2023 Alberta Public Interest Disclosure Conference Training Materials
For a second year, the Commissioner’s office hosted the Alberta Public Interest Disclosure Conference aimed at designated officers and those who assist designated offices in managing and investigating public interest disclosures. Training materials adapted from the conference are available for download.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
Use of Third-Party Whistleblower Hotlines for Public Interest Disclosures
Learn why the Commissioner’s office discourages the use of third-party whistleblower hotlines as a mechanism for employees to make public interest disclosures under the Act.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
The Risks of Conflating Whistleblower Procedures with Other Policies and Codes of Conduct
Combining procedures can sometimes do more harm than good. There are significant risks when conflating whistleblower procedures with other internal policies. This article explains why.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
Advice for managing complaints under the Public Interest Discosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act relating to the COVID-19 public health emergency
Designated officers may receive complaints related to a COVID-19 public health emergency. See here for the authorities most suitable for these types of complaints.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
A Brief Guide to Good Whistleblowing and Bad Faith
Unfortunately not all complaints are free of bad faith elements. Learn what constitutes a good whistleblower complaint and how to recognize and manage those that are frivolous or vexatious.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
Sharing a Common Goal
The Act allows for the reporting and investigation of wrongdoing to be conducted either internally by the designated officer, or by the Public Interest Commissioner. Organizations that embrace a positive philosophy around whistleblowers and effective whistleblower programs share a common goal.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
Complaint Analysis and Advice... a Big Part of What We Do
Our work begins well before an investigation starts. See here for a breakdown of our analysis process.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
Conversation With a Whistleblower
This interview with a whistleblower illustrates the feeling many in the public service may have when they consider blowing the whistle. Select details have been removed to protect the whistleblower’s identity.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination policy in the Alberta Public Service and the applicability of the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act
On September 15, 2021, the Government of Alberta issued directives to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We developed this guide for designated officers and employees with concerns about the applicability of the Act to government policy.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
Submission of Alberta’s Public Interest Commissioner to the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship
This document contains 22 recommendations submitted to the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship during its review of the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
Whistleblowers Have a Safe Avenue to Report Wrongdoing in Alberta
In December 2020, a letter penned by Public Interest Commissioner, Marianne Ryan first appeared in the Edmonton Journal and Calgary Herald.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
Informally Resolving Significant Matters in the Public Interest
There are many benefits to resolving complaints informally and when possible, potentially avoid a largescale investigation.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
Severance Agreements - The Commissioner Recommends Improvement
Serious pitfalls can arise when employers include language in a severance agreement that requires an employee to reveal if they have made a disclosure or that prohibits them from making a future complaint under the Act.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
Defining Mismanagement of Employees
If you are unsure if an issue related to bullying, harassment and intimidation is wrongdoing under the Act, this is the article for you.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »
An Insider's Story: A Whistleblower Shares His Experience With the Public Interest Commissioner
Whether you are a designated officer or whistleblower, we aim to make working with our office easy.VIEW PUBLICATION INFO »