Office of the Vulnerable Persons’ Commissioner

• Our role
• Where do I go for more information?

Our role:

The Vulnerable Persons’ Commissioner is appointed under Part 4, Substitute Decision Making of The Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Act (the Act).  The mandate of the Office of the Vulnerable Persons’ Commissioner is to implement the substitute decision making provisions of the Act.  In doing so, our goal is to protect the decision-making rights of vulnerable persons through policies and procedures which:

• are developed and implemented in keeping with the Five Guiding Principles which preface the Act
• ensures fair processes, and
• are convenient and accessible to the extent possible.

The specific activities of the Office of the Vulnerable Persons’ Commissioner are to:

• conduct preliminary investigations of applications for substitute decision makers (SDMs);
• appoint hearing panels to review and make recommendations regarding the need for and scope of substitute decision maker appointments
• appoint substitute decision makers, where warranted;
• maintain a register of appointments of substitute decision makers;
• monitor the actions of, and periodically review the need for, the substitute decision maker;
• receive and investigate complaints and mediate and seek to resolve disputes between substitute decision makers; and 
• provide information to vulnerable individuals, their families, substitute decision makers and the general public regarding the substitute decision making process.

In performing his or her statutory duties, the Vulnerable Persons' Commissioner operates independently from the Department of Manitoba Family Services and Consumer Affairs.

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Where do I go for more information?

If you have questions about the substitute decision making provisions or the Act, or are inquiring as to whether a vulnerable person has an appointed substitute decision maker, please contact us through any of the contact information provided below.

Address: Office of the Vulnerable Persons’ Commissioner
305-114 Garry Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4V7
Telephone: (204) 945-5039
Toll-free: 1-800-757-9857
TTY: 948-2192
Fax: (204) 948-3713
General email: vpco@gov.mb.ca
Area Served: Manitoba
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Access: Wheelchair accessible

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