Statement by the Prime Minister on the Death of Major-General Maurice Gaston "Gus" Cloutier, Sergeant-Arms of the House of Commons and Canadian Secretary to the Queen

Statement

Prime Minister Paul Martin today made the following statement:
"It is with sadness that I learned of the death of Major-General Maurice Gaston Cloutier, Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons and Canadian Secretary to the Queen.
Gus Cloutier was the longest serving Sergeant-at-Arms in the history of the Canadian Parliament. His appointment in 1978 followed a distinguished career in the Canadian Air Force.
As Sergeant-at-Arms, he upheld the authority of Parliament with great integrity and dignity, displaying a mastery of procedure and ceremony. Yet he saw himself as more than an enforcer of rules; he was a facilitator, helping to make Parliament work, while ensuring respect for the institution.
In fulfilling his duties, Gus Cloutier tempered the demands of the ceremonial with the day-to-day needs of a functioning democracy - and won the respect and admiration of members of every political stripe.
Dignified, affable, unfailingly courteous - Gus Cloutier was a man of exceptional quality. For more than 50 years, he served his country - an extraordinary record, the mark of a man who loved his country without reservation.
On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to express my condolences to his family. As a country, we have been blessed to have men of Gus Cloutier's calibre, distinction and dedication. We salute his memory and what he gave to Canada."
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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
This document is also available at the following address: http://pm.gc.ca

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2016-12-15

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Statement by the Prime Minister on the Death of Major-General Maurice Gaston "Gus" Cloutier, Sergeant-Arms of the House of Commons and Canadian Secretary to the Queen

Statement

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