Results

Our stakeholders, including those individuals who come to us to blow the whistle on wrongdoing in the public sector or to speak up about experiencing reprisal, want to know that our work is producing results and that allegations of misconduct are treated quickly, efficiently and appropriately.

 Our results to date underscore the breadth and range of our mandate, and speak to the importance and sensitivity of the responsibilities given to us by Parliament to deal with both disclosures of wrongdoing and complaints of reprisal. These results include tabling of case reports in Parliament and referrals to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal.

Concrete Results 

• The number of investigations launched has grown significantly since 2007. In 2013-14, the Office investigated 23 cases (wrongdoing and reprisal). Understandably, not all investigations result in founded cases of wrongdoing or reprisal complaints being referred to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal. All allegations of misconduct are however taken extremely seriously by PSIC staff and the Commissioner, and dealt with as expeditiously and fairly as possible.
• As of December 2014, the Office tabled 11 cases of founded wrongdoing before Parliament.
• The Office referred seven cases of reprisals to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal since 2011-12.
• In 2012-13 and in December 2014, the Office also had two successful conciliations to bring about the settlement of cases, as agreed to by both parties.
• The Office has continuously engaged its stakeholders through various initiatives, including expansive outreach activities, improved communications and marketing tools geared to public servants, and the establishment of an Advisory Committee with regular meetings to discuss common concerns.

Future Plans

The Office has also implemented service standards as of April 1, 2013 to better hold itself to account to Parliamentarians, public servants and the general public. The following standards will be applied, barring exceptional circumstances:

• General inquiries will be responded to within one working day;
• A decision to investigate a disclosure of wrongdoing will be made within 90 days; and
• Investigations will be completed within one year of being launched.