Red Deer County's new whistleblower policy provides welcome improvements to how allegations against the county or its staff are handled, says a county councillor.
"It's way more transparent. For me, it really walks the talk of transparency and accountability," said Coun. Christine Moore.
The new policy passed by council on Tuesday emerged from an in-depth governance review completed earlier this year that included a host of recommendations to improve and clarify county procedures.
Changes to the Whistleblower Policy reinforces that county employees who raise concerns or allege wrongdoing will be protected provided the information is provided in good faith, believed to be substantially true, and was not put forward out of malice or to seek personal or financial gain.
The scope of those protected has been extended to include all county employees, council members, contractors and volunteers.
Previously, the policy applied to county employees, long-term contractors and volunteers.
Moore said the biggest improvement is the use of MNP, the accounting and business consulting firm that audits the county each year, to provide whistleblower services. Those who have a complaint will contact MNP, which will investigate and advise the county of potential threats and suggested responses.
It allows a council member who identifies an issue of concern to take their complaint to an arm's-length, independent body.
"If there was something out there, for whatever reason, they did not want to discuss it with senior leadership or anyone else they could go straight to the independence of Meyers Norris Penny, who would start the investigation then go from there," she said.
For councillors, it allows them the option to raise concerns without being put in the difficult position of going through administrators with whom they work with on an almost daily basis.
Complaints can be taken to the assistant chief administrative officer, who can investigate, but MNP's whistleblower service provides another option.
As the victim of a complaint found to be baseless and malicious last fall, Moore believes the whistle blower service of MNP will provide reassurance to others placed in a similar position that it is being dealt with by an independent arbiter.
"I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I went through, particularly when it was deemed malicious."
Should a councillor lodge a complaint against someone else on council that would be dealt with through council's Code of Conduct Bylaw.
