Yukon government introduces whistleblower legislation

The Yukon government has delivered on a promise made seven years ago to set up whistleblower protection to protect employees who expose wrong-doing or financial mismanagement by government bodies.

The legislation introduced into the legislature covers government and other agencies, including the Yukon Hospital Corporation, Yukon Housing Corporation and Yukon Energy.

Opposition New Democratic MLA Jan Stick sat on the legislative committee that delivered recommendations two years ago.

She says it's needed.

"I hear from a lot of individuals who come through our office, who have concerns or want to talk about something, but don't want their name to be associated with it, or don't want us to even more forward with it, because they're fearful," Stick says.

The minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, Currie Dixon, says there'll be no reason to be afraid once the legislation is passed and in force.

"It strengthens the public accountability and it ensures that public servants that bring forward a wrong-doing or something that's occurred in government that's inappropriate, are protected," Dixon says.

"And they have that security and comfort in bringing those forward." 

Last spring, Yukon's ombudsman criticized proposals for the law, saying oversight bodies were only given authority to make recommendations. Now there's a provision for binding arbitration.

Stick says she hopes the bill gives employees the reassurance they need to report misconduct.

"If they see wrong-doing, they can go forward, their concerns can be heard and that they're safe from reprisals," she says.

The act is expected to come into force next year.