THE COMPETITION BUREAU'S PROTOCOL TOWARD TREB

COMPETITION BUREAU v. TREB

Richard Silver, TREB's president stated that Melanie Aitken never once met with TREB during the time the Competition Bureau was in discussion with TREB about permitting VOWS and that while all of TREB's task force members remained consistent during these meetings the CB's kept changing.

I recently saw this picture with Melanie Aitken and wondered if this is our government office's boardroom or that of a past law firm employer of hers.

It reminded me of the time when in 1990 I travelled to Ottawa as a representative for Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company, one of three sister companies known today as FM Global, to pitch our case against GST on shared services to the deputy minister responsible for implementing the tax. The exercise was a frustrating and daunting task due to the required political protocol.


After arriving at a block of government offices we were ushered into a rather underwhelming, lacklustre waiting room replete with uncomfortable chairs lined against a beige wall. There we were met by some deputy assistant who advised us as to the proper etiquette we must follow once inside the even more dingy looking boardroom that had a distinctive backroom type of feel. I thought great at least our government does control extravagance.

The protocol was this: Upon the arrival of the deputy minister we were to stand until she sat at the head of the table and utter nary a sound until she spoke at which time we were to say: "good morning madame deputy" with no offer to shake hands. Further, discussion was limited to speaking only when called upon, each of our initial introductions was given a time limit and at all times we were to address her as madame deputy. At the conclusion of the meeting she stood, we stood, had to say "thank you madame deputy," and exit only after she left the waiting area.

A year later with our concession in hand and as she fell into obscurity, I couldn't even recall her name.

Now if any of us had accidentally bumped into this woman on the way into the building, at best she would hear: "I'm sorry." It wouldn't be anything like "forgive my impudence madame deputy for touching you" as you bow your head and back away. We were all totally unimpressed with the superior air of this appointed citizen and dug in our heels.

So it's possible the furniture, decor and view may be prettier - GST dollars at work perhaps, but *if it is our government office* an exaggerated air of self-righteousness and importance seems to have definitely been bumped up a notch or two *by our government.* Nothing that Meeting Room A *round table seats about 10* won't humble if they come to TREB.

Edited July 28 * Just reread this post and found the last paragraph unclear as to its reference and added the words between **