Any day ethical resisters (aka whistleblowers) are offered amnesty for doing the right thing is a great day. Too often moral, concerned employees who speak up about possible malfeasance or other potential misdeeds, or even criminal acts are targeted, bullied and harassed by employers, sometimes right out of the workplace. It’s time for the grownups to admit that this happens a lot more than any of us want to
admit. It just gives me hives thinking about how we all talk about bullying at school and amongst young people, yet adults can be even more brutal and sometimes downright psychologically abusive to each other at work.
Or, just as with children, there are all the adult bystanders who know bullying is happening, but turn a blind eye, just happy it’s not them that is being targeted. Or there are those who actually collude with the employer against co-workers. Those ones are an especially nasty bunch, because they are usually doing this to benefit themselves and their career. And as many of us will know, there are some organizations where these kind of tactics are successful and people receive benefits and promotions.
Well drafted Whistleblower legislation should also clearly outline the penalties to those who might engage in bullying and harassment of workers who are suspected, or known to have brought information forward. There should be thorough investigations of allegations internally and by any other organizations that need to be involved. It isn't enough for the City to say "may report the matter to appropriate police agency" (Section 6.3 - Criminal Activity and Other Illegal Conduct). Although, there are interesting implications to that, as Vancouver City Police fall under the jurisdiction of the municipal government. It would be preferable for an outside police agency, complete any criminal investigation. I also agree there should be some clear language about those who would use these policies for vexacious, or malicious reasons against supervisors, managers, or other employees, including elected officials. But there should also be very clear language and penalties laid out for retaliation against employees who report in good faith (which will be the majority). As Faoro mentions, it's a starting point, the details will be hammered out for years now. I like how the report to Vancouver City council outlines best practices in whistleblowing policies in the corporate environment:
1. reporting of serious misconduct
2. investigation of reports of serious misconduct
3. whistleblower protection for employees reporting serious misconduct
It's interesting that within the business community, some businesses are actually taking a strong leadership role in embracing the idea of introducing whistleblowing as part of their organizational culture. Some companies are hiring outside contractors to set up whistleblower lines. To me that is an example of real leadership & a commitment to corporate and social responsibility.
Now what would be nice is if the BC Liberals, in their zeal to push through a bunch of bills before the end of this sitting, would pass Bill M233- Whistleblowers Protection Act for workers in the BC public service.
I’m quite sure it won’t make it there is WAY too much at stake there. Open amnesty for BC government workers, why there would be LOTS of skeletons falling out of closets there. It doesn’t really matter though, the rocks are being lifted up anyways and people are wising up to what this government is all about.
***********************************
Vancouver whistleblowers get some protection
Last Updated: Friday, May 16, 2008 | 10:16 AM ET
CBC News
The City of Vancouver has responded to the demands of civic workers with a policy designed to let them report perceived misconduct without fear of retaliation.
The new whistleblower policy settles an issue that figured prominently in last summer's strike by civic workers.
Paul Faoro, president of Local 15 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, said the union had been calling for such a policy for years. And while the new process isn't perfect, Faoro said Thursday, it's a start.
"It's a step in the right direction. It's certainly a work in progress, but I think it gives our members some protection if, in fact, they see a wrongdoing. They can feel safe that they can report it without being retaliated [against] by their manager."
City councillor Raymond Louie said the process is still not without risk.
If an allegation is "not proven out or they [complainants] can't prove it fully, then they themselves are in trouble," Louie said. "That's something we should think carefully about."
Louie said that while there is a need to prevent frivolous claims, workers who believe something wrong is going on should not fear coming forward simply because they don't have all of the information.
Faoro said he will ask for changes to the policy if a complainant is harassed.
Council will review the policy in a year.
************************************
Administrative Report: Whistleblowing Policy.
Standing Committee on Planning & Environment
Vancouver City Council, May 15th, 2008
************************************
Hansard. Official report of the Debates of the Legislative Assembly.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2007. Afternoon Sitting, Volume 25, Number 7.
Introduction and
First Reading of Bills
WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION ACT, 2007 - Bill M233
S. Simpson presented a bill entitled Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2007.
S. Simpson: I move a bill entitled the Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2007, and ask that it be introduced and read for a first time now.
Motion approved.
[1335]
S. Simpson: The Whistleblowers 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.
**
News Release from Shane Simpson, who brought this bill forward:
“Far too often we hear about government decisions and conduct that is not in the public interest,” said Simpson, MLA for Vancouver-Hastings. “But British Columbia does not have any legislation on the books to protect public service workers, who may have information about government wrongdoing.
“Our dedicated and professional public service should be empowered to come forward with this critical information without fear of retribution from their employer,” said Simpson.
