Whistleblower protection under Mario Dion: a chronology
The following is a chronology of events related to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA) and its implementation by the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner (PSIC) under the leadership of Mario Dion.
Dion's appointment as Public Sector Integrity Commissioner for a 7-year term was confirmed by Parliament on 14 December 2011, following two six-month terms as Interim Commissioner.
For previous events see PSIC under Christiane Ouimet
| — 2010 — | |
| 14 December 2010 | Treasury Board President Stockwell Day announces appointment of interim Commissioner Mario Dion |
| 15 December 2010 | Dr. Edward W. Keyserlingk, former Public Sector Integrity Officer writes a letter to MP Pat Martin, Vice-Chair of the Government Operations and Estimates Committee, deploring Dion's appointment. |
| — 2011 — | |
| 28 February 2011 | Dion is criticized in the House for disclosing information about a whistleblower case to the clerk of the Privy Council |
| 31 May 2011 | Inaugural meeting of PSIC Advisory Committee, which includes civil society organizations and various other stakeholders |
| 7 June 2011 | Dion's term as interim commissioner is renewed for another six months |
| 14 June 2011 | Fourth Annual report tabled (pdf) revealing zero cases of wrongdoing found. Dion was never called to Parliament to testify regarding this report. |
| 12 July 2011 | PSIC Advisory Committee second meeting |
| 20 September 2011 | PSIC Advisory Committee supplementary meeting: a briefing by PSIC staff on the basics of PSDPA |
| 27 September 2011 | PSIC Advisory Committee third meeting |
| 8 November 2011 | FAIR briefing regarding whistleblowing legislative context and flaws in PSDPA. Meeting held on APEX premises – PSIC Advisory Committee members invited |
| 7 December 2011 | Prime Minister Harper announces the nomination of interim commissioner Mario Dion to become the next Public Sector Integrity Commissioner |
| 12 December 2011 | FAIR and other groups raise concerns about appointment, including a call for 10 Questions to be answered |
| Dion testifies before the Senate, meeting in plenary. Read transcript | |
| 13 December 2011 | The Senate approves Dion's appointment |
|
Dion testifies before the Government Operations and Estimates Committee. No other witnesses are called. A motion to call witnesses including FAIR is debated briefly then withdrawn under the threat of forcing the committee into camera. Read transcript, watch video, read Kady O`Malley`s liveblog |
|
| 14 December 2011 | FAIR and other groups hold a news conference (see video and transcript) stating concerns about appointment |
| The House approves Dion's appointment 'by division' (not unanimous but individual votes are not recorded). Green Party leader Elizabeth May goes on record that she voted against the appointment | |
| 21 December 2011 | Treasury Board tables draft Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service – six years after the PSDPA became law |
| — 2012 — | |
| 31 January 2012 | Dion testifies before the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance. Watch video |
| 7 March 2012 |
PSIC reports to Parliament its first case of founded wrongdoing. See case report (pdf) |
| 20 March 2012 | PSIC Advisory Committee fourth meeting |
For previous events see PSIC under Christiane Ouimet
Notes
- All of the above information is gleaned from publicly available sources
- FAIR takes no responsibility for any errors, but will correct these immediately if notified
- We welcome additional information related to this chrononogy, whether or not it is in the public domain. Contact us
