Introduction of Bill M233, Whistleblower Protection Act - BC

Introduction and First Reading of Bills

WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ACT, 2007

S. Simpson presented a bill entitled Whistleblower Protection Act, 2007.

S. Simpson: I move a bill entitled the Whistleblower Protection Act, 2007, and ask that it be introduced and read for a first time now.

Motion approved.

S. Simpson: The Whistleblower Protection Act, 2007, will facilitate the disclosure and investigation of significant and serious matters in or relating to the public service that are potentially unlawful, dangerous or injurious to the public or that demonstrate a gross mismanagement of public funds or assets or an impact on the environment. The bill will protect those persons who disclose that information from retribution.

The bill calls for a structure to be created within each ministry to facilitate those disclosures and requires an annual public reporting of all issues raised under the legislation. It empowers the Ombudsman to both provide oversight to this legislation and be a source for disclosures of complaints under the act as well. Further, the bill lays out a process to protect against malicious complaints that are not founded.

The growing secrecy of this government and its methodical and unforgiving approach to shutting down transparency have compelled the introduction of this bill. Far too often we hear in the areas of the environment, children, seniors and health care, among others, about government decisions, actions or conduct that are not in the public interest.

There are situations where government employees or employees of organizations that are contracted with government would come forward to disclose those concerns and bring them to light, but they feel intimidated or concerned about the security of their jobs, so they stay silent.

If we truly want open government, we need to remove that risk and encourage dedicated civil servants and service providers to come forward when they feel compelled to shine a light on government irregularities or unacceptable conduct. The Whistleblower Protection Act, 2007, is intended to provide government workers and service providers that opportunity and the necessary protections to be able to come forward with confidence that they will not face retribution from the government.

I move this bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill M233, Whistleblower Protection Act, 2007, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.