Search form

Language selection

  • Help: Change text size

    To change text size, use the browser commands.

    Safari

    In the toolbar, select View > Zoom > Zoom In, Reset or Zoom Out. On the keyboard, press COMMAND + to zoom in, COMMAND - to zoom out or COMMAND 0 to reset.

    Chrome

    In the toolbar, select View > Zoom In, Actual Size or Zoom Out. On the keyboard, press COMMAND + (Mac) or CTRL + (Windows) to zoom in, COMMAND - (Mac) or CTRL - (Windows) to zoom out or COMMAND 0 (Mac) or CTRL 0 (Windows) to view actual size

    Firefox

    In the toolbar, select View > Zoom > Zoom In, Reset or Zoom Out. On the keyboard, press COMMAND + (Mac) or CTRL + (Windows) to zoom in, COMMAND - (Mac) or CTRL - (Windows) to zoom out or COMMAND 0 (Mac) or CTRL 0 (Windows) to view actual size

    Internet Explorer

    In the toolbar, select Options > Zoom > Zoom In, Custom or Zoom Out. On the keyboard, press CTRL + to zoom in, CTRL - to zoom out or CTRL 0 to reset.

Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, Joe Friday disappointed in Government’s response resulting in no legislative changes to the federal whistleblowing regime

News Release Type
News Releases
Publication Date

Ottawa, October 23, 2017 - In February of this year, Commissioner Friday tabled 16 substantive proposals for legislative change during the Government’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Operations and Estimates review of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (the Act).  Key among these proposals were the reversal of onus of proof for reprisal complainants before the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal; the removal of the requirement of good faith for whistleblowers; and more comprehensive remedies for victims of reprisal.  These are changes that cannot be achieved through administrative practices or procedures; they require a change to the Act. 

“I am disappointed that the Government response to the Committee’s report, tabled in Parliament on Monday, October 16th, proposed no legislative changes,” states Commissioner Friday.  “While I welcome and support any and all administrative and operational changes to improve the internal disclosure regime, which is outside the authority of my role as Commissioner, I am disappointed that the opportunity was not taken to make formal legislative changes to improve the whistleblowing system at this time.”

The Commissioner’s proposals represent best international practices and reflect the evolution in the understanding and recognition of the necessity of having a supportive and responsive public sector whistleblowing program.

The Commissioner’s Office will continue to identify and put into place policies and approaches that allow it to be as effective and as responsive as it can under the Act in its current state. This will include the continuation of the development of policies to provide clarity around its operations and provide essential information to help people make informed decisions about coming forward with a disclosure of wrongdoing or a complaint of reprisal. The Office will also continue the implementation of service standards to support operational efficiency as well as focused outreach and engagement to build confidence and ensure that its valuable role and important mandate are clearly understood.

 

-30-

 

 

For more information, contact:

Edith Lachapelle

Manager, Communications

Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada

Telephone: 613-946-2138 or 613-294-1678

Email: Lachapelle.Edith@psic-ispc.gc.ca

Date modified: