The Public Sector Integrity Commissioner is requesting additional funding to handle a growing number of cases, some of which have been left unaddressed. Harriet Solloway, the head of the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner (PSIC), is seeking $14 million from the federal government on top of the current budget of $8.2 million. Solloway emphasized the necessity of the funding increase to sustain Canada’s whistleblowing and integrity system in light of a significant rise in submissions to her office.
She highlighted that the workload justifies every penny of the requested funds, with approximately 300 submissions awaiting review and around 73 active investigations. Despite receiving 192 submissions in 2021 and completing 157, the office faced a surge in submissions, handling 680 and finalizing 558 in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Solloway attributed the spike in submissions not necessarily to increased wrongdoing in the public service but to a growing awareness of the existence of PSIC among public servants and the general public. Established in 2007 under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, PSIC can investigate potential wrongdoing in the federal public sector and complaints of reprisal, operating independently and reporting directly to Parliament.
As part of its mandate, PSIC focuses on deterrence, aiming to prevent misconduct by having an effective oversight mechanism in place. Recent investigations conducted by the office, such as those on harassment at the Parole Board of Canada and a leak at the Masqui Institution prison, showcase its commitment to addressing various issues, including financial mismanagement.
Despite facing delays in processing submissions, Solloway remains hopeful that the necessary funds will be allocated to sustain the crucial work of the office. The government, although committed to supporting PSIC, did not confirm approval of the requested budget increase. However, the office’s budget had seen incremental growth in recent main estimates, reflecting the government’s acknowledgment of its significance.
Solloway emphasized the urgency of securing additional funds to address the mounting workload. She expressed optimism about receiving the required support but noted her intention to persist in advocating for the necessary resources if the funding boost is not granted promptly.
