CANADA
The Canadian Government is pressing for more Public Servants to be nominated for honours.
The country’s top bureaucrat, Clerk of the Privy Council, Michael Wernick has pressed all Federal Departments to submit the names of at least five of their employees each year to the Governor-General’s Office for various awards.
“We encourage you to task the senior managers responsible for employee recognition within your Department to begin nominating at least five Public Servants per year for Canadian honours,” a letter co-signed by Mr Wernick and then Secretary to the Governor-General, Stephen Wallace said.
That letter was followed up by the Governor-General’s Office to ensure Departments were cooperating.
“We look forward to hearing about your Department’s strategy to recognise deserving individuals in your Department whose achievements, contributions or accomplishments have made a difference or have had a positive impact on your organisation,” an email from Administrative Officer with the Chancellery of Honours, Sylvie Barsalou said.
The initiatives, which have been revealed under Freedom of Information provisions, were apparently triggered by an internal assessment that concluded PS employees historically have been underrepresented within the Canadian Honours System, which includes a broad range of medals and decorations.
A spokesperson for the Governor-General cited statistics for the Order of Canada — one of the highest of Canadian honours — to support the claim that PS employees were underrepresented.
“Between 1976 and 2018, people whose contributions were considered ‘Public Service’ made up, on average, 2.4 per cent of annual appointments to the Order of Canada,” the spokesperson said.
“Over this time period, Public Servants comprised an average of 5.9 per cent of Canada’s employed labour force each year.”
Ottawa, 23 January 2019
