(Legislative Assembly of Alberta)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

kevin brezinski

Alberta appoints new ombudsman and public interest commissioner

Jan 31, 2023 | 4:41 PM

The province has installed its tenth Ombudsman and third Public Interest Commissioner, it shared in a release late Tuesday.

Kevin Brezinski has accepted the dual role with a five-year term.

“Hearing I had been chosen as Alberta’s next Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner was a great honour for me,” Brezinski says. “I look forward to serving Albertans and supporting collaborative resolution of complaints across both offices.”

As an independent Officer of the Legislative Assembly, Brezinski will lead investigative operations for both offices.

According to a release, the Alberta Ombudsman has, since 1967, protected the peoples’ right to fair treatment when accessing a public service.

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“By investigating complaints, the Ombudsman promotes standards of fairness and makes recommendations for improvement when unfairness occurs,” the release explains. “The Public Interest Commissioner’s office creates a safe avenue for public sector employees to blow the whistle on significant and serious wrongdoing they believe to be unlawful, dangerous to the public or injurious to the public interest.”

Brezinski had a 30-year career with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) and various policing roles providing for extensive experience working within the guidelines of administrative law. Brezinski served most recently as Deputy Chief of Investigations and Support Services Bureau. He also served as the senior officer in charge of the Professional Standards Branch dealing with complaints against police officers and the police service.

Brezinski’s predecessor, Marianne Ryan, concluded her appointment as Alberta Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner in June 2022. Since then, Deputy Ombudsman and Deputy Commissioner Peter Sherstan served in an acting capacity until the day Brezinski was appointed.

“I would like to thank Ms. Ryan for her leadership and dedicated service these past five years,” said Brezinski. “Both Marianne and Peter Sherstan have been effective in building two strong teams.”