Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

OTTAWA - After pressuring past governments for decades to provide real protection for whistleblowers, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is concerned the government’s new Accountability Act may not go far enough.

“On the surface it appears that this legislation will offer more protection against reprisals for all workers in the federal public sector who come forward to make a disclosure of wrongdoing,” said PSAC National President Nycole Turmel.

“We will be undertaking a thorough analysis of the proposed legislation,” Turmel added. PSAC has applied and is expected to be invited to testify to the House Committee that will hear presentations on the legislation.

“The majority of day-to-day decision-making and operations within the federal public sector are well handled, and citizens get true value for money from them,” Turmel said. “PSAC members employed by the federal government are committed to providing quality front line public services that Canadians have come to count on. They’re dedicated, ethical and competent.”

PSAC will review the draft legislation’ s proposed strengthening of whistleblowing protection and the proposed mechanism to deal with reprisals, because PSAC remains concerned that the suggested changes still may not provide adequate protection. “The fact is the prevailing culture in the federal government is still one of fear and intimidation when it comes to exposing wrongdoing. PSAC intends to monitor the Conservative government to ensure that whistleblowers are fully protected,” said Turmel.

Turmel raised a caution about the lack of interim measures such as allowing public sector workers easier access to a neutral third party and interim reinstatement when they come forward to make a disclosure. Turmel also raised the need to ensure full resources are in place to remedy any wrongful situation. “Many of the recommendations related to the Public Service Integrity Commissioner will require more staff and resources,” she said. “We are extremely concerned that the government will accept these suggestions without providing adequate resources to get the job done.”

Another issue that PSAC will examine closely in the next few weeks is the limitations on Access to Information incorporated into the Accountability legislation. “For a government that trumpets transparency, we find it somewhat ironic that the Accountability legislation would include limits on access to information,” said Turmel.

The PSAC with 154,000 members is the largest union representing federal public sector workers.