05 August 2014
The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers deplores the government’s decision to, once again, nominate a non-diplomat to one of Canada’s ambassadorial positions. On Friday, August 1, drowned in a long list of re-appointments of Ambassadors, an information which was never a matter worthy of public announcement in the past, Minister Baird announced the nomination of former Deputy Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Mr. Dennis Savoie, as Canada’s Ambassador to the Vatican.
This is the third non-diplomatic appointment to an ambassadorial position this year – together with the nomination of lawyer and journalist Vivian Bercovici to Canada’s Embassy in Israel and Mr. James Villeneuve as Canada’s Consul in Los Angeles. It represents a third of all new diplomatic appointments since January. From PAFSO’s perspective this is a worrisome trend.
“The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers notes the appointment of Dennis Savoie as Ambassador to The Vatican and welcomes him to Canada’s Foreign Service. Despite PAFSO’s concerns with political nominees, our members will certainly be providing him with the same top-quality advice and support that we have offered our distinguished Ambassadors regardless of political stripe”, said Tim Hodges, PAFSO President.
“As PAFSO has said before, we believe the Canadian public is best served when the government draws first on the policy expertise, analytical and advocacy skills of its career diplomats when appointing heads of mission abroad. Not to mention the fact that these dedicated Public Servants are well versed in Treasury Board guidelines for the sound management of human and financial resources, something which political nominees may not fully appreciate prior to their appointment.
“Career diplomats are almost always the most qualified and experienced candidates for the job, having spent at least 20 years – and often much more – honing their craft. The Government of Canada will have invested years of training to perfect its Foreign Service – which is constituted of non-partisan civil servants whose only desire is to represent Canada abroad and defend Canada’s national interests. To then appoint non-diplomats amounts to a waste of resources and devalues the dedication Foreign Service Officers demonstrate throughout their careers.
“Mr. Savoie has interesting qualifications which intersects to an extent with an assignment at the Canadian mission to the Vatican. However, we will reserve judgement on the merits of this appointment. In the meantime, we wish the ambassador-designate success in his assignment”, concluded Mr. Hodges.