Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee

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Who is the Public Guardian and Trustee?

The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee is a department of the Government of Alberta. It provides services and supports for vulnerable Albertans and their families.

The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee can become the legal guardian or trustee of a an adult who does not have capacity to make decisions and no one else is available to help.

Contact the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee for more information.


What is a Review Officer?

A Review Officer is an employee of the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee who provides information about the Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act to the public and who assists applicants with court applications (including review applications) under the Act.

When you file an application for a guardianship order or trusteeship order, the Review Officer:

  • reviews the documents submitted by the adult and proposed decision-maker;
  • meets with the adult to explain the application as well as the adult’s right to request a hearing and have a lawyer;
  • discusses with the adult their views on the application;
  • sends notice of the application to the appropriate persons;
  • receives any requests for a hearing; and
  • prepares a written report stating the adult’s views and the officer’s opinion about whether the order is proper in the situation.

The Review Officer must also notify specific family members who live in Canada of the application. The AGTA sets out a list of family members.

The notice includes a summary document (called a Notice of Application) and a Request for Hearing form. The person does not get a copy of everything in the application, and does not get a copy of the Capacity Assessment Report.


For more information about the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee see: