Hypocrisy - Breaking the bonds of trust

 

Daniel Elliot was a senior finance officer for the Government of Canada who not only dedicated his life to serving the people as a former soldier and career public servant, but also as an emergency service volunteer in the community. From ensuring prudent spending, to saving lives, Daniel was a hero in disguise.

 Unfortunately, Daniel’s service to Canadians came to an end when he was faced with a group of senior bureaucrats who had difficulty adhering to the laws they had sworn to uphold, and despite politicians boasting protections for professionals who challenged these situations, Daniel was on his own.

 This is a story of a former soldier and dedicated public servant, who is driven from both his career and home by the ones he was sworn to serve.

From the Author:

Like many youngsters, my dream was to grow up and serve in an emergency services occupation such as the police or fire service. I did join the military, but my career was cut short after five years due to an illness which prevented me from continuing with that organization. I did however serve my community for sixteen years as a volunteer firefighter and search and rescue member.

 After leaving the military I entered the accounting profession as I needed an occupation which was marketable, not reliant on a specific industry, and compatible with my medical limitations. After years of study and practical experience, I earned a diploma, degree and professional accounting designation.

 I returned to the Canadian Government first as a taxation auditor with the Canada Revenue Agency, then as a finance officer with the Correctional Service of Canada.

Unfortunately, I encountered challenges in my final years with Corrections as I fought with the bureaucracy of an executive group who had difficulty with adherence to the law and policies governing federal government financial management. Due to the conflict with my personal and professional code of ethics, I felt the only viable option was to report the activities, then leave my twenty-four-year federal government career behind.

 Despite the Government of Canada boasting protections for public servants placed in situations such as mine, there was no support from the political or senior bureaucratic levels when requested. In fact, it became evident these so-called protections were only a smoke and mirrors show for the public, intended to overshadow previous scandals.

 This story depicts my life as a career public servant, and the events which not only led to my departure, but years of medical challenges including a heart attack and stroke.