| Privacy and Whistleblowers On December 20, 2004, the Ottawa Citizen published my objections to the Privacy Commissioner’s suggestion that whistleblowers be subjected to The Privacy Act. Re: Whistleblower law protects accusers “in most cases” Bogus privacy arguments such as those made by Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates on Tuesday December 26, not only have the potential of killing meaningful whistleblower legislation but also of nurturing informers — those who have an axe to grind or a score to settle, instead of encouraging whistleblowers — those who are concerned about maintaining the integrity of the Public Service and have the public interest in mind. Take it from someone whose been there, done that. Whistleblowers tend to be people who are committed to their organisation. They want to be proud of who they work for and who they work with. They also know that perfection is not of this world and that people will make mistakes. Whistleblowers don’t jump to conclusions, if they notice what they believe is a serious wrongdoing by a superior or a colleague they will tend to assume it was a lapse in judgement or a misunderstanding on their part and will naturally want to talk about it with their colleague or superior. Whistleblowers will usually go public as a last resort. For a whistleblower, publicity is the best insurance that they will be protected and that they will be taken seriously, therefore whether the whistleblower’s identify should be protected or the issue he or she has raised kept secret, unless it’s a question of national security, should be up to the whistleblower. Bernard Payeur
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