The Whistle Blower Protection Act provides both government workers and service providers the protection they need to report irregularities in government operations without fear of discipline or job loss.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Democracy for Everyone in BC
This post is a comment written (with some tweaks) for the following article on the Tyee.
Hot Button Bill: Libs Rush to Change Election Laws
Diverse foes say Bill 42 would crimp free speech, hurt poor voters.
By Andrew MacLeod and Monte Paulsen. Monday, May 12, 2008.
********
Most people on here would not understand what a serious and structural attack on democracy this is for those who live (and die) in the lower socio-economic classes.
The BC government, as a matter of policy and practice, denies income assistance clients the human right to obtain identification. If welfare has copies on file, they will not fund replacement ID. That in itself is a violation of people's human rights. With the pittance people receive on income assistance, or disability, there are thousands and thousands of citizens who are marginalized by the BC Liberals already. To use this structurally embedded circumstance and to now push through this legislation, which will disenfranchise (even more) of these citizens is a Charter of Rights violation, as well as quite likely a violation of Canada's commitment to several United Nations Charters.
This exclusion and barrier to full participation in society will now disproportionally disadvantage and disenfranchise individuals with disabilities. There is a new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I suggest all of these clever lawyers around consider working to put together a case to present at the new UN Committee about democracy, inclusion and justice for marginalized citizens BC Liberal-style. I'm sure the UN would be quite interested to hear about Mr. Campbell's (and his backroom masters')plans and they might even have some feedback for him and his ilk.
Mr. Oppal, if you allow this legislation to be passed, as a learned jurist and now as the Attorney General, you have ceased to have any relevancy as a man of justice, democracy and as a representative of the public good in BC. You will also go down in history as the man who excluded generations of BC citizens from their right to participate in democracy and be included in the province of BC. How is that for a legacy? You should resign if they push it through in spite of your disagreement as the AG. And then, you should write a great "tell-all,"because now, you know where A LOT of the bodies are buried and that will be helpful when the next election rolls around in May 2009.
If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.
- Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC), Politics.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968), Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963.
Ensure your MLA knows that if they vote for this Bill, they are history next election, no matter what their political "stripe."
Hot Button Bill: Libs Rush to Change Election Laws
Diverse foes say Bill 42 would crimp free speech, hurt poor voters.
By Andrew MacLeod and Monte Paulsen. Monday, May 12, 2008.
********
Most people on here would not understand what a serious and structural attack on democracy this is for those who live (and die) in the lower socio-economic classes.
The BC government, as a matter of policy and practice, denies income assistance clients the human right to obtain identification. If welfare has copies on file, they will not fund replacement ID. That in itself is a violation of people's human rights. With the pittance people receive on income assistance, or disability, there are thousands and thousands of citizens who are marginalized by the BC Liberals already. To use this structurally embedded circumstance and to now push through this legislation, which will disenfranchise (even more) of these citizens is a Charter of Rights violation, as well as quite likely a violation of Canada's commitment to several United Nations Charters.
This exclusion and barrier to full participation in society will now disproportionally disadvantage and disenfranchise individuals with disabilities. There is a new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I suggest all of these clever lawyers around consider working to put together a case to present at the new UN Committee about democracy, inclusion and justice for marginalized citizens BC Liberal-style. I'm sure the UN would be quite interested to hear about Mr. Campbell's (and his backroom masters')plans and they might even have some feedback for him and his ilk.
Mr. Oppal, if you allow this legislation to be passed, as a learned jurist and now as the Attorney General, you have ceased to have any relevancy as a man of justice, democracy and as a representative of the public good in BC. You will also go down in history as the man who excluded generations of BC citizens from their right to participate in democracy and be included in the province of BC. How is that for a legacy? You should resign if they push it through in spite of your disagreement as the AG. And then, you should write a great "tell-all,"because now, you know where A LOT of the bodies are buried and that will be helpful when the next election rolls around in May 2009.
If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.
- Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC), Politics.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968), Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963.
Ensure your MLA knows that if they vote for this Bill, they are history next election, no matter what their political "stripe."
Saturday, May 3, 2008
America Moves Ever Closer to Martial Law & a Totalitarian State
If these things don’t scare the crap out of you… you have ice in your veins:
Check this video clip out from You Tube. It is an interview from Amy Goodman from Democracy Now, interviewing Matt Rothschild, the editor of The Progressive, who broke the story of InfraGard, described on it’s own website as “a collaboration for infrastructure protection.”
VIDEO: FBI Authorizing US Corporations (InfraGard) Shoot 2 Kill under Looming Martial Law
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDX0CuuRYDI#>Less%20info">
Who is InfraGard:
InfraGard is a P3 partnership between the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and US Corporations, with 36 chapters in USA since 1996. This organization involves more than 23,000 business executives in USA, which means it is also world wide, because US corporations have branches all over the world. Members are NOT allowed to talk to the news media.
