Public-sector workers need legislation to protect them from reprisals: Public Service Alliance of Canada
The vast majority of Canadians want the federal government to enact legislation to protect whistleblowers in the public service, according to a new survey.
The survey, commissioned by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and conducted by the Environics Research Group, found that 89 per cent of Canadians want legislation that would protect public-sector workers who expose corruption and wrongdoing in the government from reprisals.
“Canadians have spoken loudly and clearly,” said Nycole Turmel, PSAC national president. “They are demanding that the Liberals fulfill an old election promise and pass a law that will protect workers when they denounce government wrongdoings.”
Senator Noël Kinsella was with Turmel at the press conference announcing the results of the survey. Kinsella is presenting an amendment to Bill C-25, the Public Service Modernization Act, currently being debated in the Senate.
“We support Senator Kinsella’s amendment to Bill C-25,” said Turmel. “A Senate amendment will not give our members all the protection they need in case of whistle-blowers, but it is a step in the right direction.”
The survey of 2,001 Canadians aged 18 and older was conducted by phone between Sept. 18 and Oct. 10. Results are considered accurate within plus or minus 2.2 per cent 19 times out of 20.
The survey, commissioned by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and conducted by the Environics Research Group, found that 89 per cent of Canadians want legislation that would protect public-sector workers who expose corruption and wrongdoing in the government from reprisals.
“Canadians have spoken loudly and clearly,” said Nycole Turmel, PSAC national president. “They are demanding that the Liberals fulfill an old election promise and pass a law that will protect workers when they denounce government wrongdoings.”
Senator Noël Kinsella was with Turmel at the press conference announcing the results of the survey. Kinsella is presenting an amendment to Bill C-25, the Public Service Modernization Act, currently being debated in the Senate.
“We support Senator Kinsella’s amendment to Bill C-25,” said Turmel. “A Senate amendment will not give our members all the protection they need in case of whistle-blowers, but it is a step in the right direction.”
The survey of 2,001 Canadians aged 18 and older was conducted by phone between Sept. 18 and Oct. 10. Results are considered accurate within plus or minus 2.2 per cent 19 times out of 20.
