OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the Harper government to keep bored porn-surfing bureaucrat Franklin Andrews from returning to his job as a Canadian foreign service officer.

A federal public-service adjudicator ordered Andrews reinstated to his job that pays between $76,010 and $104,026 a year, even after he admitted spending between 50 and 75 per cent of his time, for seven months in 2008 and 2009, on non-work related internet surfing and for “acting through boredom and insufficient work."

Investigators found 335 pornographic images on Andrew’s government computer.

“Why would the Public Service Alliance of Canada demand Franklin Andrews be reinstated and why would the union ask for back pay? Is this what they really think of their members amusing themselves with pornography, in the office, during work hours?” asked Gregory Thomas, Federal and Ontario Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

“And even if the porn viewing and wasted tax dollars is somehow not enough reason to fire him, it’s pretty clear they don’t need him around if 'he was acting partly through boredom and insufficient work' as claimed in the hearing,” added Thomas.

“How many other bureaucrats are suffering from boredom and insufficient work?” questioned Thomas. “It’s high time the Harper government trim the public service to ensure no bureaucrat is bored and can spend up to 75 per cent of their work-day slacking-off.”

The CTF is calling on the government to appeal the ruling and to immediately review staffing levels to ensure no bureaucrat is bored again.

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For more information please contact:
Federal and Ontario Director Gregory Thomas at
800-265-0442 (toll free)
613-234-6554 (office)
613-295-8409 (mobile)