Ombud NB receives and investigates complaints from individuals who are not satisfied with how a public body or health care provider responded to certain types of requests for information, or if they think a public body or health care provider breached their privacy by mishandling their personal information and/or personal health information. Ombud NB also receives self-reported privacy breaches made by public bodies, as well as reviews other types of requests made by public bodies to the Ombud. Ombud NB is also responsible for reviewing whether someone should be granted access to certain public records held in the Provincial Archives.

Ombud NB has the authority to investigate complaints from current employees of the public service respecting matters that are potentially unlawful, dangerous to the public or injurious to the public interest. This is commonly referred to as whistleblower complaints.

Ombud NB may investigate allegations of favouritism made by unsuccessful candidates in the hiring process for appointments to the civil service.