St. John's whistleblower bylaw on hold

St. John's city council has delayedpassing new whistleblower legislation.

The bylaw would protect city employees who report anything from questionable spending to dangerous work practices.

Council discussed the proposal Monday evening, but Coun. Gerry Colbert wasn't sure it went far enough to protect employees who report on others.

"Otherwise, people are going to say, 'wait a second now. I'm on the hook if something goes wrong. The city might have deep pockets, but I can't afford to protect myself ... Who protects me?' "

Colbert says nothing should deter employees who want to report questionable activity.

Nearly a year ago,city officials saidthey were preparing to introduce whistleblower protections.

At the time, they suggested the new bylaw could be ready for a vote by May 2011.