Government of Canada to Introduce Legislation to Protect Whistleblowers

News Release

February 10, 2004Ottawa - As part of its efforts to reinforce and protect ethical behaviour throughout the federal public sector, the Honourable Denis Coderre, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada, today announced that the government will introduce legislation to protect disclosers of wrongdoing, no later than March 31, 2004."It is clear that public sector employees must be able to raise concerns about wrongdoing without fear of reprisal," said Minister Coderre. "We are committed to building a supportive working environment where employees feel safe in coming forward to report incidents of wrongdoing".In receiving the report of the Working Group on the Disclosure of Wrongdoing on January 30, Minister Coderre said that the Government of Canada intended to act quickly on its recommendations by engaging parliamentarians in a fulsome debate and consulting with federal public service unions on the options for proposed legislation.The key findings of the Working Group's report are: A legislated regime is required for the disclosure of wrongdoing; The regime should be placed within a broader framework of values and ethics, rather than focus exclusively on "whistleblowing"; The regime should cover all federal public sector institutions including Crown Corporations; and A new office should be created to incorporate the functions of the existing Public Service Integrity Officer to act as an independent investigative body for disclosures of wrongdoing, and this office should report to Parliament either directly or through a minister.Facilitating the reporting of wrongdoing and strengthening protection of federal public service employees against reprisals is in keeping with the government's efforts to reinforce ethical behaviour throughout the public sector. Minister Coderre will introduce legislation by no later than March 31, 2004 as part of the government's response to the Auditor General's report tabled today in the House of Commons.- 30 -For more information, contact:Sarah Bain Press Secretary Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada (613) 943-1838Chantal Scarlett Media Relations Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada (613) 952-3272IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613) 957-9090This news release is available online at: www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pshrmac-agrhfpc/. Newly created, the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada is in the process of finalizing its Website. Its new Website address will be announced shortly.

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Government of Canada to Introduce Legislation to Protect Whistleblowers

News Release

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