Whistle blower bill ready for P.E.I.'s spring session
A bill to protect civil servants when they expose colleagues breaking the law or going against government policy has been tabled in the legislature and will be discussed in the spring session.
The Public Interest Disclosure Act was introduced by Opposition leader Olive Crane just before the fall sitting ended Tuesday night. Crane said it's exactly what civil servants need to have the confidence to come forward when they see wrongdoing.
"This legislation, for me, is just another tool," she said.
"The protection's there in the event that something comes up that they witness, or are asked to participate in something that's not right."
The bill states anyone who works for government would be protected if they come forward with things they see, or information they have, of something that is either illegal or against government or departmental policy. Crane said the bill would even trump any kind of confidentiality agreement an employee might have signed.
Private member's bills rarely become law, especially when they come from opposition. Nevertheless, Premier Robert Ghiz told the legislature this week he'd consider the bill.
"The leader of the Opposition, she can bring in a bill. We'll take a look at it, and if it's a good bill for the people of Prince Edward Island, we will pass it," said Ghiz.
Crane is challenging Ghiz to pass the legislation or something similar, pointing out this was a government elected on the promise of being open and transparent.
