Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. expands employee whistleblower protections

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Apr, 2022 02:59 PM
  • B.C. expands employee whistleblower protections

VICTORIA - Whistleblower protections are being extended to more public-sector employees in British Columbia as part of an expansion of the Public Interest Disclosure Act.

The Ministry of Attorney General says in a statement the act applies to government ministry staff and independent offices of the legislature, but as of Friday it also includes employees at most provincial tribunals, agencies, boards and commissions.

The statement says the act, which became law in December 2019, allows employees to share information about wrongdoings that affect the public interest with designated officers or the Office of the Ombudsperson without reprisals.

The ministry says more agencies, boards and commissions will be covered by the protections later this year followed by health authorities and the education sector over the next two years.

The whistleblower protection law was introduced following a report by ombudsperson Jay Chalke into the 2012 firing of eight Health Ministry workers, one of whom later died by suicide.

A B.C. government employees union lawyer told the province's public inquiry into money laundering last year that better whistleblower protections for front-line casino workers may have prevented illegal cash from circulating at gaming venues.

MORE National ARTICLES

Lululemon founder starting new venture to find cure for type of muscular dystrophy

Lululemon founder starting new venture to find cure for type of muscular dystrophy
Chip Wilson was diagnosed with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy when he was 32, saying it has contributed to his muscle loss and he expects to not be able to walk without help in eight years. He says the funding will go toward finding a cure for the disorder by the end of 2027.

Lululemon founder starting new venture to find cure for type of muscular dystrophy

Trudeau, NATO stage rebuke of Russia in Latvia

Trudeau, NATO stage rebuke of Russia in Latvia
The prime minister promised Baltic leaders on a whirlwind trip to Latvia that Canada will stand with them to fight Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and its cyberattacks on their countries.

Trudeau, NATO stage rebuke of Russia in Latvia

Feds fine passengers on Sunwing party flight

Feds fine passengers on Sunwing party flight
A half-dozen passengers who were not fully vaccinated when they boarded have now received penalties that could reach a maximum of $5,000 each, Transport Canada said. Under COVID-19 rules, all passengers must be fully vaccinated to board a flight departing the country.

Feds fine passengers on Sunwing party flight

B.C. promises blanket internet coverage by 2027

B.C. promises blanket internet coverage by 2027
In a news release, the province says the plan means many First Nations communities will have high-speed internet access for the first time. B.C. is promising that every home and community will have the service by 2027, which was also promised in the budget announced last month. 

B.C. promises blanket internet coverage by 2027

B.C. adds conditions for Trans Mountain expansion

B.C. adds conditions for Trans Mountain expansion
The expansion is set to nearly triple the capacity of the existing 1,150-kilometre pipeline that carries 300,000 barrels per day of petroleum products from Alberta to B.C., which will significantly increase the number of tankers carrying oil for export.

B.C. adds conditions for Trans Mountain expansion

B.C. shifts vaccination order for health workers

B.C. shifts vaccination order for health workers
The new order differs from last month's announcement when provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said all regulated health professionals vaccinated with one dose before March 24 could continue to work only if they received a second dose within 35 days.

B.C. shifts vaccination order for health workers