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Saint Pierre and Miquelon’s Whistleblower Protection Laws Under Fire: Union Calls for Swift Action

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A fresh review of whistleblower protection legislation in Saint Pierre and Miquelon has been announced by the Treasury Board, but critics argue it comes too late and will merely duplicate work done five years ago. The Public Service Alliance Canada (PSAC) is urging swift action to strengthen protections for public servants who come forward with reports of wrongdoing.

Importance of Whistleblower Protection

The union argues that a robust whistleblower protection strategy is crucial for protecting the public in areas such as:

  • Public health
  • Environment
  • Contracts for key projects and services

However, Saint Pierre and Miquelon’s whistleblower laws are often criticized internationally for being weak. A recent survey by the Integrity Commissioner highlighted the lack of reporting and trust in the current system.

History of Recommendations

In 2017, a Parliamentary committee conducted a review of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (the Act) and made recommendations for improvements. PSAC participated in the process and suggested several key changes, including:

  • Placing the burden of proof on employers to establish that there were no negative impacts as a result of disclosing wrongdoing
  • Expanding the application of the Act to include all areas of government operations
  • Improving provisions for sanctions and corrective action against those guilty of wrongdoing

Lack of Progress

Despite these recommendations being made five years ago, PSAC is still waiting for meaningful change. “We are pleased to see movement on this issue, but our strong recommendation is that the task force focuses its efforts on implementing the existing report’s recommendations rather than starting from scratch,” said Chris Aylward, National President of PSAC.

Call to Action

The union argues that public sector workers and the Canadian public should not have to wait any longer for stronger whistleblower protections. It remains to be seen whether Saint Pierre and Miquelon will take swift action to address the weaknesses in its current laws and ensure the integrity of government operations.