Reporting a wrongdoing: Have you knocked at the right door?
Under the Act to facilitate the disclosure of wrongdoings relating to public bodies (in French only), it is important to reiterate the IMPORTANCE of disclosing wrongdoings to the Protecteur du citoyen, something that is done in strict confidence and that is protected from reprisals.
What is a wrongdoing?
Any act committed or about to be committed against Santé Québec Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal – Universitaire, and that constitutes:
- A contravention of an Act or regulation applicable in Québec;
- A serious breach of the standards of ethics and professional conduct;
- A misuse of funds or property belonging to the institution, including the funds or property it manages or holds for others;
- Gross mismanagement within a public agency, including an abuse of authority;
- Any act or omission that seriously compromises or may seriously compromise a person’s health or safety or the environment;
- Directing or counselling a person to commit a wrongdoing above.
Examples of wrongdoings:
- Misusing influence in transactions for benefit;
- Misappropriation of funds, supplies or other assets (pay cheques, cheques, etc.);
- Falsification of reported work hours;
- Falsification of cheques, invoices and requisitions;
- Impropriety with intent in the handling or reporting of money or financial transactions;
- Misusing the institution’s assets (for example: office supplies, vehicles, mobile phones, computers) for personal gain;
- Destruction, removal or inappropriate use of archives, records, furniture, fixtures, and equipment;
- Unauthorized use of confidential information;
- Disclosing confidential and proprietary information to outside parties for benefit;
- Undeclared conflicts of interest;
- Accepting or seeking anything of material value from suppliers or persons providing services or materials to the institution;
- Accepting bribes or benefits to act.
Who can be targeted by a disclosure?
- A staff member of a public organization covered by the Act, regardless of hierarchical level.
- Any person, company, group or other entity committing a wrongful act with regard to an organization covered by the Act (for example: improper management of public funds paid to an organization).
You may be aware of wrongdoing, but not know exactly who committed it. This should not prevent you from disclosing any information you have to the
How do I disclose a wrongdoing?
Disclosures can be made anonymously and confidentially via the Protecteur du citoyen website.
You can also ask the person in charge of ethics and integrity management designated by Santé Québec about the possibility of making a disclosure and about the protection against reprisal provided by the Act respecting protection against reprisal for the disclosure of wrongdoing by sending the necessary information by e-mail: rgei@sante.quebec
Who can make a disclosure to the Protecteur du citoyen?
- All staff paid by Santé Québec Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal – Universitaire (permanent or casual employees and management);
- Residents, students, interns and volunteers working in the facility;
- Physicians practicing in the facility who are active, associate or consulting members.
- Any staff member of a Santé Québec Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal – Universitaire supplier or subcontractor.
- Any other person (patient, external consultant, citizen, student, parent, etc.).
Which door to knock on to hit the right target
Do you know who does what in our organization when it comes to the roles and responsibilities of the bodies below? Have you aimed at the right target?
- Protecteur du citoyen
- Service Quality and Complaints Commissioner
- Users’ Committee
- Civility Office
Please click on the poster to find out who to contact and how to reach them.
