Statement from ACFO President on Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Ottawa incidents

By now you are all aware of the attacks against Canadian Forces personnel and others that have taken place this week in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and today in Ottawa. Whether or not these incidents are ultimately proven to be related, the two will forever be connected in our minds given the close proximity and the targeting of Canadian Forces personnel and first responders.

It’s certainly a dark time and one that has hit far too close to home for all of us – particularly for those of us employed on the civilian side of the Department of National Defence and those included in the downtown Ottawa lockdown.

First and foremost, on behalf of ACFO and the entire FI Community, I want to express my condolences and sympathies to those who’ve lost family and friends, those who were injured and all those who are suffering as a result of these unthinkable events. I also want to express my profound gratitude to those who put their lives on the line to protect us from harm.

Members of the FI Community should remember that information flows quickly during these events – both accurate and inaccurate. In times of crisis, please respect the wishes of law enforcement and abide by the instructions of the appropriate authorities in your department and office building regarding emergency response protocols.

I also want to remind you that counselling services are available to public service members through the Employee Assistance Program. Information on EAP resources, including a 24-hour crisis line, can be found here: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/occup-travail/empl/eap-pae-eng.php. NAV Canada members can contact the Ottawa Distress Centre at 613-238-3311.

These are dark times for our country but in times of crisis I’m always struck by the spirit of community and resolve that rises up in the face of tragedy. Canadians will pull together, Canadians will support one another and Canadians will emerge stronger for it.

It’s the Canadian way.

Milt Isaacs, CPA, CMA, CPFA
President, Association of Canadian Financial Officers