C B C . C A N e w s - F u l l S t o r y :
Liberals introduce new whistleblower legislation
Last Updated Mon, 22 Mar 2004 20:17:06
OTTAWA -
In the wake of the sponsorship scandal, the federal government
introduced new whistleblower legislation Monday to protect public
service employees who report wrongdoing in government departments and
Crown corporations.
Employees of cabinet ministers along with public servants working in
areas of national security, including the RCMP, CSIS, Communications
Security Establishment and National Defence, are not covered under the
new legislation.
The proposed law would also create a Public Service Integrity
Commissioner to investigate complaints and allegations.
The appointed commissioner would report to a cabinet minister rather
than to Parliament, which is troubling for bureaucrats.
"Public servants tell me consistently they won't come forward unless
they have an independent agency," said public service integrity officer
Edward Keyserlingk.
Opposition parties have said a commissioner who reports directly to
Parliament is the only way to build confidence among bureaucrats and
ensure investigations are independent.
The bill is the first to offer bureaucrats legal protection against
reprisals for reporting wrongdoing in government.
Written by CBC News Online staff
"This important bill is the central point of the government's firm
commitment to ensure transparency, accountability, financial
accountability and ethics," said Privy Council president Denis Coderre.
Denis
Coderre
Copyright © 2004 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved