By Canadian Press

Quebec agriculture minister says he was wrong to endorse firing of whistleblower

Feb 4, 2019 | 11:19 AM

MONTREAL — Quebec’s agriculture minister says he went too far when he endorsed the firing of a whistleblowing bureaucrat who had raised concerns about pesticide use.

Last week, Andre Lamontagne said he personally approved the dismissal of department agronomist Louis Robert for transmitting a confidential document to a journalist.

The minister told reporters this morning he had misspoken and the firing was an administrative decision. He said he has asked the Quebec ombudsman to investigate the case.

Robert, a seed expert, spoke out last year against what he said was private-sector interference in a public study on pesticide use. He was fired Jan. 24.

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Quebec’s whistleblower law protects employees who disclose information within their department. But disclosure to the public is protected only if the employee believes there is a serious risk to health, safety or the environment.

Robert’s union has vowed to contest his firing, saying it was unprecedented for a minister to intervene in the dismissal of an employee five levels below him in the bureaucratic hierarchy.

The Canadian Press