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Re: "A plan to muzzle the RCMP?" (May 15, 2008)
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Lawrence Martin suggested that my use of the title Assistant Deputy Minister in relation to the senior executive communications position the RCMP intends to establish deserves an explanation and the consideration of additional facts. I agree.
As Mr. Martin knows, a written explanation was provided to our employees prior to the publication of his column. I acknowledged that the title was not an appropriate one for a position within the RCMP and confirmed there was never any intention for the position to be under the authority or direction of anyone other than the RCMP. This honest but unfortunate mistake was also acknowledged in my discussions with employees and with the RCMP Reform Implementation Council immediately after my April 25, 2008 announcement.
I intended to refer to a senior level position reporting directly to me as Commissioner to reflect the increased emphasis I believe the RCMP needs to place on both internal and public communications and on related issues, including access to information. Creating this position is an initiative of the RCMP and the RCMP alone.
There has been no about-face, remarkable or otherwise, as Mr. Martin has suggested. Only a simple misuse of a title familiar to me as a former public servant, and a subsequent correction. Mr. Martin’s alternate explanation is not reflective of the facts.
William J.S. Elliott
Commissioner
