 |
|
|
The POGG Golden Whistle Award Master Plaque |
The Golden Whistle Award is an annual award given by POGG (Peace, Order and Good Government), an Ottawa-based discussion group led by Harry Weldon. The award is sponsored by Canadians for Accountability and is awarded annually to an individual who has done a service to Canada in the pursuit of truth and accountability.
2012 Golden Whistle Award
2011 Golden Whistle Award
2010 Golden Whistle Award
2009 Golden Whistle Award
2008 Golden Whistle Award
2012 Award
 |
|
|
Brian Skakun |
2012 is the fifth year of the award. The recipient for this year was Mr. Brian Skakun of Prince George, British Columbia, where he is a recently reelected 10 year member of the municipal council. He made public a municipal internal report on the basis that “the public has a right to know… what was going on at City Hall.” In an unprecedented court case, Mr. Skakun was prosecuted under British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The precedent setting (and, we believe, erroneous) decision of the court was to extend the provisions of the Act to elected officials. Normally, such provisions only apply to “officers” – that is, unelected officials. This could have a serious impact on the ability of elected officials to call bureaucrats and others to account. The matter is now in the appeal process.
The awarding of the Golden Whistle Award recognizes Mr. Skakun’s integrity and resolve, despite the costs to him and his family.
Past Year Awards
2011 Award
 |
|
|
Left to right: Harry Weldon stands with Allan Cutler, Golden Whistle Award winner Sean Bruyea, and Sean’s wife, Carolina |
The recipient for 2011 was Sean Bruyea. Captain Sean Bruyea (Ret’d) is a veteran of the Gulf War and one of Canada’s leading advocates for the fair and just treatment of injured soldiers, veterans and their families. His exceptional efforts resulted in the creation of the position of Veteran’s Affairs Ombudsman and in improved treatment for our wounded veterans and for the families of those killed while fighting for Canada.
He was a vocal critic of the New Veterans Charter, which sacrifices lifelong benefits for wounded veterans in favour of a lump-sum payment to a maximum of $276,000. Internal Veterans Afairs communications and independent analysis have shown that this was a cynical move to save money at the expense of veterans, and that veterans wounded worst would be the most affected.
Sean’s advocacy came at a cost, however: Veterans Affairs officials, concerned about the effect Seans advocacy was having, instituted a series of reprisals against him. This included attempts to have him committed to a mental health facility, bogus psychological exams with pre-determined results, threats to end his veteran’s benefits and widespread and illegal dissemination of his medical records in an effort to discredit him.
A damning report by the Privacy Commissioner and public attention to his plight forced the government to issue an apology and reach a settlement with Sean. He continues to work for improved benefits for veterans, including a funadamental changes to the New Veterans Charter.
Captain Bruyea is being recognized by POGG and Canadians for Accountability this year for his courage in stepping up to defend veterans rights and exposing bureaucratic wrongdoing.
2010 Award
 |
|
|
Harry Weldon (left) stands with Golden Whistle Award winner Allan Cutler |
The 2010 Golden Whistle Award winner was Allan Cutler. He was a senior procurement manager at the federal government ministry Public Works and Government Services Canada when, in the mid-1990s, he noticed irregularities in the spending of sponsorship funds in Quebec. (The program was established as an effort to raise awareness of the Government of Canada’s contributions to Quebec industries and other activities in order to counter those working to promote Quebec independence.)
Allan reported these irregularities to his superiors, who at first ignored him. When he remained persistent, efforts were made to cover up the abuses and a campaign of reprisal against him was initiated. The problems eventually reached the public eye and became known as the Sponsorship Scandal or Adscam. Allan also testified to the Gomery Commission, which was launched in September 2004 and released its final report in February 2006.
The courage and conviction Allan showed in the face of harassment and retribution was instrumental in promoting calls for greater whistleblower protection. This ultimately led to the 2006 Accountability Act and the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.
You can find more information on his web site at http://ascutler.com/.
2009 Award
 |
|
|
Allan Cutler (left) and Carol Simpson (right) stand with Golden Whistle Award winner Bernard Payeur (centre) |
The 2009 award winner was Bernard Payeur. Bernard, working as a financial systems analyst in the Department of Foreign Affairs during the early 1980s, discovered that Foreign Affairs staff had defrauded the taxpayers of more than seven million dollars, and that the fraud had been going on for some time. He reported his findings to persons senior to him in the expectation that the fraud would be stopped and the guilty persons brought to justice. His allegations were shunted aside and he was subjected to severe reprisals, including his ultimate dismissal.
Bernard was a pioneer in Canadian whistleblowing. His actions demonstrated the integrity and honesty that Canadians desire and expect from their government and public service, and his strenuous and noble fight against government employee abuse of taxpayers’ money has inspired numerous others to stand up for what is right over the last 30 years.
We recommend that you read Bernard’s acceptance speech; it provides an excellent description of the kangaroo court process he faced when trying to fight reprisals:
PDF Version | RTF Version | Word Version
2008 Golden Whistle Award
 |
|
|
Allan Cutler (left) and Harry Weldon (right) stand with Golden Whistle Award winner Perry Dunlop (centre) |
The recipient for 2008 was Perry Dunlop, whose courageous actions in exposing the sexual abuse of minors in Cornwall, Ontario, cost him his reputation and his career. They also triggered the Cornwall Public Inquiry.
For a fuller description of the events and persons involved in the scandal, as well as Perry’s actions, please visit Sylvia MacEachern’s website. She also has a blog.
Read Perry Dunlop’s acceptance speech:
PDF Version | RTF Version | Word Version
Created: October 28, 2008
