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{{Short description|Canadian lawyer}}
{{coi|date=March 2015}}
{{Undisclosed paid|date=March 2021}}
]
{{infobox officeholder
|name=André Marin
|image=Ontario's sixth Ombudsman, André Marin.jpg
|office= 6th ]
|term_start=April 1, 2005
|term_end=September 14, 2015
|predecessor= Clare Lewis
|successor= Paul Dubé
| party = ]
| residence = ], ], Canada
| children = 6
| alma_mater = ]
| profession = Lawyer
| nationality = Canadian
}}

'''André Marin''' is a ] who served as ] from 2005 to 2015.

==Personal==
Marin is a graduate of ] (BA 1985) and ] (LLL 1988, JD 1989).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://about.me/andremarin/|title=André Marin on about.me|last=Marin|first=André|website=about.me|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-26}}</ref>

==Career==
After graduating from ], Marin became an assistant ] in ] in 1991 and taught law part-time in Ottawa.<ref name="Canadian Who"/><ref name ="Ombudsman Offices" />


From September 1996 until June 1998, he served as the Director of Ontario's ] (SIU).<ref name="Canadian Who"/><ref name ="Ombudsman Offices" /> During his tenure at the SIU, the office initiated over 300 investigations, laid 5 charges resulting from those investigations and obtained no convictions.<ref name="wrong person to lead SIU probe">
'''André Marin''' (born January 12, 1965) is a ] lawyer and ]. He was appointed as Ombudsman of Ontario by the ] on April 1, 2005 and was reappointed on June 1, 2010 to a second five-year term. Before 2005, he was the first Ombudsman for the ]<ref name "Canadian Who">
{{cite news | title = Ontario ombudsman wrong person to lead SIU probe, critics say| url = https://www.pressreader.com/canada/national-post-latest-edition/20070611/281608121013113| work = National Post}}</ref>
{{cite book

| title = Canadian Who’s Who 2011
In June 1998, Marin was appointed as Canada's first military ombudsman for complaints from members of the ].<ref name="Canadian Who"/><ref name ="Ombudsman Offices"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nowtoronto.com/news/back-to-square-one-on-sex-abuse-in-the-military/|title=Back to square one on sex abuse in the military|last=Taylor|first=Scott|date=May 6, 2015|work=]|access-date=October 17, 2018|language=en-ca}}</ref>
| publisher = Third Sector Publishing

| location = ], Ontario
=== Ombudsman of Ontario ===
| year = 2011
On April 1, 2005, Marin was appointed as ] by the ].<ref name="Canadian Who">{{cite book |title = Canadian Who's Who 2011
| isbn = 978-0-921173-27-4
|publisher = Third Sector Publishing
| page = 792
|location = ], Ontario
|year = 2011
|isbn = 978-0-921173-27-4
|page =
|url = https://archive.org/details/canadianwhoswho20046unse/page/792
}} }}
</ref> and Director of the Ontario ].<ref name ="Ombudsman Offices"> </ref><ref name="Ombudsman Offices">{{cite book
{{cite book
| editor1-first = Stewart | editor1-first = Stewart
| editor1-last = Hyson | editor1-last = Hyson
Line 21: Line 48:
| page = 200 | page = 200
}} }}
</ref> On June 1, 2010, he was reappointed to a second five-year term ending on May 31, 2015.
</ref>


In March 2007, Marin's office released a ] on the province's conduct in regards to the ].<ref>{{Cite news|title = Lotteries: A Game of Trust|url = https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Investigations/SORT-Investigations/Completed/Lotteries---em-A-Game-of-Trust--em-.aspx|access-date = 2016-09-24|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160927032439/https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Investigations/SORT-Investigations/Completed/Lotteries---em-A-Game-of-Trust--em-.aspx|archive-date = 2016-09-27|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Ont. lottery fraud suits urged by ombudsman|url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ont-lottery-fraud-suits-urged-by-ombudsman-1.845088}}</ref>
== Early career ==


In December 2010, Marin's office released a report on the province's conduct in regard to the ].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title = Ombudsman Andre Marin has recommended that the little-known 1939 legislation should be revised and protocols developed so the public is made aware when police powers are modified.|url = https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/g20/2010/12/07/ombudsman_charges_g20_secret_law_was_illegal.html|newspaper = The Toronto Star|date = 2010-12-07|access-date = 2015-10-23|issn = 0319-0781|first = Robert Benzie and Rob|last = Ferguson}}</ref> Marin said that it was "illegal" for the government to pass secret regulations allowing for the detaining of protesters during the ].<ref name=":0" />
After graduating with civil and common law degrees from the ]'s National Program,<ref>See the University of Ottawa's website, which lists Marin's degrees. http://www.droitcivil.uottawa.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2303&lang=fr</ref> Marin worked as an assistant Crown attorney and part-time professor of law in ], ] until 1996.


In October 2013, he released a report criticizing ] mayor ] and city councilors for a secret meeting at a restaurant where they discussed city business.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|title = Ontario Ombudsman André Marin's has found a secret meeting of the mayor and six London, Ont. city council members was a betrayal of public trust.|url = https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2013/10/22/ombudsman_andr_marin_says_secret_council_meeting_in_london_betrayed_public_trust.html|newspaper = The Toronto Star|date = 2013-10-22|access-date = 2015-10-23|issn = 0319-0781|first = Richard J.|last = Brennan}}</ref> The councilors and mayor denied the report.<ref name=":2" />
From September 1996 to June 1998, he was Director of Ontario’s ] (SIU), Canada’s only independent civilian agency for investigating incidents in which police officers have caused serious injury or death.<ref>Website of the Ontario Special Investigations Unit. http://www.siu.on.ca/en/index.php</ref>


In November 2014, Marin released a report that was critical of the Liberal government, calling it 'systematic government ineptitude" that led to the deaths of four children in unlicensed home daycares.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|title = Andre Marin issued an unprecedented 113 recommendations, and calls the case of 2-year-old Eva Ravikovich's death in a 'brazenly illegal' daycare, the 'canary in the coal mine.'|url = https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/10/22/ontario_ombudsman_slams_systematic_government_ineptitude_for_daycare_deaths.html|newspaper = The Toronto Star|date = 2014-10-22|access-date = 2015-10-23|issn = 0319-0781|first1 = Laurie|last1 = Monsebraaten|first2 = Marco Chown|last2 = Oved}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|title = Ontario's unlicensed daycares require 'urgent action': ombudsman Andre Marin|url = http://www.torontosun.com/2014/10/22/ontarios-unlicensed-daycares-require-urgent-action-ombudsman-andre-marin|newspaper = Toronto Sun|access-date = 2015-10-23}}</ref> The investigation was prompted after a 2-year-old child died in an unlicensed daycare in ].<ref name=":3" /> Marin issued 113 recommendations, and called on the province to take urgent action.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />
In June 1998, Marin became Canada’s first military Ombudsman, responsible for the investigation of complaints from members of the Canadian forces. He created the “Special Ombudsman Response Team” (SORT) for investigating broad systemic issues, such as ] among soldiers, compensation for the families of soldiers who are killed or wounded, and chemical agent testing during World War II.<ref>See, for example, reports "The Way Forward" and "Systemic Treatment of CF Members with PTSD": http://www.ombudsman.forces.gc.ca/rep-rap/sr-rs/index-eng.asp</ref>


