Nova Scotia has unveiled a new tool for confidential fraud reporting related to organizations funded by the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration’s skills and learning branch.
This initiative, announced earlier this week, aims to provide a secure platform for staff, board members, and clients of third-party organizations to report any allegations of fraud, financial impropriety, or suspicious activities.
The service, accessible through ClearView Connects, offers a safe and user-friendly way to report fraud, the province said.
According to Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration, the move underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its programs and services.
“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,” said Minister Balser.
Whistleblowers using the service can choose to remain anonymous, with no requirement to disclose their identity. The system allows for reports to be made online, via telephone, or through mail. To ensure confidentiality, reports will be encrypted, IP addresses and telephone numbers will not be tracked, and phone calls will not be recorded.
The Department pledges to investigate all allegations of fraud thoroughly. ClearView Connects, a Canadian company, provides this secure and confidential system, allowing individuals to raise concerns or report unethical behavior.
The implementation of this confidential fraud reporting system comes as a recommendation from the internal audit centre of Service Nova Scotia. It aligns with the findings of the Office of the Auditor General following an audit and investigation into a former service provider.
The government has entered into a one-year agreement with ClearView Connects at a cost of $1,700, alongside a one-time set-up fee of $1,000. This initiative reflects the Department’s ongoing efforts to fund hundreds of organizations across Nova Scotia each year, maintaining a standard of transparency and ethical conduct.
