Executive Council
 June 30, 2014

Supporting Employees with Principle-Based Governance

New Whistleblower Legislation to Come into Force

Legislation which protects the integrity of the public service in Newfoundland and Labrador will come into force tomorrow (Tuesday, July 1). The Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblower Protection Act allows public service employees to disclose serious and significant wrongdoings without fear or threat of reprisal.

“Last spring, I was proud to stand in the House of Assembly and introduce whistleblower legislation for public service employees in Newfoundland and Labrador. This legislation ensures that employees who use the whistleblower legislation in good faith are protected from acts of reprisal, and it features an independent process for receiving and investigating complaints through the Office of the Citizens’ Representative. The legislation is also consistent with government’s broader commitment to open government, ethical conduct and enhanced integrity within the public sector.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement

Under the new legislation, the Office of the Citizens’ Representative is responsible for receiving and investigating disclosures of serious and significant wrongdoings. The legislation will apply to employees within government departments, as well as those employed with government boards, corporations, authorities and agencies. The Citizens’ Representative is currently tasked with these responsibilities for the Speaker, the Clerk and Members and employees of the House of Assembly.

To learn more about the Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblower Protection Act and the role of Office of the Citizens’ Representative, please visit www.citizensrep.nl.ca. external link The website includes a fact sheet about the program, definitions for wrongdoings and reprisals, the process for investigating complaints, applicable forms, and other useful information.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblower Protection Act will come into force July 1, 2014.
  • The legislation allows public service employees in Newfoundland and Labrador to disclose serious and significant wrongdoings without fear or threat of reprisal.
  • The Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblower Protection Act will apply to employees of all government departments, as well as other public bodies, such as school boards and regional health authorities.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador has joined the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Government of Canada, all of which have laws aimed at investigating significant and serious allegations of wrongdoing, and protection against reprisal.
  • To learn more about the Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblower Protection Act and the role of Office of the Citizens’ Representative, please visit www.citizensrep.nl.ca.  External Link

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Media contact:
Kip Bonnell
Communications Manager Office of Public Engagement
709-729-1221, 687-9081
kbonnell@gov.nl.ca

2014 06 30                                                                 3:20 p.m.