====Office issues and expenses====
The 2006 workplace assessment conducted by the Canadian ] (DND) in the wake of Marin’s seven-year tenure found that he left a dysfunctional workplace, rife with complaints and 150 staff departures.<ref name="Dsyfunctional Ombuds">
A 2006 report for the Canadian ] found Marin had created a dysfunctional workplace at his office during his tenure, with multiple complaints and staff departures.<ref name="Dsyfunctional Ombuds">{{cite news|last1=Bruser |first1=David |last2=Welsh |first2=Moira |title=André Marin left dysfunction and discontent as military ombudsman |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2010/06/02/andr_marin_left_dysfunction_and_discontent_as_military_ombud.html |access-date=February 28, 2015 |work=Toronto Star |date=June 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220232456/http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2010/06/02/andr_marin_left_dysfunction_and_discontent_as_military_ombud.html |archive-date=2015-02-20 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{cite news
In 2010, the '']'' investigated human rights and labour complaints made by staff under Andre Marin's tenure.<ref name="Culture of Fear">{{cite news|last1=Welsh|first1=Moira|last2=Bruser|first2=David|title=Staff say Ombudsman Andre Marin's Office Plagued by Culture of Fear|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2010/05/28/staff_say_ombudsman_andr_marins_office_plagued_by_culture_of_fear.html|access-date=1 February 2015|work=Toronto Star|date=May 28, 2010}}</ref> Current and former staff members complained of a culture of fear and harassment.<ref name="Culture of Fear" /> A number of complaints were filed against the ombudsman, the office and his management team with the ] and the union.<ref name="Lam v. Ontario Ombudsman">{{cite web|title=Lam v. Ontario Ombudsman, 2009 HRTO 1261|url=https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onhrt/doc/2009/2009hrto1261/2009hrto1261.html?searchUrlHash=AAAAAQARb250YXJpbyBvbWJ1ZHNtYW4AAAAAAQ|website=CanLII|access-date=5 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="Foote v. Ombudsman (Ontario)">{{cite web|title=Foote v. Ombudsman (Ontario), 2008 HRTO 415|url=https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onhrt/doc/2008/2008hrto415/2008hrto415.html?searchUrlHash=AAAAAQARb250YXJpbyBvbWJ1ZHNtYW4AAAAAAQ|website=CanLII|access-date=1 February 2015}}</ref> Marin had called the allegations "absurd" and stated he had "high expectations" for his employees.<ref name="Culture of Fear" />
| last1 = Bruser
| first1 = David
| last2 = Welsh
| first2 = Moira
| title = André Marin left dysfunction and discontent as military ombud
| url = http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2010/06/02/andr_marin_left_dysfunction_and_discontent_as_military_ombud.html
| accessdate = February 28, 2015
| work = Toronto Star
| date = June 2, 2010
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6WrbzzxtC


In 2010, '']'' publicized some of the expenses Marin billed to taxpayers, including his personal grooming products, a $38 toothbrush and a $2,000 flat screen TV for his Ottawa home.<ref name="Tables Turned">{{cite news|last1=Howlett|first1=Karen|last2=Radawanski|first2=Adam|title=Tables are turned as Ontario Ombudsman's expenses come under scrutiny|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/tables-are-turned-as-ontario-ombudsmans-expenses-come-under-scrutiny/article1211354/|access-date=4 February 2015|work=The Globe and Mail|date=August 23, 2012}}</ref> The ''Star'' also reported that Marin used the office's corporate services director to pick-up his dry cleaning and keep an eye on Marin's maid when she cleaned his Toronto condo.<ref name="Tables Turned"/><ref name="2009 Sunshine List">{{cite web|title=Public Sector Salary Disclosure 2009|url=http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/publications/salarydisclosure/2009/legassembly09.html|website=Ontario Ministry of Finance|access-date=4 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="Marin Gave Contracts Friend">{{cite news|last1=Bruser|first1=David|title=André Marin gave contracts to friend starting in 2001|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2010/07/11/andr_marin_gave_contracts_to_friend_starting_in_2001.html|access-date=18 February 2015|work=Toronto Star|date=July 11, 2010}}</ref>
| archivedate = 2015-03-06
| deadurl = no
In April 2015, Marin's expenses came under scrutiny again when the '']'' revealed Marin had billed Ontario taxpayers an average of $14,800 in three months for housing expenses so he could maintain residences in both Toronto and Ottawa, sometimes spending more than $2,000 a month in rent while in Toronto. It is estimated Marin billed taxpayers $592,000 in housing since being appointed in 2005.<ref name="Ombudsmsan Pricey Commute">{{cite news|last1=Csanady|first1=Ashley|title=Why are taxpayers forking over hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Ontario ombudsman's pricey commute?|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/why-are-taxpayers-forking-over-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-for-the-ontario-ombudsmans-pricey-commute|access-date=3 April 2021|work=National Post|date=22 April 2015}}</ref>
}}
</ref><ref name="Marin Expires">
{{cite news
| last1 = Ferguson
| first1 = Rob
| title = Ombudsman André Marin, other watchdogs must reapply when contracts expire
| url = http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2015/02/25/ombudsman-andr-marin-other-watchdogs-must-reapply-when-contracts-expire.html
| accessdate = February 27, 2015
| work = Toronto Star
| date = February 25, 2014
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6WrcP5JwQ


