Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act

Marginal note:Complaints

• 19.1 (1) A public servant or a former public servant who has reasonable grounds for believing that a reprisal has been taken against him or her may file with the Commissioner a complaint in a form acceptable to the Commissioner. The complaint may also be filed by a person designated by the public servant or former public servant for the purpose.

• Marginal note:Time for making complaint

  (2) The complaint must be filed not later than 60 days after the day on which the complainant knew, or in the Commissioner’s opinion ought to have known, that the reprisal was taken.

• Marginal note:Time extended

  (3) The complaint may be filed after the period referred to in subsection (2) if the Commissioner feels it is appropriate considering the circumstances of the complaint.

• Marginal note:Effect of filing

  (4) Subject to subsection 19.4(4), the filing of a complaint under subsection (1) precludes the complainant from commencing any procedure under any other Act of Parliament or collective agreement in respect of the measure alleged to constitute the reprisal.

• Marginal note:Exception — RCMP

  (5) A member or former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police may not make a complaint under subsection (1) in relation to any action under section 20.2, or any matter that is the subject of an investigation or proceeding under Part IV of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, unless

  • (a) he or she has exhausted every procedure available under that Act for dealing with the action or matter; and

  • (b) the complaint is filed within 60 days after those procedures have been exhausted.