Paul Kennedy was removed as head of the Commission for Public Complaints (CPC) regarding the RCMP after he advocated a more powerful and independent Commission. He sought adequate funding for investigations, increased accountability and improved service standards. The Harper government appointed a Conservative Party ally to replace him.

In early 2010, Colonel Pat Stogran repeatedly criticised the federal government’s treatment of veterans. He deplored the obstructive bureaucracy of the Department of Veterans Affairs and of key government agencies which had prevented him from serving the interests of former soldiers. In the summer of 2010, Stogran was informed that he would not be appointed for a second term.

Linda Keen was fired in January 2008 after closing down a nuclear reactor for safety reasons. The government cited a shortage of isotopes essential to medical tests and procedures. It was a case of direct political interference of an arm’s length, independent regulator of a potentially hazardous industry.

Marty Cheliak was made Director General of the Canadian Firearms Program in August 2009. He supported the Program’s long-gun registry, uniting all of Canada’s major police organizations behind the cause. A year after his appointment, just before Parliament was to debate the long-gun registry, Cheliak was removed from his post.