Macadam fighting to keep ACOA job
Former P. E. I. cabinet minister files for review of public service commission decision
A former provincial cabinet minister who was also once an aide to Defence Minister Peter MacKay is now fighting to keep his management job with ACOA.
Kevin MacAdam has filed for a judicial review of a decision by the Public Service Commission of Canada ( PSC) to have his appointment as director general of operations for ACOA P. E. I. revoked.
This stems from an investigation launched by the PSC in March 2011 after the Atlantic Liberal caucus sent a letter of complaint to the commission expressing concern over MacAdam’s appointment, given his political ties to the Conservative Party and MacKay.
The commission delivered its decision in August. It found that although there was no political interference in MacAdam’s appointment, nor did MacAdam’s actions constitute any wrongdoing, it did say there was ‘ improper conduct’ on the part of other senior managers at the agency that affected MacAdam selection for the job.
Two of those senior managers have also filed for a judicial review of the PSC decision, including another key player in the former Pat Binns Tory administration.
Pat Dorsey, a senior policy adviser to Binns who now works in ACOA’s Charlottetown office, and Kent Estabrooks, acting director general for policy at the agency, claim the commission made ‘ erroneous findings’ and erred in law in stating they acted improperly when handling MacAdam’s appointment.
Estabrooks, who is based in Moncton, was ordered to take two training courses in staffing and ethics and was stripped of his ability to handle future appointments for three
years. He is appealing this ruling as part of his application for judicial review.
It is not known whether Dorsey has faced similar penalties.
The Public Service Commission declined to comment on the matter, as it is the before the courts.
Richard Gauthier, coordinator for Parliamentary affairs and media relations for ACOA, said the agency is co- operating with the PSC on its investigation and with the judicial review process.
He said MacAdam was hired after an open application process.
“Mr. Kevin MacAdam participated in an external staffing process for the position of Director General of Regional Operations in ACOA’s P. E. I. office,” Gauthier said.
“This staffing process was open to all Canadian citizens.”
MacAdam was appointed to the level EX- 2 management position at ACOA Feb. 7, 2011, at a salary of up to $ 135,000 a year.
He faced criticism for the appointment at that time after it was revealed he would spend up to two years in his new job learning to speak French.
Gauthier says MacAdam’s post is a “non-imperative bilingual position”
In his application for judicial review, MacAdam claims the commission ‘ made a number of factual errors’ and that its decision to revoke his appointment is ‘ unreasonable and would cause him ‘ irreparable harm.’
“His removal from the position will cause serious hardship to him that cannot be compensated through damages,” court documents state.
MacAdam is asking for a stay of this decision to allow him to remain in his post.