Assessment of Quebec’s Whistleblower Protection Legislation

By IAN BRON - Harriet Solloway’s first report as integrity commissioner is encouraging in its strong findings, which should serve as a warning to other managers in the public service.

In this submission to the Task Force reviewing the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, Canada’s whistleblower protection legislation, the Centre for Free Expression puts forward a small number of changes to the legislation that are essential if it is to afford any real protections to those who speak out about problems and wrongdoing.  CFE points out the urgent need for change given that in the 17 years since the law came into effect, during which time more than 500 people have submitted formal complaints of reprisal, not one has received any remedy.

Michèle Brill-Edwards has been appointed a senior fellow at the Centre for Free Expression (CFE) at Toronto Metropolitan University. Dr. Brill-Edwards is a pediatrician and clinical pharmacologist and a prominent Canadian whistleblower.