providing a written report to the Chief Officer (Deputy Minister) of the relevant department with recommendations to correct the wrongdoing.
conducting investigations into allegations, where warranted.protecting the confidentiality and anonymity of public servants who make a disclosure.receiving disclosures of wrongdoing and assessing whether or not to investigate.The Alberta Public Service’s Designated Officer is appointed by the Public Service Commissioner and is responsible for: The whistleblower legislation allows for the appointment of a Designated Officer to manage and investigate disclosures, including establishing an internal process to receive, manage, and investigate reports of wrongdoing. The role of the Designated Officer for the Alberta Public Service The Public Interest Commissioner has the right to access the necessary records and data needed to fully pursue their investigation. They provide advice in relation to whistleblower protection and investigate disclosures of wrongdoing and complaints of reprisals made by employees to whom the act applies. The Public Interest Commissioner is an independent officer of the Alberta Legislature. The role of Alberta’s Public Interest Commissioner * See the Whistleblower Protection Fact Sheet (PDF, 260 KB) to learn more about the Designated Officer, protections provided and procedures that must be followed. a broad range of remedies for employees who have experienced reprisal.a strict set of penalties for those who commit a reprisal (punishment for reporting wrongdoing), obstruct an investigation, destroy records, or make false or misleading statements as part of an investigation, and.a transparent process in place to support investigations.a clear process and set of timelines to guide employees when they disclose wrongdoing.confidentiality for those who seek advice about or make a disclosure*,.The legislation provides a process that protects Alberta public servants by ensuring: decline to participate in suspected wrongdoing.co-operate in an investigation into wrongdoing.
seek advice or information about disclosing a wrongdoing from:.disclose wrongdoing that is conducted against the public’s interest.The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act is in place to protect public sector employees and political staff from punishment if they: to identify a reprisal (punishment for reporting wrongdoing).reports of wrongdoing are received and investigated.More information about (and for) these entities is available on the Public Interest Commissioner website. In addition to departments, it covers government offices (members of the Legislative Assembly, Office of the Premier and offices of a Minister), Offices of the Legislature, as well as public entities and prescribed service providers which are identified by regulation.
It is intended as a resource for the Alberta Public Service.Īlberta’s whistleblower legislation has been expanded. This page includes elements which came into force on March 1, 2018. The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act was amended in 2017. This culture is critical to ensuring public sector employees maintain the highest possible standards of honesty, openness, and accountability. The Government of Alberta supports a culture within the public sector that encourages employees and management to report significant and serious matters they believe may be unlawful, dangerous or harmful to the public interest.