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Public Service Disclosure Protection Act

 

If you are aware of a serious wrongdoing within the workplace, you should and are expected to come forward.  While this is normally done through existing reporting relationships and support/recourse mechanisms, including communications with supervisors, the Public Service Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA) acknowledges there may be situations where existing mechanisms are not appropriate.

It is important to note that all NPF employees are covered under Federal jurisdiction, and therefore come under the protection of the PSDPA. The PSDPA is a secure and confidential process for disclosing serious wrongdoings in the workplace, as well as protection from acts of reprisal, such as losing your job or any other adverse measure that affects your employment.

The PSDPA establishes a legislative mechanism for the disclosure of wrongdoing in the federal public sector, including Crown corporations and other public agencies, and protects public servants in those departments and organizations who in good faith disclose wrongdoing.

The Act applies in respect of the following wrongdoings in or relating to the public sector:

  1. a contravention of any Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province, or of any regulations made under any such Act, other than a contravention of section 19 of this Act;
  2. a misuse of public funds or a public asset;
  3. a gross mismanagement in the public sector;
  4. an act or omission that creates a substantial and specific danger to the life, health or safety of persons, or to the environment, other than a danger that is inherent in the performance of the duties or functions of a public servant;
  5. a serious breach of a code of conduct established under section 5 or 6; and
  6. knowingly directing or counseling a person to commit a wrongdoing set out in any of paragraphs (a) to (e).

 

All public servants, including NPF employees, are protected by the PSDPA.

To disclose a wrongdoing; or to seek advice regarding the PSDPA in the public and non-public accountability framework, contact the DND Internal Disclosure Office at:

  • Disclosure Hotline - 1 866 236 4445
  • Internal Disclosure Office - (613) 992-0356
  • E-mail - +IDO@CRS@Ottawa-Hull