August 30, 2005

Prime Minister Paul Martin today made the following statement:

“It is with sadness that I learned of the death of Major-General Maurice Gaston Cloutier, Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons and Canadian Secretary to the Queen.

Gus Cloutier was the longest serving Sergeant-at-Arms in the history of the Canadian Parliament. His appointment in 1978 followed a distinguished career in the Canadian Air Force.

As Sergeant-at-Arms, he upheld the authority of Parliament with great integrity and dignity, displaying a mastery of procedure and ceremony. Yet he saw himself as more than an enforcer of rules; he was a facilitator, helping to make Parliament work, while ensuring respect for the institution.

In fulfilling his duties, Gus Cloutier tempered the demands of the ceremonial with the day-to-day needs of a functioning democracy – and won the respect and admiration of members of every political stripe.

Dignified, affable, unfailingly courteous – Gus Cloutier was a man of exceptional quality. For more than 50 years, he served his country – an extraordinary record, the mark of a man who loved his country without reservation.

On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to express my condolences to his family. As a country, we have been blessed to have men of Gus Cloutier’s calibre, distinction and dedication. We salute his memory and what he gave to Canada.”