|
Resignation of Chief of Defence Staff
October 8, 1996
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced today that he has
accepted General Jean Boyle's request to relieve him of his duties
as Chief of the Defence Staff.
Attached is the exchange of correspondence between the Prime Minister
and General Boyle.
PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
T R A N S L A T I O N
October 8, 1996
Dear Prime Minister,
It is with deep regret that I have come to the conclusion that
I can no longer continue to serve as Chief of the Defence Staff.
This decision has been an extremely difficult one for me. It reflects
my personal assessment that the new Minister of National Defence,
the Honourable Douglas Young, must be given the greatest possible
latitude for success in his new portfolio. With the departure
of Mr. Collenette, I believe my continued tenure as Chief of the
Defence Staff would increasingly become the focus of attention
and would jeopardize both the Minister's ability to carry out
his duties and responsibilities and my ability to focus on the
important issues facing the Canadian Forces.
The men and women of the Canadian Forces, who continue to do outstanding
work at home and abroad and whose professionalism, integrity and
high standards remain undisputed, deserve leadership which is
not burdened by this kind of attention, and so I feel that I have
no option but to ask you to relieve me of my duties as Chief of
the Defence Staff.
Since my appointment as Chief of the Defence Staff, I have, to
the best of my ability, served honourably and have discharged
faithfully all of my responsibilities. I have a clear conscience
about my period of service, but I remain troubled about the way
in which some critics appear to have reached conclusions about
my performance that are, in my judgment, without proper foundation.
I would like to thank you for the honour of serving Canada as
Chief of the Defence Staff, and for the steadfast support of you,
Mr. Collenette, and the Government of Canada under very difficult
circumstances.
Respectfully,
J.E.J. Boyle
General
T R A N S L A T I O N
October 8, 1996
General Joseph Edouard Jean Boyle, CMM, CD
Chief of the Defence Staff
National Defence Headquarters
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K2
Dear General Boyle:
It is with great regret that I have come to share your conclusion
that I must relieve you from your duties as Chief of the Defence
Staff. You have served beyond the call of duty, at a time of strain
on a proud institution.
I know how committed you are to the Canadian Forces and how much
you have devoted to imparting to them a deep sense of their mission.
You have had a long and distinguished career in which you have
served your country well, both in Canada and abroad. In operational
assignments, service in Europe, command of the Royal Military
College and senior positions within National Defence, you have
always given of yourself selflessly and without reserve, in pursuit
of the highest values of public service.
I am grateful to you for having agreed to serve as Chief of the
Defence Staff. You have served with courage, dignity and integrity,
through what has been a difficult time for you and for the Canadian
Forces. You have not only dealt with past deeds, but insisted
on facing the future squarely. You have assumed your responsibility
unflinchingly and despite the considerable sacrifice required
on the part of your family and yourself.
In accepting your resignation, I wish to pay tribute to your service
to Canada, and I want to extend to you my most sincere wishes
for your future.
Yours sincerely,
|
