BackThe Minister of Finance has declined a request from the Yukon Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner, and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner, Jason Pedlar to cease Government of Yukon’s (YG) unprecedented insertion into his budgetary process, and follow the legislated procedures designed to safeguard the independence of his three mandates. The Minister’s response has forced Pedlar to explore legal action to uphold international standards and protect the rights of Yukoners.
The Ombudsman/Commissioner’s office oversees many public organizations, including YG, to protect the public’s right to fair service, access to information and protection of privacy, as well as disclose wrongdoings in the workplace. The Ombudsman Act creates processes to protect and uphold these rights and to ensure the autonomy and independence of these mandates.
“Government intrusion creates both a real and perceived conflict of interest that could be used against us as a punitive measure if our findings or actions are unfavourable or seen to be so,” wrote Jason Pedlar. “It is the proverbial Yukon fox guarding the hen house.”
The Ombudsman/Commissioner(s) is an Officer of the Legislative Assembly who is independent from government - including the budgetary process that funds his mandates. This process includes a review by the all-party Member Services Board (MSB) who submits their recommended budgets to the Minister of Finance who then must table it in the Legislative Assembly for debate.
“Budgetary independence is an international standard that reduces the risk of political interference,” said Jason Pedlar. “Our budget was reviewed by MSB and must now be tabled, unaltered, when the Legislative Assembly sits again. It is at this stage the budget can be debated and altered.”
The Ombudsman/Commissioner(s) intends for this matter to be settled for the spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Source: The Office of the Yukon Ombudsman, Canada
