Title
Whistleblower Policy C-HR30
Proposed Motion
That the proposed revisions to Whistleblower Policy C-HR30 be approved, as presented.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports revising the Whistleblower Policy to address changes in legislation.
Purpose
To provide Council with a revised version of Parkland County's Whistleblower Policy C-HR30 that the policy conforms with the Municipal Government Act, the Access to Privacy Act and the Protection of Privacy Act for approval.
Summary
The Policy has been revised as follows.
References to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act have been update to reference the Protection of Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act in the following locations:
1. under the heading “References”;
2. in section 2.d; and
3. under the heading “Standards” in section 3.5.
References to Parkland County Bylaw 2018-05 - Code of Conduct have been deleted in the following locations:
1. under the heading “References”;
2. under the heading “Responsibilities" section 1.c;
3. under the heading “Standards” section 1.4; and
re-number sections as required.
Remove references to Council’s review of Third Party Administrator at “organizational meeting(s)“ and revise wording to state that Council will review the Third Party Administrator annually, as follows:
1. under “Definitions” revise section 12;
2. under “Responsibilities” revise section 1.d; and
3. Schedule “A”.
Rational for Changes:
Privacy and Access Legislation References - in June 2025 the Province rescinded the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and replaced it with 2 separate acts; these are the Access to Information Act and the Protection of Privacy Act.
Code of Conduct Bylaw 2018-05 - in May 2025, Bill 50 the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, received royal assent. As a result, all code of conduct bylaw provisions are no longer legally enforceable. Accordingly, all references to code of conduct are required to be removed from this policy.
Review of Third Party Administrator - Administration supports the annual review of this policy at a regular meeting of Council where Council can conduct a proper review, meet in closed session to receive the annual report from the CAO, and appoint the Third Party Administrator for the next year.
The revised Whistleblower Policy C-HR30 is presented for Council approval.
History
On December 9, 2025 Council directed administration to update Whistleblower Policy C-HR30 as discussed and present a revised version for approval in Q1 2026.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
Pillar D: Responsible Leadership: To ensure that Council is supported by a robust and current framework of bylaws, policies, and plans.