The Public Interest Commissioner has concluded an investigation into allegations against the Department of Justice and Solicitor General. It was alleged the department interfered with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in a manner which contravened the Fatality Inquiries Act and the department grossly mismanaged the procurement for services to transport deceased persons. It was also reported the former Chief Medical Examiner was reprised against as a result of reporting wrongdoing.
The investigation concluded the department did not commit wrongdoing as defined under the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act; however found the department’s management of the procurement was poor and the process was influenced. The investigation further identified concerns with the department’s management and human resource practices.
The investigation also concluded the department did not reprise against the Chief Medical Examiner for reporting wrongdoing to the Public Interest Commissioner. In this case, the department allowed a contract of employment to expire and there is no obligation for a department to renew a contract of employment. This case also highlighted that reporting a perceived wrongdoing internally to persons in authority is not a protected disclosure under the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act.
Read the full report here.