Public Interest Disclosure Process Map

Public Interest Disclosure Act: What Happens Once a Disclosure has Been Made?

Internal Government Ministry Process

A current or former employee of a B.C. government ministry can make a PIDA disclosure to one of the following people:

• Their supervisor
• Their ministry designated officer (ethics advisor)
• The Agency designated officer
• Directly to the BC Ombudsperson

Once a disclosure has been made, a ministry designated officer/supervisor must forward the disclosure to the Agency designated officer in a timely manner. A disclosure may also be referred from another organization (e.g. BC Ombudsperson). On receiving a disclosure, the Agency designated officer will:

• Notify the deputy minister of the appropriate ministry
• Determine whether the disclosure meets PIDA requirements
• Do an initial assessment of the risk of reprisal

After completing these steps, the Agency designated officer will notify the discloser as to whether their disclosure meets PIDA requirements. If a disclosure doesn’t meet PIDA requirements, the Agency designated officer will provide reasons and explain further steps available.

If a disclosure does meet PIDA requirements, the Agency designated officer will determine whether an investigation is required, and whether there are any reasons to stop, refuse or refer the investigation. After taking these steps, the Agency designated officer will notify the discloser and the deputy minister of the appropriate ministry.

If a PIDA investigation is conducted, an investigation report will be provided to the deputy minister of the appropriate ministry and an appropriate summary of the report will be provided to the disclosing employee.