Disability groups renew call for Public Guardian and Trustee review
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Manitoba disability organizations are pressing for an independent investigation into the Public Guardian and Trustee Office, saying adults with intellectual disabilities need greater involvement in decisions about their finances, health care and daily lives.
Eight organizations asked the Manitoba Ombudsman earlier this month to investigate how the office acts as a substitute decision-maker for about 1,275 adults with intellectual disabilities.
The groups say they have raised concerns with senior government officials through letters and meetings since March 2024, but have not seen a commitment to what they consider systemic change.
Eight Manitoba disability organizations are pressing the provincial Ombudsman to investigate the Public Guardian and Trustee Office, citing concerns about delays, financial transparency, access to decision-makers and the involvement of adults with intellectual disabilities in decisions affecting their lives. (Abilities Manitoba)
Leanne Fenez of Abilities Manitoba said the organizations are now asking the Ombudsman to examine the system and recommend changes.
The groups want adults to receive regular, understandable information about their finances, including how much money they have and what fees are being charged.
They are also calling for timelines for decisions on requests, an independent process for raising concerns or appealing decisions, and access to a substitute decision-maker at any time when hospitals need an urgent health-care decision.
Fenez said delays can affect basic needs, with requests for things such as dental care or winter clothing sometimes taking weeks or months to approve.
The organizations also want people to be able to have a family member, support worker or other trusted person assist them in communicating with the Public Guardian and Trustee.
Fenez said needing help to communicate should be treated as a disability accommodation.
The groups argue that the system should focus on making decisions with people rather than for them.
Manitoba’s Adults Living with an Intellectual Disability Act requires substitute decision-makers to be guided by an individual’s wishes, involve them in decisions as much as possible and support their independence, the organizations say.
They also want the Public Guardian and Trustee to publish its policies, fees and guides in plain language.
The organizations asked the Ombudsman to launch an investigation on its own initiative rather than relying on individual complaints.
They say some people served by the office may have difficulty making complaints independently, while others may fear that raising concerns could affect decisions being made about their lives.
The organizations stressed their concerns are directed at the system rather than individual Public Guardian and Trustee employees, noting that staff can face heavy caseloads.
The eight groups behind the request are Abilities Manitoba, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, Community Living Manitoba, Continuity Care Inc., Inclusion Winnipeg, Innovative Life Options, People First of Canada and People First of Manitoba.
The Ombudsman will decide whether to open an investigation. Abilities Manitoba says the decision may take some time.
The organizations say they want to work with the provincial government and the Public Guardian and Trustee Office on solutions that better align decision-making with the rights of adults with intellectual disabilities.
» Winnipeg Sun