Online, Parliament, Ombudsman, Freedom, Person, The Criminal Code, Tribunal, Speech, Social media, Culture, Supreme Court of Canada, Parent, Annual report, Government of Canada, Content, Physical disability, Marital status, Legislation, Telecommunications, Report, Religion, Genocide, Criminal code, Hatred, The Act, Act of Parliament, Child, Bill, Law enforcement, Cyberbullying, Violence, Gender identity, Language, Regulatory compliance, Life, Citizenship, Safety, Bullying, Democracy, Act, Commission, Supreme court, Research, Violent extremism, Internet, Survivor, Self-harm, Set, AI, CHRA, Triage, Conduct, Confidentiality, Terrorism, Government, Risk, Communication, Disability, Crime, Intimate, Pornhub, Police, Justice, Humiliation

The Bill would create stronger online protection for children and better safeguard everyone in Canada from online hate and other types of harmful content.

Key Points: 
  • The Bill would create stronger online protection for children and better safeguard everyone in Canada from online hate and other types of harmful content.
  • Government of Canada introduces legislation to combat harmful content online, including the sexual exploitation of children.
  • The Bill would create stronger online protections for children and better safeguard everyone in Canada from online hate and other types of harmful content.
  • They could also include design features to limit children's exposure to harmful content, including explicit adult content, cyberbullying content and content that incites self-harm.

Statement from the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson about the launch of the 2024 tax season

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
CRA, Ombudsman, Office, The Honourable, Annual report, File, Volunteering, Government revenue, Tax, Income tax, Canada Revenue Agency, Health insurance

This year, the process of filing an income tax and benefit return may feel particularly daunting.

Key Points: 
  • This year, the process of filing an income tax and benefit return may feel particularly daunting.
  • Tax season can feel stressful, but you have the right to fair treatment from the CRA.
  • The Taxpayers' Ombudsperson assists, advises and informs the Minister of National Revenue about matters relating to services provided by the CRA.
  • The Ombudsperson ensures, in particular, that the CRA respects eight of the service rights outlined in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

PCMA Launches New "Fair and Balanced Regulation" Advocacy Website

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Administrator, Comment, Element, Ombudsman, Retail, CSA, Amendment, Education, Letter, PCMA, National instrument

The PCMA does not believe the Proposed Amendments strike the right balance between investor protection and fair and efficient capital markets.

Key Points: 
  • The PCMA does not believe the Proposed Amendments strike the right balance between investor protection and fair and efficient capital markets.
  • David Gilkes, Chair of the PCMA stated that “the PCMA is pleased to launch our advocacy website which aims to better inform the public on our views.
  • The PCMA will continue to update the website with fresh insights, commentary, and the information pertinent to these regulatory discussions.
  • For more details and to participate in this important discussion, you can access the PCMA Advocacy Website at https://fairandbalancedregs.com and subscribe to communications to remain current on the PCMA’s thoughts and perspectives regarding the Proposed Amendments.