Propaganda tactic backfires on 'Canada's new government'

Fired scientist reinstated after complaining about 'idiotic buzzwords coined by political hacks.'

Ottawa (21 Sept. 2006) - The Harper Conservatives have been forced to reinstate a senior scientist who was fired for objecting to an order to turn federal correspondence into political propaganda by injecting a mandatory reference praising "Canada's new government."

Andrew Okulitch of the Geological Survey of Canada was sacked after sending an e-mail to colleagues criticizing the directive. Calling it "ridiculous" and "embarrassing," Okulitch vowed to boycott the use of "idiotic buzzwords coined by political hacks."

Minutes after his message went out on Sept. 5, a superior in the natural resources ministry e-mailed Okulitch to inform him he was fired and to clear out his desk immediately.

The Salt Spring Island, B.C., man had completed a 35-year career as a senior scientist with the government. He was continuing to work without pay in an office provided (for up to three years) to employees in specialized fields, allowing them to complete work left unfinished at retirement.

Okulitch's sacking backfired on the government when it became public. The partisan directive clashed with the official Harper rhetoric of a new era in politics, and the 'new government' retreated.

Deputy minister Cassie Doyle called Okulitch at his home this week, inviting him to come back to work. However, he has been instructed to apologize for the tone of his e-mail.

Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn said the directive was never intended to apply to professional employees at the departmental level and should not have been issued. "Obviously there was a mistake," he said. NUPGE