*******
Matthew Rothschild in The Progressive
The FBI Deputizes Business
By Matthew Rothschild, March 2008 Issue
http://www.progressive.org/mag_rothschild0308
One business owner in the United States tells me that InfraGard members are being advised on how to prepare for a martial law situation and what their role might be. He showed me his InfraGard card, with his name and e-mail address on the front, along with the InfraGard logo and its slogan, “Partnership for Protection.” On the back of the card were the emergency numbers that Schneck mentioned. This business owner says he attended a small InfraGard meeting where agents of the FBI and Homeland Security discussed in astonishing detail what InfraGard members may be called upon to do.“The meeting started off innocuously enough, with the speakers talking about corporate espionage,” he says. “From there, it just progressed. All of a sudden we were knee deep in what was expected of us when martial law is declared. We were expected to share all our resources, but in return we’d be given specific benefits.” These included, he says, the ability to travel in restricted areas and to get people out...
But that’s not all...
“Then they said when not if martial law is declared, it was our responsibility to protect our portion of the infrastructure, and if we had to use deadly force to protect it, we couldn’t be prosecuted,” he says...
I was able to confirm that the meeting took place where he said it had, and that the FBI and Homeland Security did make presentations there. One InfraGard member who attended that meeting denies that the subject of lethal force came up. But the whistleblower is 100 percent certain of it. “I have nothing to gain by telling you this, and everything to lose,” he adds. “I’m so nervous about this, and I’m not someone who gets nervous...
The way InfraGard has been set up reads like the development of the Mafia including its “made men” and code of Omerta (silence) especially when it comes to speaking to the media. Rothschild is to be complimented for committing great public journalism in writing this article. I’m sure when martial law is declared in this country, he’s on the A list...
Of course, several such scenarios for a possible declaration of martial law have been discussed here and elsewhere. Anything from another ‘terrorist’ attack to gasoline shortages or financial meltdown could trigger a few strokes of the President’s pen which is all that is needed to place the entire nation under martial law, thanks to several executive orders going back to JFK’s time...
In such a scenario, the government doesn’t have enough soldiers or cops to secure all this vast nation’s infrastructure. You might be thinking of obvious choices like power plants but the story tells us there’s far more included under the rubric of infrastructure...
In any case, this secret Mafia (or Corporate Gestapo, take your pick or make up your own term) of more than 23,000 business executives comes in pretty handy, especially when you let them into the super-secret information channels, make them feel like James Bond and give them ‘license to kill’ authority...
Mussolini may not have actually said ‘fascism should more properly be called corporatism,’ but in practice, the terminology is correct: what we are seeing is the fusion of corporate and government power in an authoritarian state where the average person is automatically suspect...
From their own website:
InfraGard is an association of businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States. InfraGard Chapters are geographically linked with FBI Field Office territories… “350 of our nation’s Fortune 500 have a representative in InfraGard.”
*********
National “DNA warehouse” bill passes
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Inc.
Passing the House of Representatives on a voice vote, S. 1858 has been sent to President Bush for signature. The Newborn Genetic Screening bill was passed by the Senate last December. The bill violates the U.S. Constitution and the Nuremberg Code, writes Twila Brase, president of the Citizen’s Council on Health Care (CCHC). “The DNA taken at birth from every citizen is essentially owned by the government, and every citizen becomes a potential subject of government-sponsored genetic research,” she states. “It does not require consent and there are no requirements to inform parents about the warehousing of their child’s DNA for the purpose of genetic research.
***************
Military Preparing for Martial Law
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Jux68F_AQ
Three States Subjected To "Martial Law Sweeps" Local, state police and sheriff's office join feds for "terror" sweeps that result in hundreds of citations for traffic violations.
Steve Watson (Friday, April 18, 2008). Infowars.net
Federal law enforcement agencies co-opted sheriffs offices as well state and local police forces in three states last weekend for a vast round up operation that one sheriff's deputy has described as "martial law training".
http://infowars.net/articles/april2008/180408impact.htm
********
Not in Canada you Say:
Homeland Security Canada-style:
From Wikipedia:
In 2003 Canada created a Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness led by Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan. Now of course led by the mental giant, Stockwell (Doris) Day. I’m not sure about all of you, but I sure don’t feel a lot safer with Mr. Day at the helm of our national security.
Check this video clip out from You Tube. It is an interview from Amy Goodman from Democracy Now, interviewing Matt Rothschild, the editor of The Progressive, who broke the story of InfraGard, described on it’s own website as “a collaboration for infrastructure protection.”
