Public Sector Integrity Commissioner Harriet Solloway is advocating for additional funding to address the mounting workload in her office. Solloway, who heads the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner (PSIC), is seeking a $14 million increase from the government, on top of the current $8.2 million budget. She emphasizes the necessity of this funding boost to sustain Canada’s whistleblowing and integrity system amidst a significant surge in submissions.
According to Solloway, the escalation in caseloads is straining the office’s capacity, with approximately 300 submissions awaiting review and 73 ongoing investigations. Notably, some of these submissions date back over a year. In 2021, PSIC received 192 submissions and closed 157 cases, a notable increase from the 680 submissions received and 558 completed cases in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
While the rise in submissions does not necessarily indicate a rise in misconduct within the public service, Solloway attributes it to a growing awareness of PSIC’s existence among public servants and the general public. Established in 2007 under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, PSIC investigates allegations of wrongdoing and reprisals in the federal public sector, reporting directly to Parliament.
Solloway underlines that the office’s role extends beyond accountability, emphasizing the importance of deterrence in preventing misconduct. Recent investigations into issues such as harassment at the Parole Board of Canada and leaks at the Masqui Institution prison showcase the breadth of PSIC’s work, which includes probing financial mismanagement cases.
However, PSIC’s ability to process disclosures in a timely manner has been hampered, with some concerns remaining unaddressed due to resource constraints. A notice on the PSIC website warns of potential delays for tipsters. Solloway’s funding plea coincides with government cutbacks to the public service, with no confirmation yet on whether her request will be granted.
Mohammad Kamal, the Director of Communications for the Office of the President of the Treasury Board, acknowledges the significance of PSIC’s work and the government’s commitment to supporting it. He highlights the incremental budget increases for the office in recent years, noting that agents of Parliament, including the integrity commissioner, were excluded from recent spending reviews to safeguard their independence.
Solloway remains optimistic about securing the necessary funds, stressing the urgency of the situation given the mounting workload. She asserts that if the funding is not granted promptly, she will persist in advocating for the resources required to fulfill PSIC’s mandate effectively.