Due to the ongoing implementation of changes to Alberta’s healthcare sector, the Public Interest Commissioner today clarified the impact of these changes on the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act (The Act), assuring healthcare employees that they have a safe avenue for reporting workplace wrongdoing or reprisal.
“Change can sometimes create uncertainty, and I want to ensure that all healthcare employees know that they can safely report wrongdoing or reprisal.”
– Kevin Brezinski, Public Interest Commissioner
The restructure replaced Alberta Health Services (AHS) with four provincial health agencies, responsible for: acute care (now the purview of AHS), primary care, continuing care, and mental health and addictions. Provincial health corporations were also established to provide, coordinate, or manage health services as well as oversee the administration and operation of the healthcare system.
The Act protects all healthcare employees, including those working for the province’s newly restructured agencies, provincial and subsidiary corporations, and other providers that administer healthcare to Albertans.
Organizations whose employees are protected by
Alberta’s Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act
Provincial Health Agencies |
Provincial Health Corporations |
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Subsidiary Health Corporations |
Other Healthcare Providers |
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Employees can confidently report complaints of serious and significant wrongdoing internally to their designated officer or to the Public Interest Commissioner. The Commissioner’s office conducts independent, impartial, and procedurally fair investigations into these complaints. Click here to learn more about reporting wrongdoing.
Employees who submit complaints are protected from reprisals when they seek advice, report wrongdoing, or help with investigations by their designated officer or the Public Interest Commissioner. A reprisal is any action that adversely affects the employment or working conditions of these employees. A reprisal is an offence, and the Act provides an avenue for employees who have suffered a reprisal to seek remedy through the Alberta Labour relations Board.
Updated regulations reflecting these changes can be found here: Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Regulation.
For more information or advice:
Website: www.yourvoiceprotected.ca Phone: 1-855-641-8659 Email: info@pic.alberta.ca
To determine where and how to file a complaint, visit our Complaint Checker.