bout de papier, Vol. 4, No. 3 (1986) — Fall 1986 // Automne 1986, pp. 5–6
Editor, bout de papier
Oh, what a lovely bunch. Honest, loyal, hard working, rational, a pool of real talent, enough to guide the destiny of many nations, I’m sure. Comforting thoughts which bring a warm glow of satisfaction over us all as we revel (modestly, mind you) in our quiet competence.
So, who cares? Treasury Board has taken scant notice unless forced by outside pressures like the Royal Commission report. Did the Simard/Hockin Committee consider that the PAFSO brief had a place in the Foreign Policy Review? (We did get a paragraph of mild recognition.) Is anybody listening out there? I know for a fact there are people out there in Canada as I have actually received calls originating beyond the government telephone exchange. On occasion I have even wondered if these callers knew they were speaking not with a mere faceless grey public servant but a faceless grey member of Canada’s Foreign Service.
In Ontario we have witnessed the phenomenon of watching the medical doctors suffer a massive defeat at the hands of public opinion. There are rumours that dentists may be the next target group. I somehow doubt they will rest on professional pride as the doctors did, but will learn from that mistake and take the campaign to the people well in advance of any confrontation. We, too, have our professional concerns and there is always the chance that a day could arrive when changing conditions of service and the ever increasing demands will reach a critical stage.
What then? Do we have a knowledgeable and sympathetic constituency among Canadians which would provide any form of support? The work of our trade commissioners is known to a limited group of Canadian exporters and other business people. Beyond this I could not count on an informed body of opinion on the work of the service.
PAFSO has advised that our magazine is circulated on a complimentary basis to about 20 Canadian universities, a number of parliamentarians and to former members of the association. There are only 40 subscriptions purchased directly, principally by students interested in the service and others with foreign policy interest. As the sole tool for public communication presently in use, we are not reaching a wide audience but quite possibly an interested one.
This circulation outside the membership could be expanded with some carefully prepared and timed advertising in three or four major newspapers emphasizing that the bout de papier contains informed opinion, observations from the inside on events past and present, anecdotes, analysis of issues, etc… all drawn from persons of broad international experience. The magazine does contain an expanding range of content. This trend has shown increasingly over the past number of issues which have been developed well beyond purely internal professional concerns and departmental news. In theory, as the content variety grows, so should the potential audience.
Another small but potentially significant gesture would be to make the magazine available at the kiosk in the Pearson Building. We have seen the growing numbers of individuals and groups passing through the building for meetings, tours or only to eat in our cafeteria. The bout de papier is directly reflective of the lives of the people working in the building, and the actions developed by Canada in managing and advancing our international relations take place here. The Pearson Building is the hub of a vast network and most of our visitors know this to a greater or lesser degree. Having a magazine readily on hand which deals with the Foreign Service, its life, work and concerns may be a tempting proposition for those who visit us.
Whatever image we may have or not have was definitely affected through the clout provided by “Wife Of”. Since then a few colleagues have become concerned enough to vocalize sentiments of fatigue over being stereotyped as pampered, self-indulgent sycophants. I have heard suggestions which range from hiring a PR agency to enlisting the SSEA to speak publicly.
Every suggestion held some merit but also some risk of misinterpretation. A start could be made in airing the message of the services provided to our citizens abroad by our consular staff and of the great burden carried by social affairs staff in reuniting families divided by continents and political obstacles. We could solicit the support of our Media Relations and Domestic Communications Divisions to exhort its contacts into providing some exposure. Publicizing the real work of the service would stand in stark contrast to journalistic musings over the table seating plans and the intricacies of invitation cards.
I recall as a teenager, a guest in our home who was a secretary in the Brazilian Foreign Service. She was both charming and exuberant. No slouch at public relations, she had quite an impact on a sizeable group of people in our small town over the short space of a two week visit. She left an impression with me of the nomadic diplomatic life, hard work, loneliness, separation from family and friends, but also rewards and personal growth. The events are not directly connected but my hometown spawned one and only one ambassador, yet a street was named in his honour. Perhaps we had developed a sensitivity to the Foreign Service and its contribution to Canada and Canadians. If so, it was not born in a void.
There is also room for some exposure on one or more of our national tele-docu mentary shows such as the Journal, W-5 or Fifth Estate. A letter from PAFSO would start this process. I believe the subject of foreign service spouses was aired on Canada A.M. a couple of years back but I’ve seen nothing related since then.
My purpose has been to provoke a little thought on the subject of our image. There is also the matter of how the question would be perceived by the membership. Opinion may be divided, especially as questions of image and image-making have not had a tradition of priority. This is not at all unusual in an occupation such as ours since our “product” is not competitive in the usual sense of the word. Nor is our contribution yet perceived as vital. All this can change as it did some years ago with the Air Traffic Controllers. For decades they had to strike to be noticed. While their tactics bordered on the extreme, they eventually won over the public to the point that they no longer have to negotiate from weakness. Should we not consider making a start, ourselves? A little good will in the bank could serve us well in the future.
J.D. Gardner
Is A Aalto too easy?
Editor, bout de papier
I wish to voice my complaint about certain aspects of your publication. To begin, it is too often flippant and impertinent in tone. Your editor should exercise restraint or be given the sack. We have been appalled at the choice of captions in the photo contest, in particular the one which cast aspersions on the character of former Prime Minister Trudeau (q.v. “I never could resist a man in uniform”). Who are your judges? Prepubescent school boys? Regardless of Mr. Trudeau’s politics, or other proclivities, bac taste is bad taste. This fellow A Aalto – he is losing his grip and needs a holiday or replacement. His creations are no longer difficult. Moto, our gardener, reports that Mrs. Moto finds Wheel of Fortune more of a challenge. And this creature Pagan Haigh —does he even view the films he reviews? TIl stick with Halliwell. This Pardy person — what is she about? Complain, complain…in my day we considered it an honour to serve in Her Majesty’s Canadian Foreign Service. Sidney and Alfred Pick’s pieces are at least literate. Why not a column on what the well-dressed young foreign service officer is wearing? I was shocked to see some of the costumes sported by those masquerading as foreign service officers when I was last in Ottawa. Sloppiness in dress is the first sign of moral decay. I think you could also benefit from some advice on wine and grand cru. Poor Bertie was forced to visit his physician after consuming the dreadful plonk he was served at a recent state function on the Ninth floor.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant, T. Kenelm Fortesque Amb.(ret.) General Secretary Victoria Union and Conservative Club
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 4, No. 3 (1986) — Fall 1986 // Automne 1986, pp. 5–6. Read the rest of this issue →
