PC Number: 2004-0159

Date: 2004-03-05

                     Whereas, from June 11, 1997 to January 14, 2002, the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, P.C., served as Minister of Public Works and Government Services;

                     Whereas, by Order in Council P.C. 2002-7 of January 15, 2002, the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, P.C., was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the Kingdom of Denmark;

                     Whereas, pursuant to subsection 23(1) of the Interpretation Act, the appointment is deemed to have been during pleasure;

                     Whereas on February 10, 2004, the November 2003 Report of the Auditor General was tabled in the House of Commons, and Chapter 3 of that Report states that, between 1997 and August 31, 2001, the sponsorship program of the Department of Public Works and Government Services was run “in a way that showed little regard for Parliament, the Financial Administration Act, contracting rules and regulations, transparency, and value for money”;

                     Whereas on February 10, 2004, pursuant to Posting Confirmation Amendment 45385, the assignment of the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, P.C., to Denmark was terminated;

                     Whereas on February 19, 2004, the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, P.C., was informed by the Government of Canada of a concern that, in light of the November 2003 Report of the Auditor General, he was no longer a suitable diplomatic representative, and was invited to make submissions;

                     Whereas on February 25, 2004, the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, P.C., made submissions in response to the November 2003 Report of the Auditor General;

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                     And whereas the Governor in Council, having considered Chapter 3 of the November 2003 Report of the Auditor General and the submissions received from the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, P.C., on February 25, 2004,

(a) has lost confidence in the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, P.C., as a diplomatic representative for Canada, and

(b) is of the opinion that the role of the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, P.C., in the sponsorship program is incompatible with his continued appointment as a diplomatic representative for Canada;

                     Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, hereby terminates the appointment of the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, P.C., as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the Kingdom of Denmark, made by Order in Council P.C. 2002-7 of January 15, 2002.