Close X
Thursday, November 28, 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

391 COVID19 cases for Thursday

391 COVID19 cases for Thursday
There are 511 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 79 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, 13 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,896.

391 COVID19 cases for Thursday

Businesses to charge a minimum fee on single-use cups: City of Vancouver

Businesses to charge a minimum fee on single-use cups: City of Vancouver
The charge was imposed January 1st — in part to reduce some of the estimated 80-million coffee and beverage cups thrown away in Vancouver every year — but unintentionally added costs to meal voucher recipients or those using gift cards or reward programs.

Businesses to charge a minimum fee on single-use cups: City of Vancouver

Investigation continues into house explosion

Investigation continues into house explosion
Constable Gary O'Brien says police will be checking to see if foul play was involved. He says crews have managed to remove debris from the site of the flattened home and check the basement and other areas.    

Investigation continues into house explosion

Illegal drug dispensary operates as a tattoo studio shut down after allegedly selling to youth

Illegal drug dispensary operates as a tattoo studio shut down after allegedly selling to youth
Officers seized cannabis products, magic mushrooms (psilocybin), and suspected MDMA. The dispensary has now been shut down. While cannabis is legal to purchase and consume in Canada, there are strict regulations in place, including where products can be purchased. 

Illegal drug dispensary operates as a tattoo studio shut down after allegedly selling to youth

Serious Collision in South Surrey leads to road closures

Serious Collision in South Surrey leads to road closures
Due to the serious nature of the collision 184 Street is closed in both directions between 40 Avenue and 32 Avenue while police investigate the cause of the collision. The investigation is in the early stages and it is unknown how long road closures will remain in effect.

Serious Collision in South Surrey leads to road closures

Fed's Powell: Russia's war on Ukraine will worsen inflation

Fed's Powell: Russia's war on Ukraine will worsen inflation
Consumer prices are already rising at their fastest pace in four decades, having jumped 7.5% in January compared with 12 months earlier. Gas prices, a key driver of that increase, have soared 40% over the past year. 

Fed's Powell: Russia's war on Ukraine will worsen inflation