One of the most demanding jobs in Canada is being a Prime Minister or a Premier. Leading both a government and a political party while meeting the sometimes unrealistic expectations of a diverse and fickle electorate is a task requiring vision, tact, patience, strength of character and more than a little luck. It also requires having devoted and capable people around you, willing to share your burdens, while knowing they will receive none of the public credit when things go right.
Three men who filled this challenging role of Chief of Staff/ Executive Assistant to leaders of with distinction, grace and good humour recently passed away within days of each other. This is a celebration of their legacy.
Frederic Arsenault, Bill Neville and Bernard Roy, to take them in alphabetical order served Richard Hatfield, Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney respectively. Their hard work, intellectual capacity, political judgement and coolness in times of crisis played an essential role in the transformation of the New Brunswick and Canadian Progressive Conservative parties into effective instruments of government during the 1970’s and 1980’s and in broadening their base of support among francophone Canadians and urban Ontario voters.
They were loyal, committed and effective servants of their parties and their leaders, but scorned partisan rancour and bitterness; winning the trust of public servants and the respect of their political opponents. The public life of Canada was enriched by their service. All those with a desire to truly serve their province and country through their chosen political party can and should draw inspiration from their examples.