BC’s new whistleblowing law officially entered into force on Sunday, widening the mandate of the Ombudsperson to conduct investigations.
The Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) allows current and former provincial government employees to report concerns to the office of the Ombudsperson if they do not wish to report to their employer.
“This legislation protects whistleblowers if they speak up and requires that any investigation into allegations of serious wrongdoing will be administratively fair,” said David Eby, Attorney General.
Employees will also have the ability to disclose concerns in the workplace anonymously.
The Ombudsperson will also have the sole mandate under PIDA to investigate allegations of reprisals against employees who bring forward concerns.
“Having a legal framework that allows public employees to speak up about wrongdoing helps ensure accountability, transparency and integrity in government,” said Ombudsperson Jay Chalke.
“We will of course continue to receive complaints from the public who feel they have been treated unfairly by a public sector organization as we always have, but now in addition any current or provincial government employee who either wants to report wrongdoing or reprisal in the workplace can turn to us.”
BC is the last province in Canada to adopt whistleblower protection law.
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