Realwomen of BC - Archives - February2006 - The Unsung Heroes of Canada's Public Service

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THE REAL NEWS The R.E.A.L WOMEN of BC Newsletter February 2006, P.O. Box 39068, Point Grey RPO, Vancouver, BC V6R 4P1, Tel/Fax: 604- 463-1611, website: http://www.realwomen.bc.ca
The Unsung Heroes of Canada's Public Service (By Chuck Strahl, MP November 7, 2005; reprinted with permission) Two years ago, few people had even heard of Judge Gomery, and even fewer could have predicted he would become a national folk hero (Jean Chretien and supporters notwithstanding) for his work in getting to the bottom of the Liberal Adscam. Like Auditor General Sheila Fraser, I even hear people recommending the dynamic duo be given the Order of Canada for their efforts, and you won't hear contrary arguments from me. There are two other people, though, who deserve recognition -not only for the quality of their character- but because it would be a small down payment for their services rendered to Canada, and for the personal price they paid for step by the Liberal establishment) won back his pay and benefit package. Whether his family will ever fully recover, I don't know. Mr. Cutler and Mr. Beaudoin had honesty and decency on their side, and it was wonderful in each case to see their principled actions eventually recognized. As Mr. Cutler says it's nice to be able to hold his head high again, even though neither he nor Beaudoin will ever likely fully recover emotionally from their experiences. If it were up to me, I would give both Cutler and Beaudoin the Order of Canada and then appoint them as ethics watchdogs over the actions of this or any future government. Canada owes them a debt of gratitude, and they remain 'unsung heroes' for personifying the integrity and honesty that should be synonymous with "public service".