====Extending term====
| archivedate = 2015-03-07
On May 28, 2015, the ] voted to extend Marin's term as ombudsman until September 14 to allow him to wrap-up investigations. Over 60 people applied to become Ontario's next ombudsman, including Marin.<ref name="Marin Extended">{{cite news |last1=Ferguson |first1=Rob |title=Ontario ombudsman André Marin's job extended |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2015/05/28/ontarios-hard-hitting-ombudsman-andre-marin-stays-until-september.html |access-date=1 June 2015 |work=Toronto Star |date=May 28, 2015}}</ref>
| deadurl = no
On September 14, 2015, a motion to grant Marin a second extension was defeated in the Legislature.<ref name="Marin Denied">{{cite news|title=Motion to extend Ontario ombudsman Andre Marin's term denied|url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2015/09/14/motion-to-extend-ontario-ombudsman-andre-marins-term-denied/|access-date=14 September 2015|agency=City News|date=Sep 14, 2015}}</ref>
}}
On April 15, 2016, Marin sued the Ontario government for wrongful dismissal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cp24.com/news/former-ombudsman-andre-marin-suing-for-wrongful-dismissal-1.2860659|title=Former Ombudsman Andre Marin suing for wrongful dismissal|website=CP24|date=15 April 2016 |access-date=2016-04-15}}</ref><ref name="Marin Sues">{{cite news|last1=Csanady|first1=Ashley|title=Ex-Ontario ombudsman sues for wrongful dismissal, says Wynne's office orchestrated public humiliation|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/former-ontario-ombudsman-sues-for-wrongful-dismissal-says-wynnes-office-orchestrated-public-humiliation|access-date=3 April 2021|publisher=National Post|date=April 14, 2016}}</ref> Marin claimed to have been fired without cause or notice when he was not rehired for a third term,.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/marin-ordered-pay-legal-fees-ontario-1.4139427|title=Ex-ombudsman André Marin ordered to pay $68K in legal fees after failed lawsuit|work=]|access-date=May 31, 2017|language=en}}</ref> The ] ruled against Marin.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cp24.com/news/court-dismisses-lawsuit-from-former-ombudsman-andre-marin-1.3328086|title=Court disisses lawsuit from former ombudsman Andre Marin|last=Jones|first=Allison|date=March 16, 2017|work=]|access-date=May 31, 2017|agency=]}}</ref>
</ref>46 Staff were interviewed who described a similar culture of fear, harassment, arbitrary work practices as methods of control and a neutered human resources department, as Ontario Ombudsman staff described. The report found that Marin’s bad human resources practices and “adversarial investigations” may have actually to” inefficiency in the organization.” On Marin’s departure, the report stated that staff expressed “overwhelming relief . . . to see the new leadership take its place.” In 2010, upon learning of the DND’s negative report on Marin’s tenure as the Canadian Military Ombudsman, Marin’s predecessor as Ontario Ombudsman, Clare Lewis, commented that he would not have supported Marin’s appointment.<ref name="Dsyfunctional Ombuds" /> On Marin’s departure, the report stated that staff expressed “overwhelming relief . . . to see the new leadership take its place.”<ref name="Dsyfunctional Ombuds" /> In 2010, upon learning of the DND’s negative report on Marin’s tenure as the Canadian Military Ombudsman, Marin’s predecessor as Ontario Ombudsman, Clare Lewis, commented that he would not have supported Marin’s appointment.<ref name="Dsyfunctional Ombuds" />


===Later career===
==Controversies Under Marin's Mandate As Ontario Ombudsman==
After leaving office, Marin began teaching part-time in the ]'s faculty of law and writing a column for the '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reevely |first1=David |title=Former ombudsman André Marin wants to run for Progressive Conservatives in Ottawa-Vanier |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/former-ombudsman-andre-marin-wants-to-run-for-progressive-conservatives-in-ottawa-vanier |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=24 September 2016}}</ref> He stopped writing the column in December, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/marin-scheers-message-lost-in-fog-of-war |title=MARIN: Scheer's message lost in fog of war {{!}} Toronto Sun |date=2019-12-14 |language=en-CA |access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref> In 2020, Marin was hired by ] leader ] to represent him in a lawsuit filed against political strategist ] alleging Kinsella was hired by the ] to run a pre-election campaign of ] against Bernier.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-maxime-bernier-hires-former-ombudsman-to-prepare-legal-action-against/ |title=Maxime Bernier hires former ombudsman to prepare legal action against Warren Kinsella over racism claims |last=Curry |first=Bill |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date=9 December 2020}}</ref> The court dismissed the suit in November 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-kinsella-lawsuit-dismissed-1.6245137|title=Maxime Bernier's defamation lawsuit against political pundit dismissed by Ontario court}}</ref>


==Politics==
As Ontario's Ombudsman, Andre Marin, has been the subject of a number of public controversies during his tenure. These have ranged from his high-profile investigations to his management style, his office expenses and use of Twitter. In 2010, Toronto Star (the Star) reporters David Bruser and Moira Welsh investigated human rights and labour complaints by Ombudsman staff under Marin’s tenure and his awarding of contracts to law professor and now Ontario Court Justice, David Paciocco.
On September 24, 2016, Marin was named the ] candidate for the November 2016 by-election in ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/24/former-ombudsman-andre-marin-wants-to-run-for-conservatives-in-ottawa-vanier|title=Former ombudsman André Marin wants to run for Conservatives in Ottawa-Vanier|newspaper=Toronto Sun|access-date=2016-10-26}}</ref> He was defeated by Liberal candidate ] by a 19-point margin, the best performance by a Progressive Conservative candidate in the riding for fifty years. In remarks given after his defeat, Marin warned that party leader ] had to put social conservatives "in their place" because they are "a threat to the party" that might cost them the ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/social-conservatives-are-a-threat-to-the-pcs-says-andre-marin-after-byelection-loss|title=Social conservatives a 'threat' to Ontario PCs, says André Marin after byelection loss |last=Platt |first=Brian |date=November 18, 2016 |work=] |access-date=May 31, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref>


===Electoral record===
===Human Rights and Labour Complaints===
{{Ontario provincial by-election, November 17, 2016/Ottawa—Vanier}}

In late May 2010, the Toronto Star published a series of articles based on interviews of at least 10 past and present Ombudsman employees who alleged that Marin instituted a “culture of fear” in the workplace upon taking over as Ontario Ombudsman. It also reported some employees had filed complaints with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal(OHRT). Employees alleged systematic bullying, harassment and in some cases, racism. Some also alleged there were bizarre rules prohibiting them from using the hallway in front of Marin's office, speaking to Marin unless spoken to first, and displaying personal photos in their workspaces. Despite the nature of the complaints against Marin's office, equity and labour, Andrea Horwath and the Ontario New Democrats have remained staunch supporters of Marin's mandate and management style.

By 2010, the Ombudsman’s office, a fairness office that reports directly to the Ontario Legislature, had five simultaneous and active complaints against it filed by employees with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal(OHRT). Marin was named in at least one complaint by his former human resources manager, which was dismissed in August 2010. The tribunal has not made any findings against the Ombudsman's office as several are still before the OHRT.

The sources quoted by the Star estimated that at least 10 former employees have been “bought out” and “gagged” from speaking about their negative experiences and received payments from Marin’s office. The Star also reported that the employees' union retained a labour investigator, but noted neither she nor the union would comment on whether an investigation was conducted. On June 3, 2010, the Star reported that a report done after Marin left his post as Ombudsman for the Canadian Forces in 2005 found that he left a dysfunctional workplace in his wake, rife with complaints and 150 staff departures.

==="Slave Auction" Poster===

In 2012, another OHRT complaint was filed by the former front desk receptionist, who is black and of Haitian/African-Canadian descent. She alleged racial discrimination and a methodical pattern of harassment and intimidation, culminating in two main events. She claimed that in 2010, a white manager, knowing she had concerns for family in Haiti following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, purposefully made hurtful and untrue comments intended to harass her based on her ethnic origin, by saying he was planning a cruise with a “pit stop in Haiti … but not where all that cholera stuff is going on.” The Tribunal dismissed this claim in November 2013, stating that a "mere statement that one is not going to the parts of Haiti where there is cholera raises no connection to a (Human Rights) Code ground."

