By Ian V. Macdonald
March 13, 2013
Dear Arthur – your tribute is very moving. There is no doubt that Doug Christie was Divinely inspired and chosen for his gifted role in defending the ideals and high principles that our people have stood for over the centuries. Kipling’s poem “If” also applies. He stood proudly head and shoulders above his contemptible, anti-Christian, anti-Canadian detractors and enemies, and will remain forever a beacon of truth and freedom of expression. I called him BraveHeart since he demonstrated all the traits of character that made the like-minded William Wallace a super-hero. He deserves wide recognition for his patriotism and sacrifice. I asked Peter Milliken, former Speaker of the House of Commons, to nominate him for the Order of Canada (see below) but the award cannot be made posthumously, so we shall have to find some other medium. Little praise can be expected from the Mainline Media, and even less from self-serving politicians, unfortunately.
Having known and admired Doug for many years, I am totally devastated by his sudden departure. We must now redouble our efforts, in his honour.
Ian
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March 1, 2013
Hon. Peter Milliken,
Queen’s University,
Kingston, ON
Dear Peter Milliken,
Nomination of Doug Christie for Order of Canada award
We met at the Macdonald Laurier soiree where I boasted that I had graduated from Queen’s (Arts ’49 Econ) before you were born! You said by ’49 you had been around already for 3 years. You were much in demand at the soiree so we had little time to talk. Otherwise, I would have told you that I am the patriarch of a Queen’s family, with 2 daughters (one of whom graduated in Mining Engineering), a son-in-law, one granddaughter (in Aeronautical Engineering with scholarships from Air Canada and National Defence), a second granddaughter pending, and a sister and brother-in-law, Arts and Engineering.
During my years at Queen’s I was Manager of the Brass and Pipe bands and had them fitted out for the first time with authentic Highland uniforms, raising the funds from soft-drink and cloakroom concessions. I also led a Swing Band and played many dates in Grant Hall and the gymnasium, helping to pay my way.
After Queen’s I took an MA from Toronto and joined the Foreign Service, becoming, in rather short order, by far the most successful Trade Commissioner in the history of the Service. Eventually, after six foreign postings I became head of export development policy planning for the Department. I was told if I “played the game”, I could go “right to the top”.
One of my prime policy proposals (1969) was the cultivation of markets in the oil-producing countries of the Middle East, with all of which I was intimately familiar, having spent 2 years there as Commercial Counselor, based in Beirut. The policy paper was not well received. The Deputy Minister told me privately that Arab markets were ”not a popular cause”, that the issue was “politically sensitive”, and that I must never mention the word “Arab” again. When I protested that the immense prospective benefits to Canada could not be ignored, he said if I wrote on the subject again I would “suffer the consequences”. I said I had taken the Oath of Allegiance and would do as my conscience and mandate dictated.
I then produced a second policy paper, more forthright than the first, and included the recommendation that we end the counter-productive preoccupation with Israel in favour of alignment with the Arab countries. Soon thereafter I was summarily dismissed, the specious grounds and legal protection of the Public Service Employment Act notwithstanding. When I threatened to appeal. I was offered “reinstatement within a year when the heat from the Jewish Lobby dies down” - providing that I didn’t appeal nor contact any politician or the media on the subject. I agreed, but a year later found I had been conned, and had nothing in writing. Meanwhile, two Directors of PAFSO, the Foreign Service Officers’ Union, approached the DM on my behalf, only to be told that if they tried to assist Macdonald they would soon ”follow in his footsteps”. I promptly released them from their obligation.
I then took a position in Overseas Project Marketing, another branch of the Department, and was soon back in form, negotiating major contracts with the new Government in Libya with multi-billion dollar potential. One was the reassignment of the former BP concession to a Canadian company. The concession was producing 300,000 bpd, making the acquisition the largest in money terms of any ever achieved by a single Canadian. I visited BP headquarters in London and obtained their blessing, news of which I telexed to the Department. However, when I returned to my Ottawa office I met a furious reception, including curses, accusations of disobeying instructions, etc, the mildest of which was “poor judgment”. i was immediately physically expelled from my office, with instructions not to return, rendered incommunicado and (as I later learned) was once again recommended for dismissal. After several months’ purgatory, I was permitted to return to my office.
