Angry in the Great White North

One of David Marshall's employees was Frank Brazeau, the bureaucrat let go over the Abotech affair. As I've suggested, I wonder if Frank Brazeau was being used as cover in order to protect the business and personal reputation of Liberal MP David Smith, representing the riding of Pontiac.

As it is, Frank Brazeau is a legitimate aboriginal (unlike David Smith).

So if David Marshall wants to find a way to increase the number of aboriginals in PWGSC without resorting to hiring quotas that have the effect of diminishing the perceived qualifications of all those hired under that quota system, he can start by revealing all that is known about the Abotech affair, and if Frank Brazeau is being unfairly targeted, restore his position.

There! PWGSC is up by one.

Frank Brazeau might aid his cause by coming forward with what he knows. One way to combat the demeaning effect of favouritism is to stop hiding behind it. He could stand up as an example of individual integrity that has nothing to do with being an aboriginal or disabled or whatever.

Regardless of his share in the fault in this matter, coming forward can only help clear the air at PWGSC, and show that at least this one quota-driven hire was a good one, in the end.

As it is, his story just reinforces the negativity that grows from these quotas:

"It's even creating more frustration or anger from the workforce as well as from the population ... I am quite sure the people they hire will be competent and good employees, but that is not the point here. They will be seen as targets, and then people will question their hiring, and I don't think it will help them." [Nycole Turmel, president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada]