By CHAT News Today

New whistleblower protection in effect March 1

Feb 22, 2018 | 1:19 PM

EDMONTON — New whistleblower protection legislation will go into effect in Alberta next week.

The province announced the Public Interest Disclosure Amendment Act, which was passed by the legislature last June, will go into effect on March 1. The act improves protections for whistleblowers in the public sector, and staff in MLAs’, ministers’ and the Premier’s office will have the same whistleblower protections as other employees in the public sector.

“It’s important that public-sector employees feel safe to report serious wrongdoings and are protected from reprisal,” said Christina Gray, Minister of Labour and Democratic Renewal, in a news release. “Our new whistleblower legislation is among the more comprehensive in Canada. Alberta public-sector employees will be able to come forward without fear.”

Among the changes to the act, more detailed public reporting from the Public Interest Commissioner is required, including descriptions of wrongdoings and recommendations made. The commissioner can also investigate a wider variety of wrongdoings, including bullying, harassment or intimidation, as well as some forms of mismanagement or abuse of human resources.

The act also clarifies that a whistleblower may approach their boss or the Public Interest Commissioner about a wrongdoing, and their protection from reprisal would start at that moment.

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The Labour Relations Board will enforce compliance and will decide what form of remedy, including restitution, should be provided to the whistleblower.

Full details about the act can be viewed here.