Updated Library of Parliament Research Publication on Federal Public Sector Whistleblowing

The Library of Parliament has updated its research publication entitled Federal Public Sector Whistleblowing:

"Disclosing wrongdoing in the public sector and protecting public servants who make disclosures is not new. It has been the subject of task forces, policies, codes, reports, studies and both government and private members’ bills since 1996."

"However, the findings of the 2003 November Report of the Auditor General of Canada and the subsequent commission of inquiry into the Government of Canada sponsorship programs from 1997 to 2001 and its advertising activities from 1998 to 2003, known as the Gomery Commission, brought to the fore the need for better protection for whistleblowers who attempt to disclose wrongdoing in the federal public service."

"According to the Phase 1 report of the Gomery Commission (Who Is Responsible?), attempting to disclose questionable business practices and possible mismanagement of public funds during the periods under review did, in fact, cost one public servant his job.4 That public servants might be reluctant to report questionable practices within their departments or agencies seemed likely, given the real possibility of reprisal, together with a lack of protection for whistleblowers."

The document briefly looks at the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, the recommebdations of theGomery Commission into the federal sponsorship scandal, as well s other federal and provincial legislation.