The second allegation surrounded a poster that was e-mailed to all Ombudsman employees and also physically placed around the office, including the reception desk where the employee worked, about a "silent auction" charity event. It included a cartoon of a group of white men waiving paper money, accompanied by a poem that included the suggestion that staff could auction themselves as a “slave for a day” to raise money for charity. The poster was created by the employees’ social committee, which was entirely white and included a member of the Ombudsman's senior management team, senior legal counsel Wendy Ray, who has been personally named in a number of human rights and discrimination cases against the office. Following complaints from other black employees, the poster was revised and “slave for a day” was replaced with “gofer for a day.” The employee complained that despite this, a copy of the original offending poster was left on her desk, and that the author of the poem later escalated the situation by sending an email that said, in part: "why anyone would take offense is BEYOND ME and if you can’t see that, then you clearly have ISSUES (…) And if this email makes you even more mad and offended, TOO BAD!!!! At the OHRT, the ex-employee and author of the email claimed that it involved a completely unrelated dispute among social committee members. The complainant alleged these incidents were part of a continuing pattern of systemic discrimination she had been subjected to while employed at the Ontario Ombudsman. She also alleged that as result of her complaint, she was subjected to serious reprisals by management and eventually forced out of her job.

===David Paciocco Contracts===

In June and July 2010, the Toronto Star published two articles reporting that that over his 12 years as the Ontario Ombudsman and Ombudsman for the Canadian Military, Marin awarded consulting contracts worth almost a quarter of a million dollars to Ottawa law professor David Paciocco. At the time, Marin’s salary was at $215,000. The articles cited federal documents showing $84,000 was paid to Paciocco between 2001 and 2005 and $141,000 after 2005. The Star described Paciocco as Marin's "good friend" (although Marin's office said they had no personal relationship) and cited unnamed sources alleging that Paciocco was hired to "spice up" Marin's reports (while Marin's office said he was hired for his legal expertise, for which tendering is not required). The Star quoted comments that Paciocco made about Marin in a speech at a public dinner the previous year:

I have known him since he was a boy’s head sticking out of a man’s suit. I have known and worked with André Marin for more some 20 years - which happens to be his entire professional career... I like to think that Andre fancied me as something of his mentor.

As a result of the Star article series, Marin and Paciocco made the first Ontario Press Council challenge to the “permissible limits of investigative journalism” in its 38-year history. They disputed many of the allegations from the Star's unnamed sources and argued that the articles were unbalanced. In its January 2011 decision, the Press Council upheld Paciocco's complaint and aspects of Marin's, requiring the Star to publish this fact on its website. The council noted that it was not in a position to determine whether or not the facts in the articles were correct, although it found no obvious factual errors in the stories. However, it stated that the articles gave "greater prominence to the allegations against Mr. Marin than to his denials," and that "the vague assertions by an anonymous source, the excerpts from a speech given by Mr. Paciocco and the results of the Star’s subsequent investigation into the fees paid to Mr. Paciocco do not justify the derogatory inferences that the two stories contain." The Council also stated:

...that while the articles, on balance, gave greater prominence to the allegations against Marin than to the denials, there were no obvious factual errors contained in the stories and that “no aspect of the complainant’s defense went unreported.

===Ombudsman Expenses===

In 2010, the Office's expenses came under public scrutiny. It was revealed that in 2006, Marin billed taxpayers for his personal grooming products, including a $38 toothbrush. Marin noted that he and his staff had just moved to new premises in Toronto and he was stocking up his office washroom. He also purchased a $2,000 flat screen TV for his Ottawa home, saying it was to watch Queen's Park’s Question Period whenever he was at home in Ottawa; he noted that the television belongs to the Ombudsman’s office and will be returned once he is no longer in the job. Marin works at home in Ottawa every other week, a deal that was part of his contract. Marin did not say how much time he spent in Ottawa versus Toronto. Marin argued he in fact saved taxpayers money by moving to Toronto—where the Ombudsman's office is located, presumably, rather than moving the Ombudsman's office to Ottawa, where Marin lived. Another report alleged Marin’s Director of Corporate Services, who’s salary was $142,000 at the time, was made to pick-up Marin’s dry cleaning and monitor Marin’s maid when she cleaned his Toronto condo; Marin’s office denied the allegations and said that the executive’s job included visiting Marin’s condo to watch over the property but did not include dry cleaning pickup.. Marin publicly expressed frustration that his expense records were publicly disclosed and suggested he may have been too trusting with former employees who were forced to resign. He suggested they should have been “frisked ...on their way out.” Marin went on to claim that the criticism of his expenses was akin to a witch hunt reminiscent of the anti-communist "McCarthyism.”

New Democratic Party House Leader Peter Kormos lodged a formal complaint with the Speaker accusing the government of intervening in a non-partisan search process and of launching "scurrilous, malicious" attacks against Marin while then-opposition leader Tim Hudak urged then-Premier Dalton McGuinty to apologize to Marin for “one of the dirtiest whisper campaigns in memory”. Opposition parties dubbed it a “malicious” smear campaign against Marin, and McGuinty noted it was getting “a little out of hand.”

During his first five-year mandate, 2005-2010, the Ombudsman's Office had an estimated 70 employees leave the Ontario Ombudsman's office, an office of 85 employees, costing Ontario taxpayers approximately $780,000.

In 2015, the government adopted a new process for all legislative watchdog appointments that will include an open competition. Liberal House leader Yasir Naqvi was reported as saying there is no agenda against Marin “this time”, which, the Toronto Star noted, “was not the case in 2010.”

===Durham Police Dispute===

On August 8, 2013, the Ombudsman’s Office announced an investigation into how the provincial government directs police to deal with de-escalating crisis situations, in the wake of the police shooting death of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim on a Toronto streetcar.

Before the 11 a.m. press conference, Marin was tweeted at multiple times by a Twitter user whose bio said “only goal in life: expose Andre Marin for the leach on society he is”. The user, @JoeyMayo12 (account since deleted), tweeted: “@Ont_Ombudsman is a carded member of Al Qaida” and “@Ont_Ombudsman YOU SIR ARE A COMPLETE DOUCHE BAG! Why don’t you stick your big french nose up your ass instead of business it doesnt belong”. Marin tweeted that the account was linked to the name and badge number of an officer with the Durham Regional Police Service, whom he identified publicly.

Marin responded by wrongly accusing a 12-year respected veteran of the Durham Region police force. First Marin publicly identified “Dennis Scott,” then later changed the name to Det.–Constable Scott Dennis of being "Joe Mayo." Marin used the official Ontario Ombudsman Twitter account to publicly accuse the Scott and to disclose his police force, badge number and his salary. Dennis’s personal information was widely reported in the media based on Marin’s information. Dennis, described as an “outstanding officer” by his superiors, began to receiving insulting and harassing emails from the public as a result of Marin’s mistake. Marin publicly boasted that his (Ontario Ombudsman) staff had identified the (wrong) name and badge number behind the account "within minutes." Marin’s office has no jurisdiction over police forces and Marin refused to explain how he was able to so quickly get the information on Denis that he did. Initially, Marin refused to apologize to the Dennis, publicly stating that he saw no need for an apology "at this time." Marin went on to complain that it was unfair that the Durham police were quick to ask him to apologize to Dennis but not for an apology for Marin: “What about an apology for being the victim of hate mail by one of his finest." Marin apologized after Dennis’ lawyer publicly stated they were considering legal action against Marin and the Ontario Ombudsman’s office. After his apology, Marin then entered into a public spat with Durham Police Chief Mike Ewels. despite Marin's mistaken investigation, he began to criticizing Ewels's leadership and investigative abilities:

I was never impressed by how the investigation was conducted... The investigators got their marching orders on this from their chief. It was all part of the old boys’ club. As a result, they low-balled the investigation right from the beginning. Police stations are not expected to be run like National Lampoon’s Animal House.

