How am I protected?

  • Your identity is protected.
    The identity of whistleblowers and of anyone who cooperates in an audit or investigation is protected. When you disclose, the information you send us is handled confidentially. All disclosed information is only available to those authorized to see it as part of their job.   
  • You can contest the reprisal you believe you have suffered.
    The Act to facilitate the disclosure of wrongdoings relating to public bodies prohibits reprisal or threats of reprisal. There are fines for those who contravene protection against reprisal and are found guilty of this offence. 
  • Do you believe you suffered reprisal after disclosing a wrongdoing or cooperating in an audit or investigation in good faith? Or are you being threatened or bullied to keep you from doing so? Turn to the Québec Ombudsman.

  1. Make sure that we can handle your complaint.

    • Check that the inconveniences you are experiencing are really reprisals in connection with a disclosure or investigation stemming from the disclosure.
    • Check whether we are the right organization.
    • Contact us as soon as possible after suffering reprisal.
    • Are the reprisals related to an employment condition? You probably have to contact the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST). In such cases, you have 45 days after suffering reprisal to file a complaint. If you are not sure, contact us.

  2. Make a complaint now:

Fines

Reprisal is an offence. Anyone found guilty is liable to a fine ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. The fine can reach $10,000 to $250,000 for government corporations. These fines are doubled for repeat offences.

Anyone who hinders or tries to hinder the Québec Ombudsman commits an offence. The same holds true for people who refuse to provide information or a document useful for an investigation. The fines range from $4,000 to $20,000 and are doubled for repeat offences.

Need Information? Feel free to call us for information or to ask about our access to legal advice service.

See

What is a reprisal?
Handling reprisal complaints
Procedure for handling disclosures (PDF, 277 KiB, in French only)

Frequently Asked Questions

See our FAQ