Whistleblower conference highlights flaws in Canadian law

July 8th, 2008

OTTAWA - A recent Washington, D.C. conference provided a forum for sharing the latest lessons from America's 30-year quest to develop truly effective whistleblower protection laws. Drawing on these lessons, much stronger legislation is now being brought forward in the U.S.

Canadian delegate David Hutton, Executive Director of FAIR observed: "Sadly, everything learned at this conference reinforces the view that Canada's whistleblower laws are merely a smokescreen, designed to give the impression that something good is being done while offering little assistance or protection to honest public servants who so badly need it."

"Our only national whistle-blower legislation - the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA) - fails badly on virtually all counts: it has almost none of the features that American experience has shown to be essential. It should be no surprise then that the Canadian system has thus far been completely ineffective."

During her first year of operation, with 21 staff and a budget of $6.5 million, the Public Service Integrity Commissioner has found not a single instance of wrongdoing in the Canadian federal public service.

For complete conference report click here