Organization Profile - Office of the Correctional Investigator of Canada

Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Correctional Investigator is mandated by Part III of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act as an Ombudsman for federal offenders.  The primary function of the Office is to investigate and bring resolution to individual offender complaints.  The Office as well, has a responsibility to review and make recommendations on the Correctional Service's policies and procedures associated with the areas of individual complaints to ensure that systemic areas of concern are identified and appropriately addressed.

Not legislated

Corrections and Conditional Release Act

The Correctional Investigator is appointed by the GIC to hold office during good behaviour for a term not exceeding five years, but may be suspended or removed for cause at any time by the GIC. The Correctional Investigator, on the expiration of a first or any subsequent term of office, is eligible to be re-appointed for a further term.

A person is eligible to be appointed as Correctional Investigator or to continue in that office only if the person is a Canadian citizen ordinarily resident in Canada or a permanent resident as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act who is ordinarily resident in Canada.

In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Correctional Investigator, or if the office of Correctional Investigator is vacant, the GIC may appoint another qualified person to hold office instead of the Correctional Investigator during the absence, incapacity or vacancy, and that person shall, while holding that office, have the same function as and all of the powers and duties of the Correctional Investigator and be paid such salary or other remuneration and expenses as may be fixed by the GIC.

The Correctional Investigator shall engage exclusively in the function and duties of the office of the Correctional Investigator and shall not hold any other office under Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province for reward or engage in any other employment for reward.

The Correctional Investigator shall engage exclusively in the function and duties of the office of the Correctional Investigator and shall not hold any other office under Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province for reward or engage in any other employment for reward.