Yes, and I think the act obviously acknowledges that reprisals are a significant hurdle preventing a whistle-blower from coming forward.
I would also suggest that just the process itself may be an obstacle to whistle-blowers coming forward. Again, I go back to, “Why should I?” If I'm that person, I have to ask myself this. I have a family to support. I have a good job. I like my job. I like my co-workers. All this is potentially at risk just by my coming forward, even without any reprisal. You're labelled; you're thought of differently.
Then you have to subject yourself to, I think, an onerous process, procedurally speaking. Just navigating this, you would need legal advice just to figure out where to go, who to talk to, who to air your grievance with. Should I go to the union? Should I go to my harassment officer? Do I go internally? Do I go to your office, Mr. Friday? What happens if I do that? What are the consequences? All this analysis needs to be done, frankly, without the skills to do the analysis, because no person would necessarily be appreciative of all the consequences of these big decisions.
I understand the reprisals need to be addressed, but how can we make it easier for someone who sees wrongdoing to just come forward and know that's okay and that should be a natural part of the job, and we're grateful you're coming forward? How can we get to that point?