Greater Sudbury complaints service could protect whistleblowers

Morning North4:04City of Greater Sudbury offering whistleblowers protection

How should the of Greater Sudbury respond to complaints about its organization? A pitch to bring an outside body to manage the issues people have with the city got unaminous support from city council. We have part of the discussion on the matter.

The city of Greater Sudbury is trying to develop a new way of handling complaints.

At a meeting Tuesday night, councillors voted in favour of bringing in an external service provider to manage issues people have with the city.

The provider would monitor a telephone line and an email account, and isexpected to cost around $20,000. But, the pitchhasto be approved by the finance committee before it can go ahead.

The new complaints system would also give whistleblowers more protection through anonymity. If approved, the service will be be hired for a one- to two-year trial.

Mayor Brian Bigger encouraged councillors to support the proposal.

"We want to make sure that people feel comfortable if they do have valid complaints and concerns that they do bring them forward and there is no reprisal," he said.

Ward 5 Coun. Robert Kirwanalsogave the proposal a thumbs-up.

"I'm quite confident, especially because this is what staff is recommending," he said.

"I think staff is saying something to us that they would like this taken outside to start with, instead of having the complaints resolution process internal."

Read the city report.