Whistleblower legislation expanded to include research universities and WorkSafeBC

The BC Government is expanding the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) to research universities and WorkSafeBC.

PIDA, or whistleblower legislation, has been implemented through a phased approach since it came into force in December 2019.

This marks the final scheduled phase of implementation of the act in the broader public sector.

“By bringing employees from research universities and WorkSafeBC under the protections of PIDA, we are making sure that employees in the public sector feel safe and are protected should they need to report serious wrongdoing,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General.

“Over the past five years, we have expanded PIDA to ensure that institutions have the framework in place to preserve and uphold integrity and accountability in the public sector.”

Specific types of wrongdoing that may be disclosed under PIDA includes:

• a serious act or omission that, if proven, would constitute an offence under an enactment of B.C., or Canada;
• an act or omission that creates substantial and specific danger to the life, health or safety of persons, or to the environment, other than a danger that is inherent in the performance of an employee’s duties or functions;
• a serious misuse of public funds or public assets;
• gross or systemic mismanagement; and
• knowingly directing or counselling a person to commit a wrongdoing above.

Disclosers and those who participate in PIDA investigations are protected from reprisal, including demotion, termination of employment or other measures that negatively affect their work conditions.