Integrity commissioner's office struggling to keep up with whistleblowers

The power of the Public sphere wholeness Commissioner says it's face of the earth overwhelmed by its work load and that eliminating the backlog of files would require more analysts and lawyers.

The office investigates complaints from public servants who believe they have evidence of wrongdoing, or who have suffered reprisals for coming forward or participating in an investigation of wrongdoing.

Commissioner Harriet Solloway told The Canadian Press her office has received 380 submissions so far this year — 78 claims of reprisals and 302 claims of wrongdoing.

Solloway said those cases are based on a variety of claims related to generalized abuses of power, toxic workplaces, widespread or systemic discrimination or financial mismanagement.

Many of the submissions the office receives don't fall within its mandate, Solloway said, and that most submissions contain multiple allegations. She said only a small percentage of findings of wrongdoing result in a report to Parliament.

Solloway said her office has received 416 general inquiries so far in 2025, while it received 526 general inquiries during all of 2024.

"We are on track to exceed by far the highest number of general inquiries to date, to which we strive to reply within 48 hours," she said in an email reply to The Canadian Press.

Solloway said 220 files are still awaiting analysis, some dating back 15 months.

The commissioner said her office analyzed 56 submissions in June as it received 68 new ones — the highest number of monthly submissions to date.

There is a risk that some allegations "may never see the light of day," Solloway said, given her office's current resources.

"Eliminating the backlog and addressing the unprecedented levels of incoming files would require a significant and sustained increase in the number of analysts and lawyers," she said.

Solloway attributes the spike to greater awareness of her office and "increased trust in the federal whistleblowing regime."

"There has been no indication of a surge in wrongdoing or problematic behaviours in the federal public sector," Solloway said.

The office has 62 files now that are either active or awaiting assignment to an investigator, Solloway said.

"The complexity of files, many of which include multiple allegations, also impacts the length of our investigations," she said.

Solloway said delays in the investigation process can have a "significant impact on the availability of witnesses and the quality of the evidence."

"Delays also have a detrimental effect on whistleblowers who may have suffered reprisals, and accused individuals remain under a cloud of suspicion without timely resolution," she said.

"To ensure accountability, to protect whistleblowers and to uphold public trust, our office must be equipped with the resources necessary to meet the demands placed upon it."

Reporter

Catherine Morrison is a reporter for The Canadian Press.

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