Making a Disclosure

Content of disclosure

A disclosure should include:

• any information that a public servant believes could show that a wrongdoing has been committed or is about to be committed by the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada or that could show that a public servant has been asked to commit a wrongdoing
• any supporting documentation that a public servant may have in their possession

A disclosure should not include any information that:

• is subject to solicitor-client privilege
• discloses Cabinet confidences

Please note that in making a disclosure, a public servant must follow established protocols for the secure handling, storage, transportation, and transmission of information or documents. A disclosure may be submitted using the Disclosure of Wrongdoing Form.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the disclosure regime. The Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act includes confidentiality provisions aimed at protecting—to the extent possible in accordance with the law—the identity of those who make a disclosure and the identities of any witnesses or persons alleged to have committed wrongdoing.

Information obtained or created by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada in the course of an investigation into a disclosure cannot be released under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

Legal advice requests

Under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, the Auditor General of Canada may provide access to legal advice for a disclosure concerning the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada, provided that certain criteria are met. Requests for access to legal advice may be submitted by completing the Legal Advice Request Form. The decision whether to grant a request will be communicated in writing, and urgent requests will be assessed on a priority basis.