University of Toronto Celebrates 50 Years of the Office of the Ombudsperson
1975 - 2025
On March 19, 2025, the University of Toronto community gathered at Hart House to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Office of the Ombudsperson, marking five decades of dedicated service to promoting fairness, equity, and accountability.
The event opened with remarks from Professor Emeritus Bruce Kidd, the University Ombudsperson, who reflected on the office’s founding on March 20, 1975. Initially launched as a pilot project approved by the Governing Council, the Ombudsperson Office was created in response to the University’s expansion and evolving expectations around equity, clear policy, and fair procedures. It came into being during a period that saw increasing demands for transparency and accountability, particularly with the establishment of the University’s new unicameral system of governance in 1972. Since its inception, the Office has played a pivotal role in upholding procedural fairness and addressing concerns raised by faculty, librarians, staff, and students alike.
Professor Kidd took the opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of past Ombudspersons and staff, recognized university leaders in attendance, and highlighted the Office’s role in shaping key university policies over the years. He also emphasized the Office’s independence and its role in fostering national associations and standards for post-secondary ombudspersons across Canada.
Additional remarks were given by Anna Kennedy, Chair of the Governing Council; Professor Meric Gertler, University President; and Professor Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students. Kennedy spoke on the Office’s relationship with the Governing Council, Gertler highlighted the Ombudsperson's role in strengthening ties between the administration and the University community, and Welsh provided examples of its impact on policy review and reform.
The celebration concluded with a toast led by Professor Kidd, honoring 50 years of service and reaffirming the Office’s commitment to its ongoing role in supporting fairness, equity, and accountability at the University of Toronto.
See U of T Bulletin (April 3, 2025)
Reception at Hart House, March 19, 2025
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