Government Operations committee  I'll go back to the existence and the creation of this office. It is innovative in bringing together all the integrity programs, and in the idea that an employee has a safe haven to come and discuss, in confidence, some of the issues, and is given an opportunity to see what the o

Government Operations committee  Run that by me again.

Government Operations committee  It doesn't matter what they feel. My job is to manage and bring forth some of these issues, whether it be through internal disclosure or as an ombudsman. That role is basically to bring to light systemic issues or organizational issues.

Government Operations committee  Having or not having disclosures, I think.... I bring it back to the creation of an office where employees come to see us in a preventative way and then look at all possible options to resolve. Not all wrongdoing needs an investigation, but wrongdoing needs to be addressed. There

Government Operations committee  The report covers the volume of cases, statistics, my observations as ombudsman, the employer-employee relationship, and awareness activities to encourage employees to use the services of our office in a preventive way rather than as a last resort.

Government Operations committee  My comments in the report are based on my observations. They can include suggestions, but I do not make specific recommendations about the act.

Government Operations committee  She's the IDS manager, so it's 100%.

Government Operations committee  Correct.

Government Operations committee  First of all, our office does not do the investigation. We actually contract the wrongdoing investigation if it's filed under our office. With respect to the background, I've been in the public service in labour relations and HR for 24 years, and I've been an ombudsman for about

Government Operations committee  There are standing offers.

Government Operations committee  There are outside firms that specialize in investigations, yes.

Government Operations committee  In discussion with the employees, we provide many different options. As you know, they can come to their supervisor, me, or the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner. We don't refer cases to the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner. It's the employee who chooses to go directly the

Government Operations committee  We provide the options and explain the process to them.

Government Operations committee  As a senior officer, I report directly to the deputy minister of Health Canada.

Government Operations committee  No, it is separate from Health Canada.