A closer look at Sask. whistleblower protection

REGINA – Just how safe are whistleblowers in Saskatchewan?

The question comes after a Saskatoon health care aide was suspended with pay – discipline he believes is a result of going public with concerns about a seniors home.

The Saskatchewan Party promised better protection for coming forward in its 2007 election campaign. In its platform was a commitment to strengthen “protection for public servants and whistle-blowers in the workplace by establishing a Public Integrity Commissioner.”

Since then, the government has created a similar role – the Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner, which falls within the office of the provincial Ombudsman.

“I don’t know if they’ve followed it up as strenuously as they thought was necessary.”

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One pundit believes the promise wasn’t entirely fulfilled.

“The promise itself was long forgotten,” said Regina Leader-Post political columnist Murray Mandryk.”It was one of many things oppositions say they’ll do when in opposition and they realize, ‘Gee, maybe we don’t want to do that when we’re in government.”

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“I don’t know if they’ve followed it up as strenuously (in government) as they thought was necessary.”

Political scientist Ken Rasmussen says the government’s 2011 whistleblower protection law is adequate, “but we don’t do enough on the education front to make sure people know about it.”

READ MORE: Health care whistleblowers scared to speak out, NDP say

He also suggested more public education to ensure people know about the law.

The Public Interest Disclosure Act only protects public sector employees who report issues to the government, however; not someone who speaks to the media or the Opposition first.

In addition, health care workers are only protected by their collective bargaining agreement – not the Act.

“Can we strengthen it? That’s something we’ll look at,” said Don McMorris, minister responsible for the Public Service Commission. “But I would say to any health care worker who has concerns, please bring them forward.”

McMorris says, in his previous role as health minister, there were no repercussions for health care workers.

“We want to correct the system where we feel there are flaws,” he said.

Saskatchewan’s whistleblower protection is similar to legislation in place in Manitoba and Ontario.