The Government of the Canadian Province of New Brunswick is standing firm on its controversial decision to appoint a head of the Provincial Library Service who has no library experience.
Former Executive Director of the Service, Sylvie Nadeau said she was extremely disappointed that Premier, Blaine Higgs had decided not to look into what led to Kevin Cormier (pictured) being put in charge of the Province’s 64 public libraries.
“It remains incomprehensible and unacceptable to me that the Government of New Brunswick considers it is acceptable to appoint people without the officially approved qualifications … as long as it can claim the legality of the appointment through a loophole such as the Corporate Talent Management Program (CTMP),” Ms Nadeau said.
“This is indeed very sad and disturbing. As a citizen I expect much better from my Government. I expect a fair, honest and transparent Government,” she said.
Mr Cormier was appointed in February through the CTMP, which provides current and aspiring executives in the upper pay bands of Government with opportunities to further develop their competencies within or outside their current Department.
Ms Nadeau said the approved description of the job, that pays up to nearly $C114,000 ($A124,600) a year, states the minimum requirements are a master’s degree of library and/or information studies, with nine years of progressive experience, including management and supervision of library operation.
“Knowledge of large network library system is essential,” the description says.
Mr Cormier’s LinkedIn profile lists his education as a single year at York University’s Schulich School of Business in Toronto in 2005 and two years at the Moncton Flight College, from 1998 to 2000.
Fredericton, 26 May 2020
