CHARLOTTETOWN -- The government of Prince Edward Island has released a new whistleblower protection policy it says will strengthen the province's public service.
Premier Wade MacLauchlan says the policy supports employees and recognizes "the vital role they have in speaking truth to power."
The policy provides a procedure for reporting wrongdoing as well as protection from reprisal for public sector employees who make good faith attempts to report wrongdoing.
Wrongdoing includes violation provincial or federal law, the gross mismanagement of public funds or government assets, an act or omission that creates a substantial and specific danger to the life, health or safety of persons or the environment, or directing others to engage in those activities.
Under the policy employees may make a disclosure to a supervisor, deputy minister, or the Ethics and Integrity Commissioner on a confidential basis.
The Commissioner will be responsible for resolving the matter by either referring it for investigation or by conducting an investigation.
