Saskatchewan

Senior University of Regina official embroiled in another CO2 controversy

Topics: 
Saskatchewan, Academia, Conflict of interest, Environment
Rating: 
3

Geoff Leo – March 18, 2013

A University of Regina official who was connected to the IPAC-CO2 case is now being connected to a second carbon-capture controversy. Court documents say Ian Bailey, who headed up the University Industry Liaison Office (UILO), played a central role in a dispute between the institution and two private companies.

In 2008, he was the University's representative in negotiations with Saskatchewan-based HTC Purenergy and South Korea-based Doosan.

Officials shocked by flow of money in Saskatchewan CO2 project

Topics: 
Saskatchewan, Academia, Conflict of interest, Environment
Rating: 
0

CBC News – February 20, 2013

After concerns were raised about an apparent conflict of interest one at of Saskatchewan's most prominent scientific ventures, some started asking: were hundreds of thousands of tax dollars wasted?

Carmen Dybwad, CEO of the Regina-based International Performance Assessment Centre for the Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide (IPAC-CO2), says she was stunned when she first arrived and found out hundreds of thousands of dollars were pouring out of IPAC's bank account and going to a single private vendor.

Whistleblower Hotline Established For Saskatchewan's Uranium Workers

Topics: 
Saskatchewan, Nuclear industry, Hotlines, Mining
Rating: 
0

MBC Radio News – October 11, 2012

A new whistleblower hotline has been set up for workers in Saskatchewan's uranium industry. The new line is the brainchild of the Committee for Future Generations -- a group that opposes the current dialogue between northern communities and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization about potential storage areas for nuclear waste.

Pat McNamara is a carpenter from BC who came to Saskatchewan a few months ago to help committee members get their message across. He says, during his time in the province, he has heard from several northerners concerned about safety issues at mine sites -- and that's why the line was set up:

Privacy watchdog says Saskatchewan needs to protect whistleblowers

Topics: 
Legislation, Privacy, Saskatchewan
Rating: 
4
Gary Dickson

Jennifer Graham – June 26, 2012

Saskatchewan's privacy commissioner says the province needs to create whistleblower protection rules. Gary Dickson said every year about half a dozen public-sector employees contact his office to report possible breaches.

Dickson said in his annual report Tuesday that in some cases, it is covering up a loss of personal information of clients or patients. In others it may be destruction of records to frustrate a possible access to information request, he said. But those workers aren't protected and Dickson said his office has to tell them to proceed at their own risk.

Saskatchewan whistleblower sues province

Topics: 
Harassment, Reprisals, Saskatchewan
Rating: 
0

Barb Pacholik – February 15, 2012

A career civil servant, who was once responsible for provincial harassment investigations in Saskatchewan, alleges he was forced from his job as a director at a Regina youth facility after blowing the whistle on harassing behaviour.

The provincial government says not so - and contends he was treated fairly. The dispute is outlined in a lawsuit and corresponding statement of defence filed recently with Regina Court of Queen's Bench.

Saskatchewan whistleblowers silenced

Topics: 
Legislation, Saskatchewan
Rating: 
3

William M. Glenn – December 2011

Saskatchewan's new Public Interest Disclosure Act is meant to protect whistleblowers from job-related reprisals, but will also bar public sector employees from bringing concerns about suspected wrongdoings to the media.

Are these "protections" just another way to keep a lid on potentially embarrassing government leaks?

Saskatchewan Whistle-Blower Law "A Step Backwards": NDP

Topics: 
Legislation, Saskatchewan, Provinces & territories
Rating: 
4

James Wood – August 30, 2011

A new law that is supposed to help provincial government whistleblowers will come into force on Thursday.But the Opposition NDP said the primary effect of the Public Interest Disclosure Act will be to keep the blown whistle mostly silent to the general public.

"This is a step backwards, not a step forwards," said NDP house leader Kevin Yates."What this legislation really does is keeps all the information internal to the government for a significant period of time, if not forever."

Saskatchewan Whistle-Blower Law To Take Effect

Topics: 
Legislation, Saskatchewan, Provinces & territories
Rating: 
0

CBC News – August 29, 2011

Saskatchewan's new whistleblower protection law comes into force this week.The Public Interest Disclosure Act will spell out where provincial employees should go if they suspect wrongdoing in their workplace.

Public Service Commission Minister June Draude said workers need a safe place to go with their concerns, rather than leaking problems to the media or political opposition.

Sask. real estate body under investigation

Topics: 
Regulatory oversight, Saskatchewan
Rating: 
3

CBC News – July 25, 2011

The practices of the Saskatchewan Real Estate Commission are under investigation following complaints raised by a former auditor of the agency.

The commission is an industry body that oversees real estate agents in the province. A government official has confirmed to CBC News that investigators are actively examining the allegations raised in a complaint by Allan York, who resigned from the commission in June after five years.

Feds to release more secret intelligence files on Tommy Douglas

Topics: 
Access to information, Saskatchewan
Rating: 
0

Joan Bryden – December 19, 2010

OTTAWA - The federal government has relented on its adamant refusal to release decades-old intelligence on socialist icon Tommy Douglas. It's now promising to review the file and release additional material.

The promise follows a closed-door hearing during which a Federal Court judge expressed concern about the continued secrecy surrounding the file compiled by the RCMP on a figure of such historic significance.

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