Press Release
March 23, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"More time needed:" Public Service Financial Officers
OTTAWA - The Association of Canadian Financial Officers (ACFO) is encouraged by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's statement in front of public servants earlier today, but it believes that more time is needed to see what will actually happen once the Federal Accountability Act is in place.
"Although we are cautiously optimistic about what we heard today, we are eagerly awaiting the final printed version of the proposed Federal Accountability Act," says Milt Isaacs, Chair of ACFO. "And more importantly, we want to see how the Act gets implemented, and that the implementation meets the stated objectives."
ACFO welcomes the fact that the Prime Minister has openly acknowledged the professionalism of public servants and the huge tasks they face each day in ensuring the government is effective and fiscally responsible.
Isaacs says financial officers are especially encouraged by the Prime Minister's emphasis on merit-based promotions. "Public servants need to see that they can move up the career ladder through hard work and devotion without being skipped over in favour of appointees," says Isaacs.
Moreover, the Association hopes that the whistleblower-protection legislation mentioned by Mr. Harper today will also reinforce pride in public servants, including financial officers, who should be able to contribute to the accountability and openness of the public service without fear of retributions against their careers.
The Association looks forward to working with the new government to restore pride in the public service and provide good financial management.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact
:
Milt Isaacs, Chair, Association of Canadian Financial Officers - (613) 558-2949
The Association of Canadian Financial Officers represents the Financial Management Group (FI) of the Public Service of Canada. Its members are financial officers employed in 54 departments and agencies throughout government. Almost 3,000 financial professionals are members of ACFO, and most hold professional accounting designations or business degrees. Two-thirds of its members are located in the National Capital Region, with the balance in the regional organizations of departments.
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