When a process is fair, it promotes confidence in public institutions and in dispute resolution initiatives like workplace ombuds, industry arbitration programs or other complaint procedures. One aspect of fair process is the ability for an individual to raise concerns without risk of reprisal or sanction.
On Febraury 9, 2012, Kevin Fenwick, the provincial ombudsman of Saskatchewan, was named Acting Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner for that province. He can now receive complaints from employees of provincial government ministries, agecies, boards and commissions who wish to report wrongdoing in their workplaces without fear of reprisal. A wrongdoing may be an unlawful act, mismangement of public funds or a substantive and specific danger to the environment.
Fenwick said of his new role, "While research tells us that many public servants will want to report problems internally first, others will choose to report to an independent body and we are pleased...that we are that option."
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