Marin’s attempts to discredit Chief Ewels drew heavy criticism from senior police officers in Ontario:

First and foremost, the ombudsman is a public official whose job it is to be objective and conduct objective, independent investigation of whatever matters he’s in charge with, acting on the evidence before him.

His behaviour is unacceptable, particularly coming from someone holding such a high position of public trust and authority. Mr. Marin, of all people, knows there is a process in filing complaints for investigation. If he had a concern, he should have followed that process. Instead, he publicly maligned an innocent person.

On Marin’s claim that he was a victim of being “duped” by Joe Mayo” just like Dennis was, Dennis’ lawyer stated:

Only one person was ‘duped’ in this matter, and that would appear to be, by his own admission... client was not duped. He was publicly exposed, unnecessarily, by the Ombudsman and held up to public contempt and attacks. The last few weeks have been “extremely difficult” for Dennis.

Durham police’s professional standards branch investigated and determined that another officer, Detective Jeff Caplan from the force’s major fraud unit, actually created the account, impersonating his colleague. Caplan pleaded guilty to charges of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act and was demoted for nine months after a hearing in December 2013. He was also ordered to undergo training on workplace harassment. Caplan apologized to his colleague and Marin in September 2013. The Ombudsman met with him in person and accepted Caplan's apology. However, Marin expressed outraged that Caplan was not criminally charged and blamed Chief Ewels.

The lawyer for the wrongly accused said “Dennis’s life was turned upside down after he was erroneously identified as the source of a Twitter tirade against Marin.”

===Sudbury City Council===

In December 2012, Marin attended a Sudbury city council meeting about whether to keep the Ontario Ombudsman as the city's oversight office or appoint someone of their own. Some councilors complained about “a lot of drama out of the Ombudsman's office" and “his sarcastic attitude”. Councillors reported that Marin acted aggressively, speaking over and pointing at them. Following Council's vote to replace him, Marin publicly stated that he feared the decision was motivated by "retaliation."

===Ontario Auditor General, Bonnie Lysyk===

In November 2014, the Ontario Legislature debated Bill 8, which would expand the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction into areas of financial review, currently overseen by various auditor-generals. The Auditor General of Ontario, Bonnie Lysyk, said at the legislature’s committee hearings that the bill would result in a duplication of services. She said the Ombudsman’s office has a complaints-based focus, while the financial operations of organizations and branches of government are more the domain of the auditor-general.

An Office of the Ontario Ombudsman web account targetted Lysyk and the Auditor-General of Ottawa, Ken Hughes' stating it was an “attack” on the bill and “astoundingly inept”. Marin then sent her a five-page letter accusing Lysyk of “blindsiding” him and warning that she was proposing a “perilous and massive step backward in terms of accountability and transparency for the citizens of Ontario.” He criticized the move and patronized her stating had she asked beforehand, he “would have been able to educate you about the legislative history of the Ombudsman Act, how ombudsmen balance individual and systemic investigations, and the context behind the Bill 8 amendments as they relate to my Office.”

===Toronto Ombudsman, Fiona Crean===

After testifying similar concerns about the duplication of services Bill 8 would create, Fiona Crean, the City of Toronto’s Ombudsman, was publicly targetted from an Ontario Ombudsman account stating: “Your apocalyptic, doomsday scenarios are big on fantasy & light on reality” and referred to her as "Chicken Little". Marin denied that his words were an attack, rather characterizing them as “advocacy.”

===University of Western professors, Andrew Sancton and Erika Simpson===

In December, 2014, Marin blocked Western University political science professor Andrew Sancton from the official Ontario Ombudsman Twitter feed for three days after the professor tweeted criticism of Bill 8. The Bill gives the Ombudsman the authority to investigate “closed meetings” of city councillors in interests of transparency. Sancton disliked that the term “meeting” is not defined in legislation, but Marin, who is not an elected legislator, created his own unauthorized definition. He said he was "outraged" at being blocked. Marin also tweeted that Sancton belonged to “the Mad Men generation,” in reference to being from the 1960s.

Fellow Western political science professor and former university ombudsman, Erika Simpson, said Marin’s behaviour was in conflict with the office's duty to be an “independent, impartial and confidential mediator:” “public officials should not be able to block members of the public from reading their tweets. Marin’s electronic media postings, written under his authority as the ombudsman, should be open, transparent and subject to public scrutiny.” Marin noted that Sancton could still read his tweets on the Ombudsman's official website.

Marin said blocking people from Twitter is important “for dealing with the vicious anonymous trolls who spend their days attacking public figures and their followers (including mine) with vile, bigoted and bullying tweets.”

===Hamilton City Integrity Commissioner, Earl Basse===

In February 2015, Marin publicly criticized a report by Hamilton City Hall Integrity Commissioner Earl Basse, about a journalist pushed by a councillor at Hamilton City Hall. Marin said the report lacked "evidence analysis" and said he would use it as "a model of how not to write a report".


==References== ==References==
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after=] after=Peter A. Tinsley
}} }}

