When the Conservatives came into power in 2006 on a platform of improving accountability and integrity in Canada, one of the major promises was to protect whistleblowers. As a result, the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA) came into force. This was an act to protect and encourage whistleblowing. Sadly, after six years, we have to report that little to no progress has been made. Canada still ranks as a Third World country in its legislation. Canada still penalizes and discourages whistleblowing. Canada still appears to value corruption over honesty, integrity and accountability.
The PSDPA established the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner (OPSIC), responsible for aiding and protecting whistleblowers who expose corruption. Surprisingly, the first commissioner, Christiane Ouimet, did not find any cases to investigate. In fact, the only valid whistleblowing case found during her term of office involved the commissioner herself, following an investigation into abuses in her office. This was conducted by then auditor general, Sheila Fraser.
After Ouimet’s resignation in disgrace, a superficial paper review found dozens of cases inappropriately rejected. The damage to most of those individuals had been done and the perpetrators had either changed jobs or had time to ensure any evidence no longer existed. At least one whistleblower eventually resigned from the government and left Canada. She was so disillusioned she told us she had had enough of this country. (more...)
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