The head of the federal public service has praised the work of a civil servant charged with contempt of Parliament, says Blacklock’s Reporter..Janice Charette, the $343,000-a year head of the federal public service praised Iain Stewart, the head of the Public Health Agency, who this week became the first civil servant cited for contempt since 1891..“Appearing before Parliament is part of our duties as public servants,” Charette wrote in a staff email..Stewart, $321,000-a year president of the PHA, on June 21 was cited for contempt in person on the floor of the House after he defied four separate orders to disclose records over security clearance given Chinese scientists at an Agency bio lab in Winnipeg..He did not apologize and was not asked to speak..Charette, the interim Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to Cabinet, called the censure “a difficult situation,” “a very unusual situation,” and defended Stewart as “one of our colleagues” and an example to all..“The situation was extremely challenging and I am particularly concerned by the personal nature of the commentary in relation to Iain’s actions,” wrote Charette, adding: “He acted in a way that represents public service values and ethics.”.“Iain demonstrated exemplary professionalism..“I believe Iain’s treatment has been unfair and regrettable.”.The censure for contempt did not result in any penalty or loss of benefits..“I am grateful for his leadership,” Charette added..Stewart in June 18 testimony at the Commons health committee said he was worried about “immunity” if he were to disclose records..“So you’re worried about immunity?” replied New Democrat MP Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway)..“Is that what this is about, Mr. Stewart, your own hide?”.MPs at a March 22 hearing of the Special Commons Committee on Canada-China Relations expressed anger over Stewart’s refusal to answer questions..“I’m not really at liberty to talk about that, sir,” said Stewart..“What do you mean, you’re ‘not at liberty’ to talk about that? You’re in a parliamentary committee here,” replied Bloc Québécois MP Stéphane Bergeron (Montarville, Que.)..“Mr. Stewart, has there ever been a case where any government lab has fired scientists as a result of security breaches?” asked Conservative MP Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.)..“That’s a very difficult question to answer,” replied Stewart..“Well, I’m glad you have a bloody senior office in this country where you’re supposed to account to parliamentarians and the Canadian people,” said MP Genuis..“Now answer the damn question.”.RCMP earlier raided the Public Health Agency’s National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg and seized computer hard drives after security clearance was revoked for several Chinese employees, including one affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army. Two others, husband and wife Keding Chang and Xiangguo Qiu, were fired January 20 in what cabinet now calls a case of national security..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
The head of the federal public service has praised the work of a civil servant charged with contempt of Parliament, says Blacklock’s Reporter..Janice Charette, the $343,000-a year head of the federal public service praised Iain Stewart, the head of the Public Health Agency, who this week became the first civil servant cited for contempt since 1891..“Appearing before Parliament is part of our duties as public servants,” Charette wrote in a staff email..Stewart, $321,000-a year president of the PHA, on June 21 was cited for contempt in person on the floor of the House after he defied four separate orders to disclose records over security clearance given Chinese scientists at an Agency bio lab in Winnipeg..He did not apologize and was not asked to speak..Charette, the interim Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to Cabinet, called the censure “a difficult situation,” “a very unusual situation,” and defended Stewart as “one of our colleagues” and an example to all..“The situation was extremely challenging and I am particularly concerned by the personal nature of the commentary in relation to Iain’s actions,” wrote Charette, adding: “He acted in a way that represents public service values and ethics.”.“Iain demonstrated exemplary professionalism..“I believe Iain’s treatment has been unfair and regrettable.”.The censure for contempt did not result in any penalty or loss of benefits..“I am grateful for his leadership,” Charette added..Stewart in June 18 testimony at the Commons health committee said he was worried about “immunity” if he were to disclose records..“So you’re worried about immunity?” replied New Democrat MP Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway)..“Is that what this is about, Mr. Stewart, your own hide?”.MPs at a March 22 hearing of the Special Commons Committee on Canada-China Relations expressed anger over Stewart’s refusal to answer questions..“I’m not really at liberty to talk about that, sir,” said Stewart..“What do you mean, you’re ‘not at liberty’ to talk about that? You’re in a parliamentary committee here,” replied Bloc Québécois MP Stéphane Bergeron (Montarville, Que.)..“Mr. Stewart, has there ever been a case where any government lab has fired scientists as a result of security breaches?” asked Conservative MP Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.)..“That’s a very difficult question to answer,” replied Stewart..“Well, I’m glad you have a bloody senior office in this country where you’re supposed to account to parliamentarians and the Canadian people,” said MP Genuis..“Now answer the damn question.”.RCMP earlier raided the Public Health Agency’s National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg and seized computer hard drives after security clearance was revoked for several Chinese employees, including one affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army. Two others, husband and wife Keding Chang and Xiangguo Qiu, were fired January 20 in what cabinet now calls a case of national security..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
