Posted on: 05-08-04 15:44:25
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1091657094147_127/?hub=Canada
Quote:
OTTAWA — Three weeks after firing Shiv Chopra for insubordination, Health Canada has sent him a gold watch and congratulatory letter praising his 35 years of "dedicated service."
Chopra, one of three Health Canada whistleblowers fired on July 14, said he was insulted to get the glowing letter of praise after months of what he calls harassment by the department, culminating in his firing.
"Your years of service have not gone unnoticed and you have earned... praise and respect," says the letter signed by Deputy Health Minister Ian Green.
"Please accept this special tribute as we honour you and your career. It's an acknowledgement of our sincere appreciation."
In contrast, Green's July 14 letter of dismissal cited concerns about Chopra's work performance and blasted him for "total lack of progress" in a project he had been assigned.
"I have concluded that you have chosen to deliberately refuse to comply with my instructions," Green says in the earlier letter.
"Given your previous disciplinary record and your continued unwillingness to accept responsibility for work assigned to you, I have determined that the bond of trust that is essential to productive employer employee relationship has been irreparably breached."
In the later letter, along with his gold watch Chopra received a framed, honorary certificate signed by Prime Minister Paul Martin.
Shiv Chopra is great! He was always opposing the system, no matter it is racism or wrong doings by government or anything else, at whatever level it is!
Infact he won the case of racism 3 years back.
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A Proud Indian Canadian
Dr. Chopra was in news three years back:
Quote:
DR. SHIV CHOPRA'S victory in Canada against racial discrimination is a testament to his perseverance and determination. For more than a decade now, this Punjab-born scientist has been battling his bosses over the denial of promotion at Health Canada, where he continues to work.
Dr. Shiv Chopra.
Chopra's long struggle began when a "white" colleague was preferred over him as Director, Bureau of Human Prescription Drugs in Health Canada. This was done despite the finding of a government appeal board that the person did not have the required qualifications. When Chopra challenged the decision, he was told: "Some get it, some don't." Unsatisfied with the explanation, Chopra sent a written complaint to the Public Service Commission and his union.
In late 1991, he went further and filed an application with the Federal Court to get the appointment revoked. He won a minor victory when Health Canada decided to hold the competition afresh. But the result was the same. Chopra was said to be unfit for the post as he did not have the requisite experience in management. However, Chopra's case received a shot in the arm when, in an interview to human resources officials investigating the case, Chopra's superior, assistant deputy minister, Dr. Albert Liston, reportedly remarked that the ethnic minorities lacked "soft skills" such as communication and negotiation, because of their cultural heritage. Liston allegedly suggested that Chopra was authoritarian and possessed a confrontational style, which would not make him a good negotiator. Further, the investigation brought to light how positive remarks about Chopra's work in an assessment by Health Canada in 1991, were replaced with unflattering comments. "Dr. Chopra is an energetic and resourceful worker and required little supervision" became "Dr. Chopra works with little direct supervision." During the hearing, the department accused Chopra of not doing enough to advance his career.
THIS was not the first time that Health Canada faced criticism for practising racial discrimination. In 1997 a human rights tribunal found that the department was discriminating against racial minorities in matters of promotion. In 1992 Chopra took his case to the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The tribunal that was set up to inquire into the matter agreed that Chopra had indeed been discriminated against, because of his ethnic background. The department was ordered to make changes in its appointments and recruiting policies. Consequently, today at least 15 non-whites occupy senior management positions in Health Canada.
More reading
http://www.flonnet.com/fl1824/18240620.htm
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A Proud Indian Canadian
If he was a Francophone, they would have promoted him to a very high level at health Canada.
The Federal Public Service is now dominated by Francophones because the language requirements favour them i.e. it is a lot easier for Francophones to become bilingual in a sea of English.
"Chopra's superior, assistant deputy minister, Dr. Albert Liston, reportedly remarked that the ethnic minorities lacked "soft skills" such as communication and negotiation, because of their cultural heritage."
This is what I hate so much about Canada. It's absolutely a beating stick they carry at all levels of Jobs.
One cannot get simple office Jobs here because they perceive us as not having basic communication skills.
Damn them!!!
I was in USA for 4 years and my friends have been there much longer. Never one faced such bullshit about "soft skills"
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I once made a mistake, but I was wrong about it.
They tend to make a mockery of the desi accents in English etc. but when it comes to Francophones who can barely speak english...this is widely tolerated in the federal public service because the french is considered a replacement for english even though most of the working folks don't speak it.
