CFE Initiative

Protecting Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers play a vital public role, often at great expense to themselves, by speaking up about issues of public interest. Canada’s statutory protection for whistleblowers is the worst in the world. The Centre for Free Expression plays a leading role in Canada in promoting law reform and better institutional whistleblowing policies and practices, in public education, in assisting whistleblowers, in research, and in establishing Canada’s National Whistleblower Archives.

CFE provides assistance to individuals who have spoken up or are considering speaking up about corruption, fraud, abuse, illegality, and other threats to the public interest. For information about CFE's assistance and and how to contact CFE please read this advice.

CFE Events and Videos on Whistleblowing

These events bring experts together to discuss how whistleblowers can be effectively protected, why protection for whistleblowers is important in the private and public sectors, and interview prominent Canadian whistleblowers about their efforts to inform the public and the consequences of their actions.

Essential Resources for Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers and those considering speaking up about wrongdoing that harms the public interest should consult these resources.

Peter Bryce Prize for Whistleblowing

The Peter Bryce Prize is awarded annually by the Centre for Free Expression to recognize and honour individuals who serve the greater good by courageously speaking up about wrongdoing or abuses of public trust in Canada or by Canadians or Canadian organizations.

CFE Assessments of Canadian Whistleblower Protection Legislation and Related Publications

CFE Commentaries on Whistleblowing

Prominent Canadian Whistleblowers

CFE Whistleblowing Initiatives Steering Committee

The Centre for Free Expression’s Work on Whistleblower Protection is guided by the CFE Whistleblowing Initiatives Steering Committee – a group of nationally and internationally recognized experts.

Donate to CFE Whistleblowing Initiatives

Whistleblowing serves vital institutional and public purposes. It allows issues of public interest to be identified and resolved internally, where possible, and, where not, it brings alleged wrongdoing to public attention so problems can be corrected and future harm avoided. The Centre for Free Expression is one of Canada’s leading authorities on whistleblowing. Your support makes possible the many vital parts of our whistleblowing initiatives.

CFE Speakers Bureau

Interested in having a speaker on whistleblowing for your organization? The CFE Speakers Bureau provides top keynote speakers and experts to inspire, educate and motivate your audience.

Recommended Readings on Whistleblower Protection

A bibliography on whistleblowing and a list of whistleblower autobiographies

CFE Court submissions on issues relating to whistleblowing and to the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.

CFE has been granted permission by courts to be an intervener in cases dealing with whistleblower protection and the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner. Each Factum provides the position CFE presented to the courts.

More about Whistleblower Protection