Public Sector Integrity Commissioner Finds Wrongdoing at the Correctional Service of Canada

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For immediate release

 

Ottawa, March 12, 2020 - The Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada, Joe Friday, tabled a Case Report in Parliament today regarding the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC).

As a result of a whistleblower coming forward, Commissioner Friday investigated allegations of wrongdoing and found that the CSC failed to maintain a safe work environment by taking inadequate action in response to incidents of insubordination, endangerment of an employee and harassment carried out by a group of Correctional Officers in the Regional Mental Health Centre at the Archambault Institution, in Quebec.

“These were not isolated incidents; instead, systemic problems were created by a work environment in which a group of Correctional Officers were emboldened to be insubordinate with little or no consequence. The CSC failed to ensure that these Correctional Officers fulfilled their duties, and as a result put the safety of employees at risk.”

Commissioner Friday concluded that the CSC committed gross mismanagement and put at risk the life, health and safety of an employee. He added, “my hope is that this report can serve as a reminder that all employees have a right to a healthy and safe workplace, and that responses to unacceptable behaviour must be timely and effective.”

The Case Report includes recommendations related to disciplinary actions and practices, as well as workplace wellness. Commissioner Friday is satisfied with the CSC’s response to the recommendations.

Please consult the Case Report for further details. You can also view Commissioner Friday’s full statement on YouTube.

 

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For more information, contact:

Bronwyn Johns-O’Hara
Manager, Communications
613-415-5185
communications@psic-ispc.gc.ca