News Ethics
Nova Scotia launches whistleblower tool to report fraud, suspicious financial activity for government-funded organizations

Nova Scotia has launched a tool for whistleblowers to confidentially report fraud, financial impropriety or suspicious financial activity involving organizations funded by the skills and learning branch of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration.

The fraud reporting service is available through ClearView Connects and provides staff, board members and clients of third-party organizations a safe and easy-to-use platform to report allegations of fraud, it said.

“We take the integrity of our programs and services seriously, and we are committed to guarding against all forms of fraud or abuse,” said Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “This new fraud reporting service will further support the rigour we put into monitoring programs to empower people to do the right thing while fostering a culture of integrity and responsibility.”

Whistleblowers can remain anonymous and will not have to provide their names unless they choose to do so. Reports can be made online, by telephone or mail. Reports will be encrypted, IP addresses and telephone numbers will not be tracked, and calls will not be recorded.

The Department investigates all allegations of fraud, it said.

ClearView Connects is a Canadian company that provides a secure and confidential system for people to ask questions, raise concerns or report unethical behavior. Implementing a confidential fraud reporting system was recommended by the internal audit centre of Service Nova Scotia and in line with the report of the Office of the Auditor General following an audit and investigation into a former service provider.

The government has signed an agreement for one year at a cost of $1,700 with a one-time set-up fee of $1,000 with ClearView Connects, it said.