What is a protected disclosure? - video with transcription

Hello,

A protected disclosure is a disclosure of wrongdoing that an employee working in the federal public sector, which includes Crown Corporations, or a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police made in good faith to their supervisor, to their organization’s designated Senior Officer, or directly to our Office.

A protected disclosure may also include allegations of wrongdoing made:

• in the course of a Parliamentary proceeding;
• in the course of a procedure established under any other Act of Parliament; or
• when lawfully required to do so.

A disclosure to the media or through social media is only protected in exceptional circumstances:

• if the public servant does not have enough time to make it to their supervisor, their Senior Officer or to our Office, and
• the public servant believes on reasonable grounds that there has been a serious breach of federal or provincial laws, or that there is an imminent risk of a substantial and specific danger to the life, health and safety of persons or the environment.

The Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act has provisions to protect those who make a protected disclosure against reprisal in the workplace.

Thanks for your interest in the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada.