OTTAWA -- Canada's public sector integrity watchdog and protector of civil service whistleblowers is quitting.

Mario Dion says he will leave his post as integrity commissioner in December after four years.

Dion cites personal reasons for leaving.

He tabled his first report on wrongdoing in March 2012 and has since tabled eight more, referring six cases to the public servants disclosure protection tribunal.

In April 2013, he established a set of standards setting out specific deadlines for dealing with claims of wrongdoing or complaints of reprisals.

His office says he devoted much of his time as commissioner to making public servants aware of the existence and powers of his office, which was established to protect whistleblowers.

The federal government has begun a publicly advertised selection process to choose a successor.

In leaving, Dion said he is confident the office can meet its mandate to protect public servants who point out wrongdoing.

"Public servants should feel confident that there is a body ready and available to address their concerns," Dion said in a statement.

"The objectives I set out to accomplish have been met and the office is ready to welcome new leadership to continue strengthening the public sector whistleblowing regime."

The office of the commissioner was created by the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, which came into force in April 2007.