Harper Promises Stronger Whistleblower Legislation

February 1, 2006

In a press conference following release of the Gomery Report Part 2, Stephen Harper reiterated his promise to enact an Accountability Act, as set out during his election campaign.

The Accountability Act promises to:

• Give the Public Service Integrity Commissioner the power to enforce compliance with the Act.
• Ensure that all Canadians who report government wrongdoing are protected, not just public servants.
• Remove the government’s ability to exempt Crown corporations and other bodies from the Act.
• Require the prompt public disclosure of information revealed by whistleblowers, except where national security or the security of individuals is affected.
• Ensure that whistleblowers have access to the courts and that they are provided with adequate legal counsel.
• Establish monetary rewards for whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing or save taxpayers dollars.

These are sensible and necessary measures, and exactly the kind of action required to make it harder for wrongdoers to suppress the truth.

Click here to see the campaign platform "Stand Up For Canada' which contains these promises.