Reference Number: PSDPA 2019-2020-007
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
File Identification Number: PSDPA 2019-2020-007
File Identification Date: 2020-10-27
Findings and Conclusions: a misuse of public funds or a public asset
Case Description: ESDC’s Senior Disclosure Officer received a disclosure of wrongdoing under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, alleging wrongdoing under section 8 (b) of the Act. An investigation was conducted and an employee was found to have committed wrongdoing by making unauthorized use of government property. The employee failed to return a Government of Canada Blackberry cellphone, and continued to use the cellphone after retiring from the public service.
Recommendations and Corrective Measures: The Assistant Deputy Minister of Ontario region has already recovered the Government of Canada Blackberry cellphone and disconnected the cellphone account. In addition, the Ontario Region has put in place a rigorous process in off boarding employees, and the Innovation Information and Technology Branch now meticulously monitors the use of departmental cellphones and other devices to prevent these types of situations from occurring.