Whistleblower act expands to more public-sector organizations

Starting Friday, April 1, 2022, employees at B.C.’s tribunals and certain agencies, boards and commissions will be protected by the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) as part of a phased expansion that will bring more public-sector organizations under the act.

PIDA allows employees to confidentially share information about a serious wrongdoing that affects the public interest with designated officers within their organizations or to the Office of the Ombudsperson.

It also provides protection to employees who participate in PIDA investigations from reprisals, such as demotion, termination or other measures that adversely affect the employee’s work conditions. It also ensures employees under investigation are treated fairly.

The Province passed PIDA in 2018 in response to the Ombudsperson’s 2017 report, Misfire: The 2012 Ministry of Health Employment Terminations and Related Matters.

The act, which came into force on Dec. 1, 2019, currently applies to staff in government ministries and independent offices of the legislature. Bringing other public-sector organizations, such as agencies, boards and commissions, under PIDA will more closely align B.C. with other jurisdictions in Canada.

More agencies, boards and commissions will be brought under PIDA in December 2022, alongside Crown corporations. Recognizing the impacts of the pandemic on certain sectors, other organizations will follow in 2023 and 2024, including health authorities and the education sector.

Learn More:

For more information about the phased approach to rolling out the Public Interest Disclosure Act, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/24984

A backgrounder follows.