5 years later, whistleblower law still silent

Nearly five years after promising greater protection for civil servants, the Newfoundland and Labrador government is no closer to tabling whistleblower legislation, and the minister in charge is not sure it ever will.

"We continue to monitor and look at other jurisdictions that have whistleblower legislation in place," Justice Minister Felix Collins told reporters on Wednesday.

Collins says there are problems with the legislation everywhere else the province has looked.

And he believes the existing legislative regime in Newfoundland and Labrador may provide adequate protections for government workers.

"Theres all kinds of coverage already we have in our jurisdiction," he said.

The Tories first promised whistleblower laws in 2007, before that years provincial election.

On Wednesday, Collins deflected questions about the election promise, instead contending the province is still "on the same path."

'Honour the concrete promise?'

The issue was raised during question period in the legislature by St. Johns Centre NDP MHA Gerry Rogers.

"In their 2008 throne speech, government committed to introduce whistleblower protection legislation that same year after appropriate consultation had taken place," Rogers said.

"Here we are, four years later, with no whistleblower protection legislation in sight ... I ask the premier: Will she honour the concrete promise that was made so long ago?"

But according to Collins, the other legislation the government has studied is either flawed or ineffective, so officials have found no good fit to date.

He said the province will continue to "monitor" the situation in other jurisdictions.