Farewell to a Friend

Riding off into retirement

Von Karl Redekop

1. September 2007

Gerald Clement, long-time Assistant Deputy Minister for Manitoba Labour and Immigration, retired on Friday, July 6, 2007. We were blessed to celebrate with him and his wife, Helen, here in our office earlier that week.

Gerry, as we know him, was there from the beginning. In 1996, the Conservative government of the day decided to establish its own immigration program. Manitoba was the first province to enter into a special agreement with the Canadian federal government whereby it was given authority to nominate those immigrants it felt would be an asset to the provincial economy.

Adele Dyck presented her own proposal at the time to bring immigrant families to Manitoba. Soon Gerry and Adele were working closely together and her Winkler Pilot Project, to bring 50 families from Germany into this province, became the foundation for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). What was learned from that project was incorporated into the new PNP. Under Gerry’s leadership the PNP became the model for all other provincial immigration programs and Manitoba became a leading province in immigration.

Gerry was a visionary, strong and caring leader in his department. He always took time to carefully monitor and evaluate programs. He encouraged the things which worked, willingly listened to constructive criticism and supported changes if they led to improved service. And ultimately, service to people was central to all that Gerry did.

Gerry held his position as Assistant Deputy Minister through three provincial elections and a change in government. During all that time, although he built and maintained the best program possible, it was never about the program but always about the people. Gerry was less concerned with making an impression and more concerned about making an impact. He cared deeply about the individual and each immigrant family. It was important to him that families settled successfully in Manitoba, that they were supported and could build a worthwhile future for their children.

And now Gerry and Helen are moving on to the next chapter of their lives. They have sold their home in Winnipeg and have moved to a beautiful new home which they have built, over the past several years, on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. Here they will take time to relax for a while and prepare themselves for whatever comes next in their lives. They also look forward to spending more time with their children and grandchildren. Oh yes, Gerry is a very proud grandfather who loves to spoil his grandchildren.

We will continue to value Gerry as a leader and a friend. We are grateful for his guidance over the past years and we know that this is not an ending but a new beginning. All of us at Star 7 wish Gerry and Helen God’s rich blessing as they move on from here.