Canadian Who’s Who 2011. Orillia: Third Sector Publishing. 2011. p. 792. ISBN 978-0-921173-27-4.
Jump up ^ Hyson, Stewart, ed. (2009). Provincial and Territorial Ombudsman Offices in Canada. University of Toronto Press. p. 200. ISBN 978-1-4426-4067-2.
Jump up ^ See the University of Ottawa's website, which lists Marin's degrees. http://www.droitcivil.uottawa.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2303&lang=fr
Jump up ^ Website of the Ontario Special Investigations Unit. http://www.siu.on.ca/en/index.php
Jump up ^ See, for example, reports "The Way Forward" and "Systemic Treatment of CF Members with PTSD": http://www.ombudsman.forces.gc.ca/rep-rap/sr-rs/index-eng.asp
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Bruser, David; Welsh, Moira (June 02 2010). "André Marin left dysfunction and discontent as military ombud". Toronto Star. Retrieved 28 February 2015. Check date values in: |date= (help)
^ Jump up to: a b c Ferguson, Rob (February 25, 2014). "Ombudsman André Marin, other watchdogs must reapply when contracts expire". Toronto Star. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Welsh, Moira; Bruser, David (May 28, 2010). "Staff say Ombudsman Andre Marins Office Plagued by Culture of Fear". Toronto Star. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
Jump up ^ “Ontario Ombudsman on winning streak,” The Globe and Mail, March 27, 2007.
Jump up ^ “We’re lucky to have André Marin on our side,” Toronto Sun, March 9, 2008.
Jump up ^ Hyson, Stewart, ed. (2009). Provincial and Territorial Ombudsman Offices in Canada. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-1-4426-4067-2.
Jump up ^ Hyson, Stewart, ed. (2009). Provincial and Territorial Ombudsman Offices in Canada. University of Toronto Press. pp. 189, 199. ISBN 978-1-4426-4067-2.
Jump up ^ “Ontario’s Ombudsman uses moral suasion to push accountability and the public interest,” Professionally Speaking (Ontario College of Teachers), September 2011. http://professionallyspeaking.oct.ca/september_2011/go/annual_members_meeting.aspx
Jump up ^ “Ontario must get with the times on transparency, watchdog says,” Globe and Mail, June 21, 2011.
Jump up ^ “Ombud opens door to complaints via social media,” Law Times, August 22, 2011.
Jump up ^ Website of the International Ombudsman Institute, http://www.theioi.org/the-i-o-i/structure
Jump up ^ Website of L’Association des Ombudsmans et des Médiateurs de la Francophonie, http://www.aomf-ombudsmans-francophonie.org/l-aomf/role-et-missions_fr_000001.html
Jump up ^ “Public Protector gets help from Ombudsman of Ontario, Canada (news release, South Africa Public Protector): http://www.pprotect.org/media_gallery/2011/22082011.asp
Jump up ^ “International Ombudsman Institute ‘Sharpening Your Teeth,’ (news release, Gibraltar Public Services Ombudsman): http://www.ombudsman.org.gi/announcements/the-international-ombudsman-institute-sharpening-your-teeth
Jump up ^ Hyson, Stewart, ed. (2009). Provincial and Territorial Ombudsman Offices in Canada. University of Toronto Press. p. 192. ISBN 978-1-4426-4067-2.
Jump up ^ “Why Ontario’s Ombudsman needs to go to school,” Toronto Sun, May 3, 2011: http://www.londonabc.ca/pdf/articles/2011-torontosun-may3.pdf
Jump up ^ "Bill 8", Legislative Assembly of Ontario, http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet&BillID=3000
Jump up ^ http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Newsroom/Press-Release/2014/Ontario-Ombudsman-welcomes-historic-expansion-of-m.aspx
Jump up ^ Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page7089.aspx
Jump up ^ Ombudsman Ontario website, Municipal Meetings section, http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Investigations/Municipal-Meetings.aspx
^ Jump up to: a b http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/tables-are-turned-as-ontario-ombudsmans-expenses-come-under-scrutiny/article1211354/
^ Jump up to: a b DiManno, Rosie (December 4, 2014). "Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin’s online tormentor detweeted under the Police". Toronto Star. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
^ Jump up to: a b c Artuso, Antonella (August 8, 2013). "Andre Marin ID's Twitter troll as Durham Police officer". Toronto Sun. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
^ Jump up to: a b c d O'Kruk, Amy (January 8, 2015). "Ontario ombudsman in Twitter feud with Western professors". The Gazette: Western's only daily newspaper since 1906. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
Jump up ^ "Ontario’s Ombudsman Tweets Up a Storm!". Loon Canada. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e Morrow, Adrian (November 28, 2014). "Ombuds turf war over bill breaks from political decorum". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c "Lam v. Ontario Ombudsman, 2009 HRTO 1261". CanLII. CanLII. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Foote v. Ombudsman (Ontario), 2008 HRTO 415". CanLII. CanLII. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c "Hutchinson v. Ombudsman Ontario, 2012 HRTO 1558". CanLII. CanLII. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c d "Correia v. Ombudsman (Ontario), 2012 HRTO 501". CanLII. CanLII.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i "Jean-Pierre v. Office of the Ontario Ombudsman, 2013 HRTO 1884". CanLII. CanLII.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Sudac v. Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario, 2010 HRTO 1744". CanLII. CanLII. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c d Bruser, David (July 11, 2010). "André Marin gave contracts to friend starting in 2001". Toronto Star. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
Jump up ^ http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2010/05/28/politicians_support_marin_while_employee_discontent_continues_to_grow.html
Jump up ^ http://www.canlii.org/en/on/onhrt/doc/2013/2013hrto1884/2013hrto1884.html?searchUrlHash=AAAAAQAVamVhbi1waWVycmUgb21idWRzbWFuAAAAAAE&resultIndex=3
Jump up ^ http://www.canlii.org/en/on/onhrt/doc/2014/2014hrto1705/2014hrto1705.html?searchUrlHash=AAAAAQAVamVhbi1waWVycmUgb21idWRzbWFuAAAAAAE&resultIndex=2
^ Jump up to: a b c Welsh, Moira; Bruser, David (June 3, 2010). "Marin's Mentor got Plum Contracts". Toronto Star. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
Jump up ^ "Public Sector Salary Disclosure 2011 (Disclosure for 2010) : Legislative Assembly and Ofices". Ontario Ministry of Finance. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c Ontario Press Council "Past Decisions". Ontario Press Council. Ontario Press Council. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2011/01/21/press_council_rules_on_complaint_against_star.html
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Howlett, Karen (August 23, 2012). "Tables are turned as Ontario Ombudsman's expenses come under scrutiny". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c d "Ontario Ombudsman’s Expenses Come Under Scrutiny". City News. May 21, 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
Jump up ^ "Public Sector Salary Disclosure 2009". Ontario Ministry of Finance. Ontario Ministry of Finance. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
Jump up ^ http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2010/05/22/dalton_mcguinty_wants_andr_marin_again_sources.html
^ Jump up to: a b http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2010/05/19/dalton_mcguinty_bends_on_watchdog_smears.html
Jump up ^ ”Ontario’s hard-hitting ombudsman will have to reapply for his job amid NDP concerns Liberal government has ‘ulterior motive’”, Toronto Star, http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2015/02/25/ombudsman-andr-marin-other-watchdogs-must-reapply-when-contracts-expire.html
Jump up ^ "Proactive Disclosure". Ombudsman Ontario. Ombudsman Ontario. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
Jump up ^ “Sammy Yatim: Ontario ombudsman to probe police guidelines in wake of shooting”, Toronto Star, August 8, 2013 http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/08/08/sammy_yatim_ontario_ombudsman_to_probe_police_guidelines_in_wake_of_shooting.html
Jump up ^ Durham police say they’re in contact with officer who allegedly harassed Ontario ombudsman on Twitter”, August 9, 2013 http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/08/09/durham-police-say-theyre-in-contact-with-officer-who-allegedly-harrassed-ontario-ombudsman-on-twitter/
Jump up ^ http://www.torontosun.com/2013/08/08/andre-marin-says-hes-been-threatened-by-durham-police-officer
^ Jump up to: a b Bitonti, Daniel (August 28, 2014). "Police and Ontario ombudsman André Marin tangled in Twitter dispute". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e Ombudsman should apologize for ID'ing wrong cop for offensive tweets: lawyer (August 27, 2013). CTV News. Canadian Press http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ombudsman-should-apologize-for-id-ing-wrong-cop-for-offensive-tweets-lawyer-1.1429094. Retrieved December 15, 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
Jump up ^ "Ontario ombud apologizes for wrongly accusing cop of sending offensive tweets". City News Toronto. Canadian Press. Aug 28, 2013.
Jump up ^ Smith Cross, Jessica (August 27, 2013). "Ontario ombudsman fingered wrong cop as Twitter harasser". City News. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
Jump up ^ Staff (August 27, 2013). "Lawyer calls for apology from Ombudsman". Global News. Canadian Press. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
Jump up ^ http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/12/04/ontario_ombudsman_andre_marins_online_tormenter_detweeted_under_the_police_act.html
Jump up ^ http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2013/12/03/durham_officer_to_face_disciplinary_hearing_today_over_offensive_tweets_sent_to_ontarios_ombudsman.html
Jump up ^ http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/09/13/ombudsman_exposes_tweeting_cop_and_slams_durham_force.html
Jump up ^ Artuso, Antonella (August 28, 2014). "Ombudsman André Marin calls Durham cops 'childish' in Twitter spat". Toronto Sun. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
Jump up ^ "Wrongly accused cop accepts ombudsman apology". Global News. The Canadian Press. August 29, 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
Jump up ^ "Ombudsman's office 'drama we don't need'". CBC News. November 22, 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b "Sudbury council blasts Ont. Ombudsman". CBC News. December 12, 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
Jump up ^ "Council fires 'unbelievably rude' Ontario ombudsman". CBC News. February 13, 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c Reevely, David (December 2, 2014). "Reevely: Ontario's auditor, ombudsman battle over accountability bill". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b Ferguson, Rob (December 1, 2014). "Ontario Ombudsman accuses Auditor General of perilous power play". Toronto Star. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c Simpson, Erika (December 20, 2014). "Public pay, public scrutiny". London Free Press. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
Jump up ^ Marin, Andre (December 26, 2014). "Marin: Public officials not obliged to be abused on Twitter". London Free Press. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b Van Dongen, Matthew (28 February 2015). "Watchdog slams ‘Grade 3’ Hamilton integrity report on pushed journalist". Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
Jump up ^ “Ontario Ombudsman André Marin receives award of excellence” - http://www.droitcivil.uottawa.ca/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=115&id=1510&task=view&lang=en
Jump up ^ Article on the University of Ottawa's website: "Une contribution exemplaire" http://www.droitcivil.uottawa.ca/fr/nouvelles/nouvelles-de-la-faculte/une-contribution-de-chien.html
Jump up ^ Website of the Carleton University Alumni Association, https://advancement.carleton.ca/events/regional_worldwide.htm?clearRegCmd=true&dc=registration&eventId=455
Jump up ^ http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Newsroom/Press-Release/2012/Ombudsman-Andre-Marin-to-be-honoured-with-Canadian.aspx
Jump up ^ http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Newsroom/Press-Release/2012/Ombudsman-Andre-Marin-to-receive-University-of-Ott.aspx?lang=en-CA
Jump up ^ http://www.oba.org/En/News/Main/NewsDetails.aspx?no=NEWS03282012-151-1E
Jump up ^ http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Newsroom/Press-Release/2012/Ontario-Ombudsman-honoured-for-police-oversight-wo.aspx
Jump up ^ http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/4750/The-Top-25-Most-Influential/Page-5.html
Jump up ^ http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Newsroom/Press-Release/2013/Ontario-Ombudsman-Andre-Marin-one-of-Torontos-mos.aspx
Jump up ^ http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/5220/The-Top-25-Most-Influential/Page-3.html
Jump up ^ http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Newsroom/Press-Release/2014/Ontario-Ombudsman-Andre-Marin-named-one-of--Canada.aspx

