Letter to MND: Fair Decision-making for Fair Outcomes: Administrative Processes at DND - Internal disclosure of wrongdoing process (whistleblowing) report

18 December 2024

The Honourable Bill Blair, PC, COM, MP
Minister of National Defence
Department of National Defence and The Canadian Armed Forces
National Defence Headquarters
101 Colonel By Drive
13th Floor, North Tower
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2

Dear Minister Blair:

Please find enclosed the report Fair Decision-making for Fair Outcomes: Administrative Processes at DND - Internal disclosure of wrongdoing process (whistleblowing).

In past process reviews conducted by the Ombudsman’s office, serious issues were identified with respect to the DND’s whistleblowing process. Gaps in the existing policy structure had allowed for frequent procedural defects and breaches of procedural fairness, often resulting in unfair outcomes.

This report makes three new recommendations. If implemented, we believe that these recommendations will bring positive change to all civilian employees at the Department of National Defence. It marks the third and final installment in our office’s comprehensive review of DND’s internal complaint mechanisms. The first two portions of this review were submitted on 19 April 2024 and published on 23 May 2024. They are attached for your ease of reference.

This report is submitted to you pursuant to paragraph 38(1)(b) of the Ministerial Directives respecting the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. As is standard practice, we will be publishing the report no sooner than 28 days from the date of this letter. We would appreciate your response prior to publication so that it may be included. As in the past, we are offering your staff a briefing on the report prior to publication.

I look forward to your response to our recommendations.

Sincerely,

Robyn Hynes

Interim Ombud