Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Good afternoon. I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to speak to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates.

My office owes all Canadians a duty to expose wrongdoing in the federal public sector. At the same time, we owe every person who places their trust in us—including those who find themselves accused of wrongdoing—an impartial and timely outcome based on a serious consideration of all the facts.

Since November of 2022, our caseload has quadrupled, with the number of active submissions reaching 218 at the end of November 2024, including 162 files in analysis and 56 active investigations. This demonstrates the ever more apparent relevance of the office's mandate.

Each submission can contain multiple and distinct allegations, each of which requires admissibility analysis and a complete response. This sharp increase was initially viewed as a surge, but given its sustained nature, it now seems more likely that demand will continue to rise until it eventually plateaus at a new normal. That plateau is not yet in sight.

While it is gratifying that disclosers and complainants are demonstrating trust in my office, the increased number of submissions cannot be addressed within existing capacity. Without an urgent injection of resources, there's a risk that some investigations may not be completed in a timely manner, resulting in an erosion of the availability and the quality of documentary evidence and witness accounts, and the possibility of some cases being left to languish with no resolution.

Of great concern is the inability to investigate reprisal complaints in a timely manner, which would leave public servants vulnerable and exposed to hostile workplaces and affect their employment. Also of concern is the risk that delays would allow wrongdoing to continue without consequence. The potential impact cannot be overstated.

As stated in the preamble of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act that established the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner in 2007, “it is in the public interest to maintain and enhance public confidence in the integrity of public servants”.

The inability to effectively investigate and expose wrongdoing due to a paucity of resources impedes effective accountability, thereby undermining a vital component of the checks and balances that enhance confidence in public institutions.

The current funding limitations have compelled some difficult but necessary decisions. The mandate to provide funding for legal assistance to disclosers, complainants and respondents is in jeopardy. Requesters seeking funds for legal advice will need to wait until the new fiscal year. Also, travel required for investigations has been severely limited, slowing progress on a number of files. Significantly more than half of active investigations are outside the national capital region.

In the 2024 budget, my office was allocated a small increase that allowed for the addition of some human resources and the replacement of an antiquated case management system that predated the office's inception in 2007. These resources have been absorbed, but they do not begin to address the influx of submissions. The financial crisis is very real.

To date, my office has taken action to gain efficiencies wherever possible, including leveraging technology and streamlined processes, as well as reviewing and refining operational practices. These efforts have not been sufficient to overcome the crisis. Consequently, in early August I submitted a modest off-cycle request for additional resources, which hasn't yet been addressed. This experience makes very evident the need for an independent funding mechanism for my office, equivalent to the one in place for the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. Such a mechanism would not only better address our needs but also reduce the possibility of a real or apparent conflict of interest between my office and the government.

My team continues to work diligently and professionally, despite a lack of resources. Their work contributes to maintaining a safe space for whistleblowers and an impartial investigation process that protects the rights of all.

I thank you for the opportunity to address this committee and welcome any questions that you may have.

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