Fired Environment Commissioner Johanne Gelinas just released a statement. It’s a doozy. In it, she admits that she and here boss, Auditor General Sheila Fraser, were not seeing eye-to-eye on the nature of her job but Gelinas certainly didn’t expect to be dumped. Fraser will get a grilling tomorrow on this from the Commons Environment Committee.
Here is Gelinas’ statement:
Statement by Johanne Gelinas
In reaction to today's announcement by the Auditor General of Canada
OTTAWA, January 30, 2007 – Going back a year ago, there has been a difference of opinion between the Auditor General of Canada and myself, on the orientation that should be given to the position of Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. The discussions were in private with no interference whatsoever from the Government of Canada and its representatives.
In the last while, our discussions also centered on whether or not I should continue to hold the position of Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. I was considering a future departure, but today's announcement from Mrs. Fraser was premature and came as a complete surprise to me.
I wish to state at this time that it has been an honour and a privilege to serve Canadians, through Parliament, in my role as Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. I intend to continue to be dedicated to environmental and sustainable development issues.