Friday, March 8, 2019
Deepest sympathies to each family member on the passing of an outstanding Canadian and devoted public servant. Gordon in his first appointment in the early seventies as a Deputy Minister, headed Consumer Affairs, and his Minister Robert Andras and I as the Minister's top political adviser developed a lifetime friendship and respect for him through his service as the most effective Clerk of the Privy Council in modern Canadian history, to date. Gordon always welcomed advice from others, even those outside government, and set a new standard on the most effective role of a modern head of the public service. I am especially thankful that Gordon acted swiftly on the advice I provided to him both in my role as Prime Minister John Turner's senior policy adviser and later in my roles outside Government, especially in righting wrongs in one legendary public servant's dismissal, and Gordon's direction to re-instate the person. He always demonstrated wisdom and compassion. Dan Coates, Ottawa
