OTTAWA - A recent Washington, D.C. conference provided a forum for
sharing the latest lessons from America's 30-year quest to develop
truly effective whistleblower protection laws. Drawing on these
lessons, much stronger legislation is now being brought forward in the
U.S.
Canadian delegate David Hutton, Executive Director of FAIR observed:
"Sadly, everything learned at this conference reinforces the view that
Canada's whistleblower laws are merely a smokescreen, designed to give
the impression that something good is being done while offering little
assistance or protection to honest public servants who so badly need
it."
"Our only national whistle-blower legislation - the Public Servants
Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA) - fails badly on virtually all
counts: it has almost none of the features that American experience
has shown to be essential. It should be no surprise then that the
Canadian system has thus far been completely ineffective."
During her first year of operation, with 21 staff and a budget of $6.5
million, the Public Service Integrity Commissioner has found not a
single instance of wrongdoing in the Canadian federal public service.
For more information, please contact:
David Hutton, Executive Director, FAIR, 613-567-1511
david@fairwhistleblower.ca
http://fairwhistleblower.ca
Federal Accountability Initiative for Reform (FAIR) promotes integrity
and accountability within government by empowering employees to speak
out without fear of reprisal when they encounter wrongdoing. Our aim
is to support legislation and management practices that will provide
effective protection for whistleblowers and hence occupational free
speech in the workplace. FAIR is a registered Canadian charity.