Harper thanks public service in farewell note
Outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s message of thanks to the federal public service Tuesday sparked a withering response from two big unions — a measure of just how fractious the relationship between the Conservatives and the bureaucracy had become by the time of the election last month.
Harper’s letter, sent to public servants through their deputy ministers on his last day in office, made no mention of the tensions that sometimes marked his dealings with government workers.
“Over the last nine years my team and I have worked very closely with the Public Service of Canada to improve the prosperity, security and well- being of Canadians and improve Canada’s position in the world,” he wrote.
“I am very proud of the remarkable work we have accomplished together towards meeting these objectives. I would like to thank each and every one of you for the support you have shown my team and me over three successive parliaments and for the dedication you have demonstrated in delivering for Canadians.
“It has been an honour to serve as Prime Minister of the greatest country in the world and I will always be grateful for the support of Canada’s world- class public service.”
Barely had Harper’s message become public when the Public Service Alliance of Canada responded.
“The work that public service workers do on behalf of Canadians day in and day out is invaluable,” said a statement from PSAC national president Robyn Benson. “It is unfortunate that the Conservative government was not able to recognize the important contribution of public service workers during their mandate.
“We look forward to building a positive and constructive relationship with the new Liberal government where trust and respect for public service workers is restored”
Debi Daviau president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada ( PIPSC), greeted Harper’s note by saying, “We are, of course, very glad that Prime Minister Harper has at last recognized the true value of the public service.
“It’s unfortunate that it took this long.”
The unions, angry over the Conservative government’s plan for a major overhaul of public servants’ sick leave, campaigned against the Tories. Their actions ranged from rallies and get- out- the- vote initiatives to individual calls for action, such as the viral video Harperman, created by former public servant and songwriter Tony Turner.
Turner, a federal scientist suspended by Environment Canada for performing the political protest song, retired during the campaign so he could keep singing Harperman prior to the Oct. 19 vote.
A record number of public servants sought permission to throw their hat into the ring for this election. The Public Service Commission gave 35 public servants permission to run. At least two won their ridings — as Liberals.
Tense and protracted contract talks were among many sore points between the government and its bureaucrats. During Harper’s tenure, public servants complained of a Prime Minister’s Office that they said was too controlling, “muzzled” experts and forced government workers into partisan action.
Some experts are now questioning whether a public service so at odds with the Harper team will be able to adapt to the demands — and perhaps a different culture – of the new Liberal government.
Harper was to officially resign Wednesday just before Justin Trudeau’s swearing- in as Liberal prime minister.