{{s-end}} {{s-end}}


==External links== ==External links==
*, ''Toronto Sun'' columns
*
*, University of Ottawa


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}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marin, Andre}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Marin, Andre}}
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Latest revision as of 20:00, 6 November 2024

Canadian lawyer
This article may have been created or edited in return for undisclosed payments, a violation of Misplaced Pages's terms of use. It may require cleanup to comply with Misplaced Pages's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. (March 2021)
André Marin
6th Ontario Ombudsman
In office
April 1, 2005 – September 14, 2015
Preceded byClare Lewis
Succeeded byPaul Dubé
Personal details
NationalityCanadian
Political partyProgressive Conservative
Children6
Residence(s)Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Alma materCarleton University
ProfessionLawyer

André Marin is a lawyer who served as Ontario ombudsman from 2005 to 2015.

Personal

Marin is a graduate of Carleton University (BA 1985) and University of Ottawa (LLL 1988, JD 1989).

Career

After graduating from law school, Marin became an assistant Crown Attorney in Ottawa, Ontario in 1991 and taught law part-time in Ottawa.

From September 1996 until June 1998, he served as the Director of Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU). During his tenure at the SIU, the office initiated over 300 investigations, laid 5 charges resulting from those investigations and obtained no convictions.

In June 1998, Marin was appointed as Canada's first military ombudsman for complaints from members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Ombudsman of Ontario

On April 1, 2005, Marin was appointed as Ombudsman of Ontario by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. On June 1, 2010, he was reappointed to a second five-year term ending on May 31, 2015.

In March 2007, Marin's office released a report on the province's conduct in regards to the Ontario lottery retailer fraud scandal.

In December 2010, Marin's office released a report on the province's conduct in regard to the 2010 G-20 Toronto summit. Marin said that it was "illegal" for the government to pass secret regulations allowing for the detaining of protesters during the summit protests.

In October 2013, he released a report criticizing London, Ontario mayor Joe Fontana and city councilors for a secret meeting at a restaurant where they discussed city business. The councilors and mayor denied the report.

In November 2014, Marin released a report that was critical of the Liberal government, calling it 'systematic government ineptitude" that led to the deaths of four children in unlicensed home daycares. The investigation was prompted after a 2-year-old child died in an unlicensed daycare in Vaughan. Marin issued 113 recommendations, and called on the province to take urgent action.

Office issues and expenses

A 2006 report for the Canadian Department of National Defence found Marin had created a dysfunctional workplace at his office during his tenure, with multiple complaints and staff departures. In 2010, the Toronto Star investigated human rights and labour complaints made by staff under Andre Marin's tenure. Current and former staff members complained of a culture of fear and harassment. A number of complaints were filed against the ombudsman, the office and his management team with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and the union. Marin had called the allegations "absurd" and stated he had "high expectations" for his employees.

In 2010, The Globe and Mail publicized some of the expenses Marin billed to taxpayers, including his personal grooming products, a $38 toothbrush and a $2,000 flat screen TV for his Ottawa home. The Star also reported that Marin used the office's corporate services director to pick-up his dry cleaning and keep an eye on Marin's maid when she cleaned his Toronto condo.

