Québec’s public services are adopting new measures to protect whistleblowers from reprisals and encourage reporting of wrongdoing, following the enactment of public integrity legislation on November 30, 2024.
The new law establishes a public integrity reporting centre under the Protecteur du citoyen, which will handle confidential disclosures of serious misconduct, including misuse of public funds, abuse of authority, and gross mismanagement.
“The creation of this reporting centre provides a secure and user-friendly mechanism for government employees and the public to report wrongdoing,” said Ombudsperson Marc-André Dowd.
Key changes include the introduction of the role of person in charge of ethics and integrity (RGEI) in all public bodies. RGEIs will replace officers previously responsible for handling disclosures. Their role will focus on ethics support and directing potential whistleblowers to the Protecteur du citoyen. All disclosures and complaints related to reprisals must be forwarded to the ombudsperson’s office.
The Protecteur du citoyen has also been granted expanded authority to address reprisal complaints. The office now offers mediation services and, if necessary, legal representation for whistleblowers pursuing recourse in court. Retaliation against individuals making disclosures is explicitly prohibited under the legislation.
In addition to handling disclosures and reprisal complaints, the Protecteur du citoyen will work proactively with public agencies to address emerging risks and prevent wrongdoing. “These legislative changes allow us to provide upstream support to public agencies, fostering a culture of integrity in public services,” said Dowd.
The new measures are aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability within Québec’s public services while protecting the identities of those who report wrongdoing. The Protecteur du citoyen emphasized that all disclosures and complaints will be handled confidentially, and whistleblowers’ identities will not be disclosed to the organizations under investigation.
The legislative changes reflect broader efforts to encourage ethical practices and enhance public trust in government operations, according to the ombudsperson’s office.
