Sandy Silver is the Liberals’ new representative on a committee charged with looking at creating whistleblower legislation.
He replaces the other half of the Liberal duo, Darius Elias, who was dismayed with sitting on a committee that he views as being little more than a “stalling tactic” on the part of the government.
Silver has a more charitable view on the committee, which is chaired by Yukon Party backbencher Patti McLeod. Stacey Hassard and Doug Graham are the government’s other appointees, and Jan Stick will represent the NDP.
Hassard and Graham persuaded Silver that the new committee is more than a foot-dragging exercise, he said.
“They don’t strike me as saboteurs at all,” said Silver. “They’re straight shooters, and they want to get something done as well.”
The Yukon Party has promised to create whistleblower legislation since 2006. Such a law would help protect government workers who spoke out against wrongdoing and corruption.
A whistleblowing committee was struck in 2007, but government members blocked the release of its recommendations.
The new committee is being asked to answer nine questions. They include whether a whistleblower law will apply to private businesses as well as public institutions, what type of wrongdoing will be covered and what consequences would exist for maliciously accusing an employer of wrongdoing.
If the committee’s final report isn’t ready by this autumn, it will instead produce a progress report, which will include the expected timeline for completion.
“It’s holding us all accountable to at least get this ball rolling,” said Silver.
Contact John Thompson at
johnt@yukon-news.com