Tools and Strategies for Accountability at the Canadian Federal Government

Here I am providing some practical tools and strategies for you to get more disclosure and accountability from your Canadian Federal Government! Please recommend other ideas in your comments - these tools benefit everyone!

Number 1: ATIP Requests

Are you ready to be unpopular with your superiors? Yep, all the way up the chain. I'm kidding, this is a way to get access to a lot of interesting information.

For a nominal fee, or even for free, you can get a daily dose of Transparency!

The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) is all about this. They have designed a great portal for ATIP requests (the ATIP Online Request Service) here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/access-information-privacy/access-information/atip-online-request-service-latest-news.html

You can also review previously submitted requests. Hey, there's one of mine:

https://open.canada.ca/en/search/ati/reference/b7eac89f0126df9e47fba4cf9a58270d

Number 2: Union, Union, Union

A huge benefit of working for the "Feds" is that you now work in a unionized environment with some very savvy unions. Know who your Steward is, and where the online help form is! For example, the PIPSC online question form is located at: https://pipsc.ca/about/contact-us/ask-us

Memorize your membership number. :)

Number 3: Internal Disclosures of Wrongdoing

Edward Snowden certainly made whistleblowing fashionable, but remember that it's a great thing to do. Yes, you may feel compelled to leave the country after doing this, but consider doing it anyway.

You will have a specific contact at your department for Internal Disclosures. For example, Shared Services Canada's contact is: [email protected]

More information can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/contact-us/whistleblowing/submit-disclosure-wrongdoing.html

Number 4: Contract Concerns

Do you have concerns about a specific contract? Have you reviewed Canada's Competition Act (https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-34/index.html)? Did this enhance your concerns?

There is a procedure for reporting concerns about contracts. These are investigated!

If you suspect cheating or funny business of any form in a federal contract, report it here:

https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/report-cheating-federal-government-contracts/en/report-cheating-federal-government-contracts-submit-tip

We are proud to live in an accountable, transparent, and sustainable country. If you cheat in any way, you will be caught. Be proud of your position and this country!