Whistleblower Protection

CFE Senior Fellow David Hutton has published an excellent 4-part series in The Hill Times that critically examines federal whistleblower protection in Canada. Click on the links below to read the articles. David Hutton, House Government Operations Committee leaps into action to protect whistleblowers, or does it?, The Hill Times, Monday, Feb. 13, 2017 12:00 AM

By DAVID HUTTON When examining the sorry track record of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner’s Office, it’s easy to overlook those primarily responsible: it was Privy Council Office (PCO) and the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS), working mostly behind the scenes, who—intentionally or not—set up PSIC to fail. Here’s how it was done. The Role of Treasury Board Treasury Board drafted faulty legislation

By DAVID HUTTON Last week, I wrote about the shortcomings of our government whistleblower protection system by examining the law itself. But that’s only half of the story: the efficacy of the program depends equally on those managing it, especially the public sector integrity commissioner.

By DAVID HUTTON Whistleblower protection advocates across Canada were celebrating last week when the news broke that Treasury Board President Scott Brison had suddenly asked the House Government Operations Committee (OGGO) to conduct a review of the federal whistleblower protection law (the PSDPA). This review, which by law should have taken place five years ago, has been steadfastly blocked by Treasury Board since 2012. Why the sudden change of heart? No one knows.

By David Hutton, Senior Fellow, Centre for Free Expression and Former Executive Director, FAIR