Disclosure of wrongdoing

The Canada School of Public Service is committed to strengthening the integrity of the federal public service by fostering an environment in which employees disclose possible wrongdoing and are protected from reprisal for having made such a disclosure.

The Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (the Act) came into force in 2007 to encourage federal public sector employees and members of the public to come forward if they have reason to believe that serious wrongdoing has occurred in the workplace. The Act sets the definition of wrongdoing and protects employees who disclose wrongdoing from reprisal while also providing a fair and objective process for employees accused of wrongdoing.

Under the Act, wrongdoing is defined as a contravention of any law; the misuse of public funds or a public asset; gross mismanagement in the public sector; a serious breach of a code of conduct; an act or omission that creates a substantial and specific danger to the life, health or safety of persons, or to the environment; or knowingly directing or counselling a person to commit wrongdoing.

At the Canada School of Public Service, the Senior Officer for the Disclosure of Wrongdoing is authorized to receive and handle disclosures of wrongdoing, while the Deputy Minister is responsible for ensuring that any finding of wrongdoing at the School is promptly and appropriately made available to the public.

The Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer's website contains more information on the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.