About the OPGT

What we do

The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (OPGT) assists people with a variety of services:

Guardianship services

makes personal decisions for adults who are not able to do so – through guardianship (if no one else is available) – that are related to:
- health care
- where to live
- who to associate with
- participation in social activities
- participation in educational, vocational and other training
- employment
- legal proceedings
makes one-time decisions for adults – when they are not able to do so and no other family member is available – that are related to:
- healthcare
- temporary placement at a healthcare facility
- discharge from a healthcare facility
provides information to people about supported decision-making when they need assistance to either:
- access their information
- understand the information they are receiving

Trusteeship services

protects the assets of minors where either:
- it is required by law
- a minor is a beneficiary but no trustee has been named
makes financial decisions for adults – when they are not able to do so and no one else is available – through trusteeship
helps manage – through the voluntary Informal Benefits Administration Program – the funds people receive from the:
- Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Program
- Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) benefit
administers estates if no one else is able to do so and there is a beneficiary who is a:
- minor
- represented adult

Capacity assessment information and court applications

trains capacity assessors and provides them with support when they are preparing capacity assessments
reviews applications – for completeness before they are submitted to court – that are related to:
- co-decision-making
- guardianship
- trusteeship

Complaints

investigates written complaints about decision-makers that meet investigation criteria, including that the decision-makers must be:
- court-appointed guardians and trustees
- agents appointed under personal directives

Advance planning

provides information to people about planning for their future – in case they lose capacity due to injury or illness – using a personal directive
maintains a registry of contact information for agents of personal directives
maintains a registry for international wills

Are you submitting a court application for guardianship, trusteeship or co-decision-making? Be sure that you have provided the email and phone contact information for all parties who will be notified of your application.