Paul Donohue: July 25,1932 - March 20, 2013

To all TCS and Class of 62,

It is with great sadness we have to tell you that our father Paul Donohue passed away March 20, 2013 after being critically ill with several serious health issues.  He leaves behind his children, Shelagh Donohue, 54, Barbara Donohue, 52, and James Donohue, 45, mother of his children Shirley Robey Donohue, and his former wife and best friend Adelaida Carreras, 70.

Our father will be cremated in Florida and brought back to Canada for burial.  A memorial service will be arranged at a later date, yet to be determined. Obituary to follow in Canadian papers.  No flowers please. Donations may be sent directly to Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association, Kidney Foundation,  or Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

We'll be back in Canada in the next week or so.

Regards,
Shelagh Donohue
2645 Constable Rd.
Mississauga, ON   L5J 1W3
Tel. 
Mobile: 
Email: 

Diplomatic Appointment

March 15, 2013 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced the following diplomatic appointment:

Judith St. George becomes High Commissioner in Malaysia.

Job opening: Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod

NOTICE OF VACANCY

SENATE OF CANADA

Usher of the Black Rod (full-time position)

Salary Range:   $96,000 - $112,900
Location:          National Capital Region

The ancient origins of this office date back to the appointment of the first Gentleman Usher of the
Black Rod in England by King Edward III in 1348.  In terms of the Canadian context, the office
dates from the appointment of the first Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to the Legislative
Council of Lower Canada in 1791.  The Usher of the Black Rod fills the third longest continuously
held state office in Canada (following the Sovereign and the Governor General). In keeping with
the Westminster Parliamentary tradition, the Usher of the Black Rod discharges his or her duties as
personal attendant of Her Majesty the Queen and, in her absence, her representative (the
Governor General or his deputy) when they enter the Parliament Buildings.

The Usher of the Black Rod is the most senior protocol officer in the Parliament of Canada.  From
a ceremonial point of view, he or she leads the daily Speaker’s Parade to and from the Chamber
and directs all logistical, protocol and administrative details relating to official Parliament of Canada
ceremonies (e.g. opening of Parliament, Speech from the Throne, Royal Assent).  In this regard,
the Usher of the Black Rod directs an internal parliamentary committee, inclusive of security,
communications, protocol, logistical and other officials, from both chambers.  The Usher of the
Black Rod is also responsible for Senate ceremonies (e.g. swearing-in ceremonies for
newly-appointed Senators) as well as the organization and delivery of a number of other
ceremonies that are held on an annual basis in the Senate Chamber (e.g. Memorial Service for
Former Parliamentarians, Launch of Veterans’ Week).  The User of the Black Rod also plays a
prominent role in other events held in the Senate Chamber such as the installation of Governors
General and lyings-in-state.  He or she is, therefore, ultimately responsible for the effective
execution of the ceremonial functions of the Senate of Canada.

The Usher of the Black Rod is responsible for security in the Senate Chamber.  Under the direction
of the Speaker, he or she is called upon to find resolution to issues that may arise and works
closely with the Senate Protective Service.  The Usher of the Black Rod carries responsibility for all
facets of the Senate Page Program – from recruitment to selection to daily operations.  The Usher
of the Black Rod is a member of the Senate Management Committee.

The successful candidate should possess a degree from a recognized university or an acceptable
combination of education, job-related training and/or experience. He or she would have experience
in managing projects and staff as well as demonstrated success coordinating protocol, logistics and
administration for ceremonial events and programs.  Experience dealing with parliamentarians
would be considered an asset.

The qualified candidate would have a good understanding of the legal, historical and cultural conditions of parliamentary institutions in Canada and abroad.  Knowledge of the Canadian
parliamentary system, the legislative process and the constitutional mandate of the Senate is
essential.  The chosen candidate would also be knowledgeable of ceremonies that are part of
Canada’s parliamentary heritage.  Knowledge of the current political agenda, current legislative
initiatives and current domestic issues would be considered an asset.  Knowledge of current
security issues, both domestic and international, as well as remedial approaches and applications
for resolution, would also be considered an asset.

