Maintaining SuperNatural BC for Our Children - CoalWatch Comox ...

35. The Need to ProtectWhistleblowersBy Rachel Forbes and Amanda MacdonaldImagine that you worked for BC Parks and learned that the Minister ofEnvironment – who is supposed to protect parks – was giving the go-aheadto build a new road through park land that included habitat of a threatenedturtle species, to accommodate a nearby developer. This situation happened toGordon McAdams, a BC Parks employee of 34 years. McAdams was fired bythe provincial government in 2004 for preparing documents outlining what thegovernment was doing in order to challenge the minister’s decision in court.The court subsequently ruled that the minister had been acting illegally.Suppose, like Gord McAdams, you find out your employer is doing somethingwrong – what do you do? Do you speak up? Who do you tell? What are theconsequences? Will you be fired? Disciplined? Unfortunately, if you work inBritish Columbia, you find that our laws do not protect you very well.Maintaining SuperNatural BC: Selected Law Reform Proposals 155