The Halifax Regional Municipality (Canada) is considering whistle-blower protection to help city hall officials guard the public purse, a municipal staff report says.
The proposal, among changes to be made to the municipality’s ethics policy, would ensure municipal employees, members of municipal boards, agencies and commissions, and regional councillors are backed up by city legislation should they be hesitant about going public with any allegations of wrongdoing.
"No member of council or an employee of the . . . municipality (or group member affiliated) with the HRM council . . . shall intimidate, harass or coerce another employee because the employee has acted in accordance with . . . this policy," the proposal says.
It also says anyone found to have misled the authorities by making a false allegation is subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal. (more)