The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act is in place to protect public sector employees and political staff from punishment if they:

• Disclose wrongdoing that is conducted against the public’s interest

• Seek advice or information about disclosing a wrongdoing from:

  • their supervisor,

  • the Designated Officer, or

  • the Public Interest Commissioner

• Co-operate in an investigation into wrongdoing

• Decline to participate in suspected wrongdoing

The Act provides a process that protects Alberta public servants by ensuring:

• Donfidentiality for those who seek advice about or make a disclosure*,

• A clear process and set of timelines to guide employees when they disclose wrongdoing

• A transparent process in place to support investigations

• A strict set of penalties for those who commit a reprisal (punishment for reporting wrongdoing), obstruct an investigation, destroy records, or make false or misleading statements as part of an investigation, and

• A broad range of remedies for employees who have experienced reprisal

**Some information gathered from the Government of Alberta website.