VIDEO: FBI Authorizing US Corporations (InfraGard) Shoot 2 Kill under Looming Martial Law
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDX0CuuRYDI#>Less%20info">
Who is InfraGard:
InfraGard is a P3 partnership between the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and US Corporations, with 36 chapters in USA since 1996. This organization involves more than 23,000 business executives in USA, which means it is also world wide, because US corporations have branches all over the world. Members are NOT allowed to talk to the news media.
*******
Matthew Rothschild in The Progressive
The FBI Deputizes Business
By Matthew Rothschild, March 2008 Issue
http://www.progressive.org/mag_rothschild0308
One business owner in the United States tells me that InfraGard members are being advised on how to prepare for a martial law situation and what their role might be. He showed me his InfraGard card, with his name and e-mail address on the front, along with the InfraGard logo and its slogan, “Partnership for Protection.” On the back of the card were the emergency numbers that Schneck mentioned. This business owner says he attended a small InfraGard meeting where agents of the FBI and Homeland Security discussed in astonishing detail what InfraGard members may be called upon to do.“The meeting started off innocuously enough, with the speakers talking about corporate espionage,” he says. “From there, it just progressed. All of a sudden we were knee deep in what was expected of us when martial law is declared. We were expected to share all our resources, but in return we’d be given specific benefits.” These included, he says, the ability to travel in restricted areas and to get people out...
But that’s not all...
“Then they said when not if martial law is declared, it was our responsibility to protect our portion of the infrastructure, and if we had to use deadly force to protect it, we couldn’t be prosecuted,” he says...
I was able to confirm that the meeting took place where he said it had, and that the FBI and Homeland Security did make presentations there. One InfraGard member who attended that meeting denies that the subject of lethal force came up. But the whistleblower is 100 percent certain of it. “I have nothing to gain by telling you this, and everything to lose,” he adds. “I’m so nervous about this, and I’m not someone who gets nervous...
The way InfraGard has been set up reads like the development of the Mafia including its “made men” and code of Omerta (silence) especially when it comes to speaking to the media. Rothschild is to be complimented for committing great public journalism in writing this article. I’m sure when martial law is declared in this country, he’s on the A list...
Of course, several such scenarios for a possible declaration of martial law have been discussed here and elsewhere. Anything from another ‘terrorist’ attack to gasoline shortages or financial meltdown could trigger a few strokes of the President’s pen which is all that is needed to place the entire nation under martial law, thanks to several executive orders going back to JFK’s time...
In such a scenario, the government doesn’t have enough soldiers or cops to secure all this vast nation’s infrastructure. You might be thinking of obvious choices like power plants but the story tells us there’s far more included under the rubric of infrastructure...
In any case, this secret Mafia (or Corporate Gestapo, take your pick or make up your own term) of more than 23,000 business executives comes in pretty handy, especially when you let them into the super-secret information channels, make them feel like James Bond and give them ‘license to kill’ authority...
Mussolini may not have actually said ‘fascism should more properly be called corporatism,’ but in practice, the terminology is correct: what we are seeing is the fusion of corporate and government power in an authoritarian state where the average person is automatically suspect...
From their own website:
InfraGard is an association of businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States. InfraGard Chapters are geographically linked with FBI Field Office territories… “350 of our nation’s Fortune 500 have a representative in InfraGard.”
*********
National “DNA warehouse” bill passes
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Inc.
Passing the House of Representatives on a voice vote, S. 1858 has been sent to President Bush for signature. The Newborn Genetic Screening bill was passed by the Senate last December. The bill violates the U.S. Constitution and the Nuremberg Code, writes Twila Brase, president of the Citizen’s Council on Health Care (CCHC). “The DNA taken at birth from every citizen is essentially owned by the government, and every citizen becomes a potential subject of government-sponsored genetic research,” she states. “It does not require consent and there are no requirements to inform parents about the warehousing of their child’s DNA for the purpose of genetic research.
***************
Military Preparing for Martial Law
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Jux68F_AQ
Three States Subjected To "Martial Law Sweeps" Local, state police and sheriff's office join feds for "terror" sweeps that result in hundreds of citations for traffic violations.
Steve Watson (Friday, April 18, 2008). Infowars.net
Federal law enforcement agencies co-opted sheriffs offices as well state and local police forces in three states last weekend for a vast round up operation that one sheriff's deputy has described as "martial law training".
http://infowars.net/articles/april2008/180408impact.htm
********
Not in Canada you Say:
Homeland Security Canada-style:
From Wikipedia:
In 2003 Canada created a Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness led by Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan. Now of course led by the mental giant, Stockwell (Doris) Day. I’m not sure about all of you, but I sure don’t feel a lot safer with Mr. Day at the helm of our national security.
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