This March 24, we hope you join us in celebrating Whistleblower Awareness Day! On Whistleblower Awareness Day, participating organizations across the country will raise awareness of the important role whistleblowers play in strengthening the integrity of public institutions. This initiative acknowledges the courage of public sector employees who choose to speak up and tell the…
A swearing-in ceremony for the leader of two independent offices of the Alberta Legislative Assembly took place today. Kevin Brezinski is Alberta’s tenth Ombudsman and third Public Interest Commissioner, accepting a five-year appointment to the dual roles. As an independent Officer of the Legislative Assembly, Brezinski will lead investigative operations for both offices. “Hearing I…
The office’s ninth annual report was tabled before the Legislative Assembly today. New this year, the 2021-22 annual report features articles including one titled Explaining “Reprisal”. Here, we provide a summary of the office’s experience and perspective on handling complaints of reprisal since our office opened in 2013. Another article, Risks of Conflating Whistleblower Procedures…
The Alberta Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner’s offices welcomed distinguished guests from Nigeria this week. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, is a special committee of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with powers of oversight functions and mandate to consider all petitions from Nigerians, both public and private. The…
For a second year, the offices will close daily operations on September 30 to enable staff to commemorate the day with study, reflection and community activities dedicated to further both personal and collective reconciliation. “Acknowledging the traumatic intergenerational impact the residential school system had, and continues to have, on thousands of Indigenous children and their…
Join us in celebrating Journée des lanceurs d’alerte / Whistleblower Awareness Day on March 24, 2022. “Last year, public integrity offices across Canada recognized Whistleblower Awareness Day for the first time. By continuing to recognize this national initiative, we highlight the important role whistleblowers play in our society. Further, it reminds public entities under Alberta’s…
PEI becomes the latest province to appoint an independent officer responsible for ensuring fairness and providing a safe avenue for whistleblower complaints in the public service. Next week, Sandy Hermiston will become the province’s first Ombudsperson and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner. The Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO) warmly welcomes the news. “On behalf of…
Purpose of the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act (the Act) The purpose of the Act is to give employees in the public service a safe and confidential avenue to report wrongdoing that may be unlawful, dangerous or injurious to the public interest. The Act gives the Public Interest Commissioner the authority to investigate certain…
Edmonton – On November 4, 2021, the 8th annual report generated by the office since it opened in 2013 was tabled in the Alberta Legislature. Under the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act, the Public Interest Commissioner has the authority to investigate disclosures of wrongdoing and complaints of reprisals from public sector employees. The…
The Alberta Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner’s offices will be taking time this September 30, 2021, to reflect on the tragic history of residential schools and all those affected. Marianne Ryan, the Alberta Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner will be closing her offices on September 30th in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Her staff will be encouraged to commemorate the day and reflect on how the offices may continually…
The Alberta Public Interest Commissioner releases her report into an investigation of wrongdoing involving the former President and CEO of Keyano College. The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act gives public sector employees within provincial public institutions the ability to report wrongdoing confidentially, and to be protected from reprisal for doing so. Using the Act,…
On March 24, 2021, organizations in various Canadian provinces working to achieve greater integrity in public services are proud to announce the creation of Whistleblower Awareness Day in order to raise public awareness of the role of whistleblowers in our society, as well as the awareness of the staff of government departments and agencies. The…
