FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2001

“A watchdog in every workplace”: Bill 25 should enact whistleblower protection, union says

TORONTO - Proposed legislation to change the Public Service Act should proclaim “whistleblower” protection for Ontario Public Service employees, the head of their union says.

“The Walkerton Inquiry has shown Ontarians the importance of whistleblower protection in getting to the truth of what goes on when things go wrong behind the closed doors of government,” said Leah Casselman, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. “Giving public service employees a confidential way to report government wrongdoing is a crucial safeguard to ensure an open, accountable public service.”

Whistleblower protection was passed in a 1993 overhaul of the Public Service Act but never proclaimed into law. If enacted, it would set up an independent Commission to which public employees could provide information.

“Whistleblowing legislation protects employees and the government of the day,” said Casselman. “It protects workers from reprisals in the workplace and in the courts, and it spares governments from political damage caused by frivolous, unfair, or unjustified allegations.

“The Harris government has made a lot of noise lately about accountability,” Casselman said. “Proclaiming whistleblower protection is a concrete way to increase accountability by putting watchdogs in every OPS workplace.”

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For more information: Randy Robinson (416) 448-7441

More information on Whistleblower Protection.