2008-09 Disclosure of Wrongdoing Report Released

The province's fifth Disclosure of Wrongdoing Report was tabled in the legislature today, Nov. 2, by Public Service Commission Minister Frank Corbett.

The report indicates that three disclosures of potential wrongdoing were received by deputy heads during the period covered by the report, April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. Two were investigated with no finding of wrongdoing and the third is still in the process of resolution.

The Civil Service Disclosure of Wrongdoing Regulations and Policy has been in place since 2004 and provides a process for civil servants to disclose potential wrongdoing in the workplace.

"A disclosure framework is important to ensure an ethical public service," said Mr. Corbett. "The disclosure process must provide employees with an environment where they can feel safe to come forward with potential wrongdoing. The Public Service Commission will begin working on legislation to improve this process for everyone in the civil service."

Complaints of potential wrongdoing can be made within a government department or with the Office of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman received 15 disclosures of potential wrongdoing during 2008-09, although none resulted in an investigation by the Ombudsman's Office under the Civil Service Disclosure of Wrongdoing Regulations.

Two disclosures were referred back to the deputy heads and the rest were either discontinued, not pursued or directed to other avenues for resolution. One investigation was concluded by the Ombudsman's Office from 2007-08 with no finding of wrongdoing.

The Public Service Commission, departments and the Office of the Ombudsman have continued their efforts to raise awareness about the wrongdoing regulations and policy among employees.

A copy of the report can be viewed on the Public Service Commission's website at www.gov.ns.ca/psc/disclosure