Featured Cases

Our featured cases provide examples of many types of concerns that people bring to our office. Whenever possible, we try to help resolve complaints informally, which you can see in many of these examples. Names have been changed to protect the identity of the people involved.

You can also see copies of investigation reports on our Public Reports page.


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Confirming Identity

SaskPower refused to provide Steve with power and did not believe him when he said that previous unpaid bills were due to a relative fraudulently using power in his name.

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Is my health card still good?

Orinda was having trouble renewing her health card after serving time in the federal system. She wanted to see a doctor, but her health card stickers had expired...

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Unplugged

Matthew owed money to SaskPower and was making the agreed payments of $200/month. So why was his power cut off without notice?

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Decisions Needed

Jane thought she had been waiting too long for an appeal decision from an adjudicator appointed under The Saskatchewan Employment Act...

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The Missing Meter

Nelson had a problem with his municipal water bill and with flooding in his yard. He told us he was also banned from the municipal office.

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Managing Patient Flow

When her brother became ill, Lana called an ambulance - but when the hospital had no beds, he had to be taken to another community. Who should pay for the second trip?

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Checking the Process

Kegan contacted us with concerns about the way his municipal council was handling a proposed development project...

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If It’s Not on File…

The Regina Housing Authority told Ida that she owed them rent from an apartment she lived in more than 10 years ago - but she thought she was paid up...

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The Invisible Program

Two families contacted us about the Saskatoon Health Region’s Individualized Funding (IF) program. Eligible individuals who are accepted into the IF program are given funds to arrange and pay for supportive care services on their own...

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A Matter of Dignity

Joe contacted us while at a provincial correctional centre. He told us that he broke sprinkler heads in his cell while suffering a panic attack. He said he was then strapped into a restraint chair while naked...

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Nobody Noticed

Hilda had been on a SaskEnergy payment plan for 10 years, but nobody noticed that the pre-authorized payments had been coming out of another customer’s account for all those years. Now Hilda, a senior on a fixed income, suddenly had a large bill to pay.

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Bridging Communications

Gail had been banned from visiting her husband Glen, who was living in a long-term care facility. The two had been together for 50 years...

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I Just Found Out

Fern had been receiving dialysis for two years and had paid almost $5,000 for part of the medication. When she learned that it would have been covered by the Ministry of Health, she applied for reimbursement - but was only reimbursed for half. Why?

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How Was She to Know?

Denise had a dispute with her landlord, who took the matter to the Office of Residential Tenancies. When she disagreed with the decision, however, there was some confusion about what she should do next...

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Questions from Grieving Parents

Danielle and Don’s daughter was under 18 when she died in a motor vehicle accident. After the accident, they learned that, because she had been the driver of one of the vehicles involved, a complete post-mortem would be required. They did not approve...

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When Was That Exactly?

Dexter* and Desiree*, who were both in their 90s, were returning to Saskatchewan after spending a couple of years in another province - but ran into a snarl of red tape around getting their health cards reinstated.

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Visiting Privileges

Darcy wanted his children to be able to visit him while he was in jail, but he misunderstood how the visiting lists worked and he didn't include his ex-wife. Would he have to wait six months before he could see his children?

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Providing Complete Information

Ethan had been injured at work and was receiving benefits from WCB, but he had some concerns...

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Things That Go Bump in the Night

Eddie was driving on the highway one night when he felt a bump. There was ice and snow on the road and his traction was kicking in and out, so he thought that must have been the cause...

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Bridging Communications

Gail was banned from visiting her husband Glen, who was in long-term care. Communication between Gail, the facility and health region had stalemated and she did not want to sign the region's proposed agreement. How would she be able to visit Glen?

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Interesting Weeds You Have There…

Clive had a heavy weed infestation in his conventional canola. He had them sprayed, but most of them continued to thrive. He made a crop loss claim which was denied. What could he do? What sort of weeds were they anyway?

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Who Should Pay?

With his condition deteriorating and the next specialist appointment months away, Christopher went to an out-of-country clinic for an assessment. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had surgery at the clinic. Who should pay and why?

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What Happened to My Application?

Clyde applied to subdivide and sell a section of land. More than a year later, with no decision from Municipal Affairs, he learned that his land was going to be annexed into the neighboring community. This would increase his costs.

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Saving Sight

Cyril needed a type of eye surgery not available in Saskatchewan, so his eye specialist referred him to a surgeon in Ontario. He understood that all medical costs would be covered, but was only partially reimbursed. What about the rest of his expenses?

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I Don’t Dig It

Brad applied to lease a gravel pit on Crown land. While he waited for a response, another company was granted three leases. Three years later Brad still did not have the lease he applied for or anything comparable. What could be done?

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Have I Seen You Somewhere Before?

Abbey disagreed with the costs charged by a provincially-managed cemetery, so she complained to the Consumer’s Branch in the Ministry of Justice – only to find that she was dealing with the same person!

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Why Don’t You Trust Me?

Adriane’s husband Arthur was living in a health region's long-term care facility. Adriane told us she was only allowed to visit him with a security guard present. Why did they make that decision? What could be done?

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Blood Tests, Re-tests and Results

Carl believed the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory had lost his bloodwork three times in eleven years. He was concerned because he had been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and believed he may have gone untreated for several years. What had happened?

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Internet Service for a Northern Family

Rick* and Roxy* had slow Internet service for a year. Should they be compensated?

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Delay in Pepper Spray Decontamination

Rachelle was sprayed with pepper spray while in jail. She was not decontaminated until 30 hours later. Why?

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Too Wet to Seed

Albert made a claim to the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) because he thought his land was too wet to seed. SCIC disagreed. Why?

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Winterzing the Bees

Arlo needed a power upgrade so he could keep his bees alive over the winter, but was experiencing delays with SaskPower. Would he receive his upgrade in time?

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Will I be Evicted?

April received a letter warning her that she could be evicted if there were any more complaints about her – but she didn’t know what the complaints were about. She felt threatened and afraid. What could she do?

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Ease the Pain

August was prescribed Marinol and medical marijuana to control his back pain, but the Workers’ Compensation Board chose not to pay for its use. Why?

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60 Hours by Bus

Andy, a retired police officer, was subpoenaed to appear in court, but was not well enough to make the 60-hour bus trip funded by the province. Was there another option?

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