The Public Sector Integrity Commissioner is seeking additional funding from the government to handle the escalating number of cases, with numerous files remaining unreviewed. Harriet Solloway, the head of the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner (PSIC), emphasized the necessity of a $14 million increase on top of the current $8.2 million budget to sustain the whistleblowing and integrity system amidst a significant surge in submissions.
Solloway highlighted that the requested funding aligns with the mounting workload experienced by the office, emphasizing the importance of resources to manage the influx effectively. The rise in submissions, which includes a backlog of about 300 unreviewed cases and 73 ongoing investigations, has been a notable trend over the past few years.
While acknowledging the surge in submissions, Solloway clarified that it may not necessarily indicate a higher incidence of misconduct within the public service. She attributed the increase to a growing awareness among public servants and the general public about the existence of PSIC.
Established in 2007 under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, PSIC investigates potential wrongdoing within the federal public sector and handles reprisal complaints. Solloway underscored the significance of deterrence in their work, citing recent investigations on issues like harassment and financial mismanagement as examples of the office’s mandate.
Despite the funding challenges, Solloway remains optimistic about securing the necessary resources to address the mounting workload. She emphasized the critical role of adequate funding in maintaining the office’s effectiveness and expressed readiness to persist in advocating for the required support.