New whistleblower protection policy for P.E.I. detailed

The P.E.I. government has announced the details of its new whistleblower protection policy.

The province says thepolicy lays out the procedure for reporting wrongdoing and ensures protection from reprisal for public sector employees who, in good faith, report wrongdoing.

In a news release,Premier Wade MacLauchlan saidthe new policy "supports employees and recognizes the vital role they have in speaking truth to power."

Under the policy, an employee can make a disclosure to a supervisor, deputy minister, or the Ethics and Integrity Commissioner on a confidential basis.

The Commissioner is then supposed to take appropriate steps to help resolve the matter, including referring it for investigation or conducting an investigation.

The whistleblowerpolicycovers a violation of any law, gross mismanagement of public funds or government assets, an act or omission that creates asubstantial and specific danger to life, health or safety, or the environment.

While the policy provides protections for whistleblowers, it also says an employee who makes a false complaint in bad faith or a false or misleading statement, can be subject to disciplinary or legal action.

• Read whistleblower policy from government