In April 2015, Marin's expenses came under scrutiny again when the National Post revealed Marin had billed Ontario taxpayers an average of $14,800 in three months for housing expenses so he could maintain residences in both Toronto and Ottawa, sometimes spending more than $2,000 a month in rent while in Toronto. It is estimated Marin billed taxpayers $592,000 in housing since being appointed in 2005.

Extending term

On May 28, 2015, the Ontario Legislature voted to extend Marin's term as ombudsman until September 14 to allow him to wrap-up investigations. Over 60 people applied to become Ontario's next ombudsman, including Marin. On September 14, 2015, a motion to grant Marin a second extension was defeated in the Legislature. On April 15, 2016, Marin sued the Ontario government for wrongful dismissal. Marin claimed to have been fired without cause or notice when he was not rehired for a third term,. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled against Marin.

Later career

After leaving office, Marin began teaching part-time in the University of Ottawa's faculty of law and writing a column for the Ottawa Sun and Toronto Sun. He stopped writing the column in December, 2019. In 2020, Marin was hired by People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier to represent him in a lawsuit filed against political strategist Warren Kinsella alleging Kinsella was hired by the Conservative Party of Canada to run a pre-election campaign of defamation against Bernier. The court dismissed the suit in November 2021.

Politics

On September 24, 2016, Marin was named the Progressive Conservative candidate for the November 2016 by-election in Ottawa—Vanier. He was defeated by Liberal candidate Nathalie Des Rosiers by a 19-point margin, the best performance by a Progressive Conservative candidate in the riding for fifty years. In remarks given after his defeat, Marin warned that party leader Patrick Brown had to put social conservatives "in their place" because they are "a threat to the party" that might cost them the 42nd Ontario general election.

Electoral record

Ontario provincial by-election, November 17, 2016: Ottawa—Vanier
Resignation of Madeleine Meilleur
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Nathalie Des Rosiers 14,979 49.19 -6.37
Progressive Conservative André Marin 9,051 29.72 +7.43
New Democratic Claude Bisson 4,459 14.64 +1.33
Green Raphaël Morin 993 3.26 -4.75
Stop the New Sex-Ed Agenda Elizabeth de Viel Castel 384 1.26
Libertarian Dean T. Harris 177 0.58 -0.26
None of the Above Above Znoneofthe 164 0.54
Canadian Constituents' Stephanie McEvoy 74 0.24
People's Political Party Kevin Clarke 73 0.24
Freedom David McGruer 52 0.17
Pauper John Turmel 48 0.16
Total valid votes 30,454 99.50
Total rejected ballots 153 0.50 -0.80
Turnout 30,607 37.36 -11.49
Eligible voters 81,902
Liberal hold Swing -6.90
Source(s) Elections Ontario

References

  1. Marin, André. "André Marin on about.me". about.me. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  2. ^ Canadian Who's Who 2011. Orillia, Ontario: Third Sector Publishing. 2011. p. 792. ISBN 978-0-921173-27-4.
  3. ^ Hyson, Stewart, ed. (2009). Provincial and Territorial Ombudsman Offices in Canada. University of Toronto Press. p. 200. ISBN 978-1-4426-4067-2.
  4. "Ontario ombudsman wrong person to lead SIU probe, critics say". National Post.
  5. Taylor, Scott (May 6, 2015). "Back to square one on sex abuse in the military". NOW Magazine. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  6. "Lotteries: A Game of Trust". Archived from the original on 2016-09-27. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  7. "Ont. lottery fraud suits urged by ombudsman".
  8. ^ Ferguson, Robert Benzie and Rob (2010-12-07). "Ombudsman Andre Marin has recommended that the little-known 1939 legislation should be revised and protocols developed so the public is made aware when police powers are modified". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  9. ^ Brennan, Richard J. (2013-10-22). "Ontario Ombudsman André Marin's has found a secret meeting of the mayor and six London, Ont. city council members was a betrayal of public trust". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  10. ^ Monsebraaten, Laurie; Oved, Marco Chown (2014-10-22). "Andre Marin issued an unprecedented 113 recommendations, and calls the case of 2-year-old Eva Ravikovich's death in a 'brazenly illegal' daycare, the 'canary in the coal mine.'". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  11. ^ "Ontario's unlicensed daycares require 'urgent action': ombudsman Andre Marin". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  12. Bruser, David; Welsh, Moira (June 2, 2010). "André Marin left dysfunction and discontent as military ombudsman". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 2015-02-20. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  13. ^ Welsh, Moira; Bruser, David (May 28, 2010). "Staff say Ombudsman Andre Marin's Office Plagued by Culture of Fear". Toronto Star. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  14. "Lam v. Ontario Ombudsman, 2009 HRTO 1261". CanLII. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  15. "Foote v. Ombudsman (Ontario), 2008 HRTO 415". CanLII. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  16. ^ Howlett, Karen; Radawanski, Adam (August 23, 2012). "Tables are turned as Ontario Ombudsman's expenses come under scrutiny". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  17. "Public Sector Salary Disclosure 2009". Ontario Ministry of Finance. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  18. Bruser, David (July 11, 2010). "André Marin gave contracts to friend starting in 2001". Toronto Star. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  19. Csanady, Ashley (22 April 2015). "Why are taxpayers forking over hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Ontario ombudsman's pricey commute?". National Post. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  20. Ferguson, Rob (May 28, 2015). "Ontario ombudsman André Marin's job extended". Toronto Star. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  21. "Motion to extend Ontario ombudsman Andre Marin's term denied". City News. Sep 14, 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  22. "Former Ombudsman Andre Marin suing for wrongful dismissal". CP24. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  23. Csanady, Ashley (April 14, 2016). "Ex-Ontario ombudsman sues for wrongful dismissal, says Wynne's office orchestrated public humiliation". National Post. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  24. "Ex-ombudsman André Marin ordered to pay $68K in legal fees after failed lawsuit". CBC News. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  25. Jones, Allison (March 16, 2017). "Court disisses lawsuit from former ombudsman Andre Marin". CP24. The Canadian Press. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  26. Reevely, David (24 September 2016). "Former ombudsman André Marin wants to run for Progressive Conservatives in Ottawa-Vanier". Ottawa Citizen.
  27. "MARIN: Scheer's message lost in fog of war | Toronto Sun". 2019-12-14. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
  28. Curry, Bill (9 December 2020). "Maxime Bernier hires former ombudsman to prepare legal action against Warren Kinsella over racism claims". The Globe and Mail.
  29. "Maxime Bernier's defamation lawsuit against political pundit dismissed by Ontario court".
  30. "Former ombudsman André Marin wants to run for Conservatives in Ottawa-Vanier". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  31. Platt, Brian (November 18, 2016). "Social conservatives a 'threat' to Ontario PCs, says André Marin after byelection loss". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  32. "Internet Application - Search Candidates". Elections Ontario.
Legal offices
Preceded byJames M. Stewart Director of the Special Investigations Unit
1996–1998 		Succeeded byPeter A. Tinsley

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