bout de papier, Vol. 5, No. 1 (1987) — Spring 1987 // Printemps 1987, p. 35
Press Release — February 20, 1987
In noting the appointment of Pierrette Lucas as Consul General to Boston, the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) protests, once again, the use of diplomatic assignments as a source of patronage.
The Lucas appointment is noteworthy on two counts. It marks the sixteenth occasion on which the Mulroney Government, during its two and a half years in office, has made political appointments to the Canadian Foreign Service. This is as many appointments as the Trudeau Government made during its sixteen years in office. As we have noted before, no other Government since Confederation has made as many political appointments to the Foreign Service during its first term of office. (Mackenzie King appointed the most, eighteen, but this was over a period of twenty-two years).
Second, Ms. Lucas is the only Head of Post to be given a similar assignment in the wake of the closure of seven Canadian posts last December as an austerity move. (As Consul General in Philadelphia, an appointment she had held since December 1985, her position had been declared redundant with the closing of Philadelphia). The rest of these Heads of post, unlike Ms. Lucas, were all career foreign service officers, and they have been recalled to Ottawa or reassigned to more junior positions than which they held.
These individuals have served Canada for an average of 20 years. They earned their appointments through demonstrated professionalism and suitability for the foreign service over many years. For foreign service officers an assignment is a vital step in a career to which they have dedicated their working lives and those of their families.
PAFSO believes it unfair and damaging to the high professional standards of the Canadian foreign service for these officers to be shunted aside to make room for persons whose main claim to appointment is political affiliation or friendship with those holding political power.
PAFSO acknowledges that there will be occasions when the government will want to draw upon individuals of outstanding ability and solid reputations for specific assignments of particular importance. The current number of amateur diplomats appointed to replace professionals in the career of their choice and training is unprecedented. Fully 20% of Mulroney diplomatic appointments have gone to non-careerists. Among our principal partners in the western alliance, only the US makes more political nominations to diplomatic posts. This is a break with Canadian tradition. Until now, such appointments accounted for less than 5% of the total made during each parliament.
This situation undermines the merit principle which is fundamental to a non-partisan and effective foreign service. The merit principle, on which our public service is based, was adopted in 1919 to stop patronage and thus to improve the quality and efficiency of government services provided to the people. The Special Joint Parliamentary Committee on Canada’s International Relations, which made its report last June, concluded that a “highly professional” career foreign service was a “valuable national asset, strengthening Canada’s hand in international dealings.”
We have written to the Prime Minister on various occasions reminding him of his promise, in a letter dated October 2nd, 1984 that “the standard of professionalism so characteristic of our foreign service will be maintained by my Government and reflected in the diplomatic appointments we will be making.” PAFSO believes this promise has been breached.
Over the years, Canada’s foreign service has earned a reputation for excellence. Within the Foreign Service are many talented men and women. They come from all parts of Canada and have dedicated their careers to serving Canada’s interests abroad. The national interest is not furthered by using foreign service assignments as a political reward. Canada’s international reputation is most effectively enhanced by experienced and professional representation.
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 5, No. 1 (1987) — Spring 1987 // Printemps 1987, p. 35. Read the rest of this issue →