The dismissal was shelved at that time, but did take place in 1984 after I had negotiated an agreement in principle in 1983 for construction of a large lamb production project in Saudi Arabia where the client insisted that it be carried out by Canadians. The client (Prince Badr) and his Manager insisted that I be present as mediator at the final contract negotiations in Riyadh between the Saudi client and the Canadian consortium which I had formed for the purpose. A few days before the departure date I was ordered not to attend the meeting on pain of dismissal for “insubordination” if I disobeyed. My sudden, unexplained withdrawal cast a shadow on the negotiations causing them to fail. The project was the largest of its kind with a value of at least $500 million. I asked the Embassy in Jeddah to send someone but they refused!
To contest the 1984 dismissal, I approached all the law firms in Ottawa who advertised competence in “unlawful dismissal” litigation but, after initial enthusiasm, all declined when they ascertained that the Jewish Lobby (which included the Israeli Embassy) was the culprit. In desperation, as the appeal deadline approached, I drew up the appeal myself. I sent a copy to Doug Christie, whom I had heard speak in Ottawa, to vet my handiwork. He replied that he would be glad to represent me, despite the distance from Victoria, if I could find no other.
Since there were no legitimate grounds for dismissal, Mr Christie saw an easy win. As he began his examination, however, he was interrupted by the Judge who told him he should think twice if he intended to mention “Jews” or raise the subject of a “Jewish conspiracy” since to do so would seriously jeopardize his chance of success (it had not been his intention). His presentation seemed more than adequate, especially since the Department of Justice lawyers presented no evidence. Nevertheless, the Appeal failed.
I asked an old friend, who had specialized in Public Service law, how it was possible that I l could lose. He asked the name of the Judge. When I told him, he said the Judge was an “old political party hack who knows how the game is played”. By chance I ran into a former neighbour, the renowned Judge John Matheson, at an Alumni Reunion at Queen’s and put to him the same question. He asked the name of my lawyer. When I replied “Doug Christie” he said “Well, that’s your answer – there’s no way they were going to let him win the case”.
More recently, I retained Doug Christie in a defamation claim I lodged against the CBC for permitting the egregious Warren Kinsella to state on national TV that I was one of the main sources of finance for right-wing terrorism in Canada. The Judge found that the comments were not defamatory even to the slightest degree and, falsely, that in any event I was out of time, giving credibility to Kinsella’s ludicrous story and forcing me to pay the Defendant’s substantial legal fees. The decision was upheld on appeal. A Supreme Court application was denied.
I have followed Doug Christie’s fortunes and misfortunes for many years and recognize him as being without par the epitome of all that is honourable and equitable in the practice of his profession, combined with an empathy for ostracized victims of our Politically Correct society who are shunned, condemned and punished, however worthy and valid their opinions. He is virtually unique in Canada in his self-sacrifice on behalf of his victimized clients and in his willingness share their distress, although it has cost him any esteem he might have earned in law and politics, and an otherwise profitable legal career.
It has also cost him his health, as he has been struck down in his prime by a cancer that doubtless was induced by the stress and frustration of appearing before a hostile judiciary and facing the wrath of venal law society zealots, covering their shamelessness with invective, ad hominems and baseless condemnation of an ultra-respectable man whose Christian rectitude and respect for tradition are beyond their comprehension.
He has many admirers who now seek to memorialize him for all his good works as an outstanding Canadian, selfless Good Samaritan and proud Scot who dedicated his life to the struggle for truth, freedom and justice to a degree equaled by few if any others. He deserves recognition by the people of Canada. At a minimum, this should include the award of the Order of Canada and I ask, if you would be so kind, as a presumed sympathizer, that you nominate him. Your sponsorship would more likely succeed than would mine, since you are widely respected and would have no perceived vested interest.
The nomination forms are available online as is all necessary information on the nominee. I would be glad to prepare the forms for you, if you prefer.
Yours sincerely,
Ian Macdonald
455 Wilbrod Street
Ottawa ON K1N 6M7
Ex-RCAF, RNFAA
