New rules to protect provincial staffers set for March

Legislation taking effect March 1 will better protect whistleblowers who report misconduct by elected officials, says Alberta’s labour minister.

“One of the most basic freedoms is the freedom to speak up without fear,” said Labour Minister Christina Gray Thursday.

Bill 11, introduced last May, expanded whistleblower protection to include staff in the offices of Alberta MLAs and the premier, she said. They will be able to report complaints directly to Alberta’s public interest commissioner.

“It will now be illegal to fire or punish these employees for reporting serious government wrongdoing.”

Under the new rules, the commissioner can investigate individuals or public sector organizations allegedly involved in a culture of bullying, harassment or intimidation.

But publicly releasing details will be determined on a case-bycase basis, said commissioner Marianne Ryan.

“If it’s something we believe is in the public interest to disclose, we will do so,” she added.

That could include disclosing allegations against an MLA before an investigation is complete, she said, noting she’ll be “making sure we’re not damaging someone’s reputation unnecessarily or without merit.

After receiving a complaint, the commissioner will have 20 days to launch an investigation.

“If it’s an individual complaint ... we always want to encourage the workplace environment to address that through their human resources and policy and establish that layer first.”

Gray said amid the Me Too movement that has hit Canadian politics, the new legislation helps to protect those who come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.

Ryan is developing a protocol with the Speaker of the legislative assembly, who will be notified of any alleged wrongdoings by an MLA or the premier, she said.