Integrity Commissioner

Deloitte report on closed OPSIC files published

Topics: 
PSIC, Integrity Commissioner, Christiane Ouimet
Rating: 
0

May 4, 2011

The Deloitte report – commissioned by interim Integrity Commissioner Mario Dion to examine hundreds of case files closed by his predecessor Christiane Ouimet – was finally published today.

Publication of the report, which is dated March 31, was held back by Dion to avoid influencing the election, a move that was criticised by some as inappropriate.

Ottawa area candidates debate transparency and accountability

Topics: 
Integrity Commissioner, Government transparency
Rating: 
0
Candidates debate

April 25, 2011

A debate among five Ottawa-area federal election candidates was hosted by the public service union PIPSC and the University of Ottawa. In this segment the candidates respond to a question about government transparency and accountability. (12 min)

The candidates were Pierre Poilièvre (Conservative Party), Mauril Bélanger (Liberal Party), Richard Nadeau (Bloc Québécois), Paul Dewar (NDP), and Jean-Luc Cooke (Green Party) and the moderator was Don Newman.

AG, public sector integrity commissioner could have released reports in election

Topics: 
Integrity Commissioner, Auditor General
Rating: 
4

AG Sheila Fraser refuses to release report on G8 Legacy Infrastructure Fund. Her reasons do not stand up to careful scrutiny.

B. Thomas Hall – April 25, 2011

OTTAWA—I am greatly disturbed by the decision of appointed officials such as the auditor general of Canada and the public sector integrity commissioner not to release reports containing information that the public has a right to see when deciding who should represent them in the next Parliament.

Following the leak of two draft versions of her future report to Parliament, Auditor General Sheila Fraser has steadfastly refused to release her office's findings about the government's use of the G8 Legacy Infrastructure Fund. With the greatest respect, the reasons given by Ms. Fraser on the AG's website do not stand up to careful scrutiny.

Election stalls report into ex-integrity watchdog

Topics: 
PSIC, Integrity Commissioner
Rating: 
4

CBC News – April 18, 2011

Canada's interim integrity commissioner is the blaming the federal election for refusing to disclose a highly-anticipated report, making it the third document that has been shelved because of the campaign.

The Office of the Integrity Commissioner came under intense scrutiny last year after Auditor General Sheila Fraser issued a scathing report into Christiane Ouimet's tenure in the position.

Whistleblower report won't be released during election

Topics: 
PSIC, Integrity Commissioner
Rating: 
0

Althia Raj – April 18, 2011

OTTAWA — The federal whistleblower watchdog is refusing to publicly release a report that shows how many cases it bungled in its 3 1/2 years in office, suggesting it was inappropriate to do so during a federal election campaign.

To help clean up its image, the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner hired an independent firm, Deloitte, to review 221 complaints of wrongdoing that it received and to determine how many were closed without cause and how many now require further investigation.

Better whistleblower protection needed

Topics: 
Integrity Commissioner, PSDPA
Rating: 
0

Elizabeth James – March 23, 2011

". . . expressing truths that are inconvenient to those in power is inherently dangerous and can cause serious harm to you, your career and your family's wellbeing, even to your physical and mental health." Federal Accountability Initiative for Reform (FAIR), Feb. 2011

Most of us cannot know what goes on behind the closed doors of the governments and corporations that, to a large extent, decide how we live our lives.

Feds should table legal advice on Ouimet's $500,000 gag order, say Grits

Topics: 
Integrity Commissioner, Christiane Ouimet
Rating: 
0

Jessica Bruno – March 21, 2011

The gag order on former public sector integrity commissioner Christiane Ouimet's $500,000 exit deal with the government is the most concerning part of the arrangement, says prominent lawyer Paul Champ.

"If this was a private sector settlement then that would make sense, but we're dealing with a significant public office, with an officer who was vested with important responsibilities in terms of ethics and conduct within government, and to have a confidentiality clause like that restraining both the government and Ms. Ouimet from speaking about issues dealing with her office, I think that should be of some concern," he said.

Public Sector Integrity Commissioner's Office fiasco tells a lot about Ottawa works, and it ain't pretty

Topics: 
Integrity Commissioner, Christiane Ouimet
Rating: 
0

Ian Bron, Allan Cutler – March 21, 2011

Canadians should pay close attention to the saga of the public sector integrity commissioner, because it tells a lot about how Ottawa works. And it isn't pretty.

In particular, it teaches us that in Ottawa expediency trumps ethics, and that there is no penalty for bad behaviour—only rewards.

Why good organizations do bad things to good people

Topics: 
Harassment, Reprisals, Integrity Commissioner, Public Accounts Committee
Rating: 
5

David Hutton – March 21, 2011

Former integrity commissioner Christiane Ouimet's testimony to the House Public Accounts Committee seemed to be all about her: how she was victimized by the auditor general's intensive investigation; how she was forced out of office (with a $500,000 payoff); the damage done to her reputation and her health; and the interruption of her vacation to appear before the committee.

Virtually absent from the discussion were two very important groups of people: the whistleblowers whose cases were routinely rejected under Ouimet's leadership; and the alleged wrongdoers who she so effectively shielded from investigation.

What’s Next for Canada's Fallen Integrity Commissioner and Her Former Agency?

Topics: 
Integrity Commissioner, Christiane Ouimet
Rating: 
4.5
Christiane Ouimet

March 17, 2011

Auditor General Sheila Fraser’s scathing report on former Integrity Commissioner Christiane Ouimet is all wrong. At least that’s what Ouimet repeatedly asserted during her long-awaited testimony before the Public Accounts committee.

She was never disrespectful to anyone, there was a complete consensus on every decision she made (to close files), and she can refute every single accusation made against her. But Ouimet’s claims – and the shocking revelation that she received a $500,000 payment to leave – raise more questions than they answer.

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