bout de papier, Vol. 17, No. 1 (2000) — Spring 2000 // Printemps 2000, p. 12
February 29, 2000
The Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien, P.C., M.P.
Langevin Block
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario KIA 0A2
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing as Chair of the Directing Group of the Retired Heads of Mission Association (RHOMA) to raise an issue that is vital to Canada’s economic and political place in the world, the continuing vigour and dynamism of Canada’s Foreign Service.
More than ever before, today’s foreign service officers serve Canada in a growing number of ways and in every corner of the world. They work the corridors of power in Washington as well as the streets of Kigali. They negotiate agreements on land mines, resolve refugee crises and pursue global business opportunities. They are our country’s front-line troops in conflict resolution and peace-building. Their families share in the burdens these officers face, often at considerable personal cost.
Over the past decade the dedication of the Foreign Service has been put severely to the test. Demand for services has continued to grow despite cuts to resources. There is also a deep concern among foreign service officers about the increasing salary gap between them and comparable groups in the Public Service including many working alongside them in their Departments. This point is vividly made in the front-page story of the February 26 Ottawa Citizen.
The Foreign Service attracts high-quality candidates. However, the failure to compensate and motivate these professionals adequately has led to a corrosive rate of attrition. An increasing number of officers are leaving. Many more will be driven to leave. For Canada, gaining or losing, whether in the political, economic, trade or cultural market place, is a function of competitive edge. Through neglect of our Foreign Service, we are beginning to lose that edge. As a nation we cannot afford such losses any more than we can afford them in health care or education.
The government prides itself on an enlightened approach to the new challenges of the information age. I would suggest, Prime Minister, that such an approach is sorely needed in dealing with the economic future of foreign service officers and their families. I would ask you to direct the President of the Treasury Board to seek a solution with the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers that will strengthen rather than diminish Canada’s Foreign Service.
I am sending copies of this letter to the Ministers concerned.
A. Douglas Small
Chair
RHOMA Directing Group
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 17, No. 1 (2000) — Spring 2000 // Printemps 2000, p. 12. Read the rest of this issue →