The ideal candidate should be an engaging team builder with high ethical standards and integrity,
sound judgement, flexibility and effective communication skills, in writing and orally.  Furthermore,
he or she should be service-oriented, objective, impartial and fair, and have the capacity to mentor
staff and manage projects and special events.  The ability to listen to various stakeholders’ needs
to identify and analyse sensitive issues, give sound advice and propose effective recommendations
is required.  Finally, the suitable candidate must be able to develop and maintain effective relations
with parliamentarians, Senate Administration staff as well as government executives and foreign
representatives and dignitaries.

Proficiency in both official languages is essential.

The successful candidate must reside in or be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region or
to a location within reasonable commuting distance.
 
The Government is committed to ensuring that its appointments are representative of Canada’s
regions and official languages, as well as of women, Aboriginal peoples, disabled persons and
visible minorities.

The preferred candidate must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public
Office Holders. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments Web site,
under "Reference Material" at www.appointments-nominations.gc.ca.

This notice has been placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying
qualified candidates for this position.  It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of
recruitment.

Further details about the Usher of the Black Rod and the roles and responsibilities of the position
can be found on the Senate of Canada Web site at http://sen.parl.gc.ca/portal/usher-e.htm.

Interested candidates should forward their curriculum vitae by April 8, 2013, to the Assistant
Secretary to the Cabinet (Senior Personnel), Privy Council Office, 59 Sparks Street, 1 st  Floor,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A3, 613-957-5006 (facsimile), GICA-NGEC@pco-bcp.gc.ca (email).

English and French notices of vacancies will be produced in an alternative format (audio cassette,
diskette, Braille, large print, etc.) upon request.  For further information, please contact Publishing
and Depository Services, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0S5, 613-941-5995 or 1-800-635-7943.

see also: this link

Big Brother

What took them so long? Or, why now? A Review Board has been established to support and foster a workplace that demonstrates the values and expected behaviours outlined in the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, the new DFAIT Values and Ethics Code, as well as the Code of Conduct for Canadian Representatives Abroad.

New Dip Appointments

Diplomatic Appointments

February 15, 2013 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

Richard Bale becomes Consul General in Mumbai (Republic of India).

Stéphane Larue becomes Consul General in São Paulo (Federative Republic of Brazil).

David Sproule becomes Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway.

Twitter Praise

Jason Kenney (@kenneyjason)

2013-01-13 2:47

Canada is very fortunate to have diplomats the calibre of High Commissioner to India Stewart Beck & Chandigarh Consul General Scott Slessor.

Bill Van: RIP

Notice from RHOMA on the passing of Bill Van, Trade Commissioner.

RHOMA members will be saddened to learn of the death of Bill Van on January 11, 2013; note, visitation in Ottawa on Monday, January 14.  Les membres de l'ACMAR seront triste d'apprendre la mort do Bill Van le 11 janvier 2013, à noter: la visitation a lieu lundi le 14 janvier.  Please see obituary below from the Ottawa Citizen; voir la nécrologie si-dessous.

William VAN

VAN, William "Bill" Ross
September 18, 1921 - January 11, 2013
Loving husband of the late Gwendolyn Edith Hope (nee Weary).   Father to Bryan and Peter and predeceased by son Robin and daughter Heather. Uncle to Dr. John Lundon. Proud             Grandfather to Christopher, Justin, Brogan, Ashley, Spencer,     Tommy, Vanessa and Jessica.

Born and raised in Quebec City, Bill attended Bishops University in Sherbrooke,           Quebec where he met his wife Gwen. He then served with the Royal Canadian Navy  overseas during the Second World War. Upon his return he attended McGill University           to study law where he was then recruited by the Diplomatic Service. Over the span of 37 years he and his family lived in Columbia, Cuba, Italy, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Ireland,        England, the U.S. and Argentina, finishing his career as Consul General in Buffalo, N.Y.
Dad will be missed as a source of strength, and loving father, especially to his    grandchildren, with whom he always kept in touch. Thank you to Dr.'s Gottman and      Leblanc and all the nursing and support staff at the Montfort Hospital for their attentive      and compassionate care.
A visitation will be held on Monday, January 14, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Garden Chapel           of Tubman Funeral Homes, 3440 Richmond Road (Between Baseline and Bayshore)   followed by a memorial service in the chapel at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations            to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. Donations, Condolences and   Tributes may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com