Saskatchewan Ombudsman Tackles Accessibility

Municipal Affairs
9 hours ago
2 min read

Accessibility isn't just about ramps, elevators, or automatic doors. It's about whether government works for everyone — whether public services are designed so that every resident can participate fully and with dignity.

Last Month, Saskatchewan's Ombudsman announced the creation of a new Accessibility and Inclusion Unit, a dedicated team that will oversee how public bodies are meeting their obligations under the Accessible Saskatchewan Act.

The unit will investigate accessibility-related concerns, provide training, promote inclusive practices, and help residents better understand their rights.

The announcement came during Disability Pride Month, a reminder that accessibility is about much more than physical infrastructure. As Ombudsman Sharon Pratchler puts it, it's about creating systems where every person feels respected, heard, and able to participate fully.

The timing is significant. The Ombudsman's office handled a record 3,756 complaints in 2025, with some of the highest numbers coming from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and income assistance programs. Those figures suggest that fairness, transparency, and accessibility remain ongoing challenges across public services.

While the new unit's work will focus on the Accessible Saskatchewan Act, its mandate reaches every level of public administration—including municipalities. Cities, towns, villages, and rural municipalities all play a role in delivering services that residents rely on every day. Whether it's accessing a municipal building, participating in a public consultation, or navigating local government processes, accessibility is becoming an increasingly important measure of good governance.

In this edition of Municipal Affairs, we'll take a closer look at what this new Accessibility and Inclusion Unit means, how it could influence municipal governments across Saskatchewan, and why accessibility is no longer simply a matter of compliance—it's becoming a cornerstone of accountable, people-centred public service.

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