Valerie G. Barnes Connell Jordan
Northern Advocate
Saskatchewan’s Ombudsperson, Sharon Pratchler, was in La Ronge to do some outreach and learn about local conditions.
“It’s particularly important for me , as one of my priorities, to come to the north and to hear what people want to tell us from the north,” she said, in an interview with the Northern Advocate.
Pratchler lives in Regina, and spent a few days in La Ronge. She spoke to participants in a Victim’s Service conference, while in town.
Pratchler was appointed Nov. 1, 2022, so has been Ombudsperson for about 20 months.
There are two pieces of legislation that she works under. One is the Ombudsman’s Act, which outlines her role.
“It’s really about any member of the public can complain about government programs and services, so that can be any ministry, Corrections, Social Services, Health and any agencies of government, like the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Cancer Authority … and any municipality.”
She also “has a Commissioner hat” because of other legislation which says any public servant can come and say there’s been some wrongdoing in government.
Pratchler comes with much varied experience to the job. She started life as a lawyer and worked at the profession for 30 years.
“I started as a defence counsel and then I became a prosecutor. I was a private lawyer in there as well,” she said.
Pratchler moved into a government role as a Crown Prosecutor for several years and then did some time as a Registrar of the Trial courts in Provincial Court and King’s Bench.
She has also experience in constitutional law, which involved “everything from human rights to a little bit of division power law, but more Charter things.”
Her role is non-partisan.
“I’m a Legislative officer, so I report to the Legislative Assembly and ultimately to the people of Saskatchewan, through the Board of Internal Economy and the Legislative Assembly through my annual report and other reports I make during the year. I am part of the Legislative branch of government, not part of the Executive branch of government. So, what that means is: I’m independent of the Executive branch. I don’t report to a minister or anything like that.”
One of her priorities is to enhance the reconciliation with Indigenous People.
The Ombudsman’s office hired a Knowledge Keeper/Carrier and Elder’s Helper, Jim Pratt, who began work Sept. 1.
“The esteemed position upholds a place of honour within our office, firmly rooted in the guiding principles of Truth and Reconciliation,” reads an Office of the Ombudsman press release, posted on July 29.
“In his role, Jim will actively support our unwavering commitment to the process of Indigenizing and decolonizing practices within the Ombudsman Saskatchewan office, striving to embody kwayaskkowowin – fairness and equity – in all our endeavours.”
The Northern Advocate will have more about the Knowledge Keeper and his role in the next edition.
Pratchler said she’s spent a bit of time in La Ronge and will be back, she said.
To Connect with the Ombudsman’s office call 1-800-667-9787 (toll free), or 306-787-6211. To write a letter the address is 500 – 2103 11th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3Z8
“Requests an in-person meeting with the Ombudsman or a member of her team. They will travel to communities, including northern communities, to make it easier for individuals to speak with them,” quoted from a news release, dated July 29, 2024.
