Public servants still coming forward with serious concerns, fears of reprisals

By Allan Cutler and Ian Bron
Hill Times: October 27th, 2008

Re: "Canada's public sector integrity commissioner says she reaches out to public sector employees," (The Hill Times, Oct. 13, p. 8).

We read with interest the reply of the Public Service Integrity Commissioner Christine Ouimet to the article by the representatives of the Federal Accountability Initiative for Reform. FAIR, like Canadians for Accountability, seeks to enhance whistleblower protection and ensure honest and open government.

Ms. Ouimet appears to have a programmed response to every commentary on whistleblowing and accountability mechanisms with a standard reply, with much content simply pulled from prepared media materials. Indeed, each letter she has published in The Hill Times has had the "Government of Canada" corporate brand on it. That is, they have not addressed specific criticisms or issues and simply contained bland content that suggests there are no problems in the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, in the current culture in the bureaucracy, in the mechanisms available to potential whistleblowers, or in the work of her office.

This is truly unfortunate, for Ms. Ouimet should be in the best possible position to know better, and to try to improve matters. The fact that there were no issues brought forth to her in her office's first year of operations is a red flag signaling that employees are still too intimidated to come forward, and that there are serious limitations inherent to the PSDPA. Of note, both FAIR and Canadians for Accountability have had individuals come forward to them with serious concerns and fears of reprisals. Recriminations against whistleblowers in the Government of Canada continue just as they have in the past. A simple Google search on the topic should give her concern.

That she asserts that there aren't any systemic problems begs the question: is she simply poorly informed or, as a former ADM of Agriculture, is she still part of the culture of entitlement? In addition, the fact that she has not initiated contact with either FAIR or Canadians for Accountability makes us question her assertion that she is reaching out.

Ms. Ouimet would do well to pay closer attention to the approach and operations of the Office of the Auditor General. While imperfect, the OAG has been instrumental in advancing accountability in the federal government.

Allan Cutler, president
Ian Bron, secretary
Canadians for Accountability
Ottawa, Ont.

Copyright Hill Times 2008