Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada paying tribute to public servant who died in plane crash near Resolute Bay

August 22, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement in honour of the dedicated public servant who lost his life following the crash of First Air charter flight 6560 near Resolute Bay:

"I offer my most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Marty Bergmann, a dedicated public servant who died on Saturday in the tragic plane crash near Resolute Bay.

"Marty Bergmann spent his life in pursuit of sharing the importance and relevance of the Arctic through science. He engaged Northern communities and worked to integrate traditional knowledge in the advancement of science.

"During his impressive career in the Government – most recently as Director of the Polar Continental Shelf Program with Natural Resources – he worked tirelessly to support researchers in the country's vast and remote North and has been a leader in rejuvenating Canada's Arctic research infrastructure.

"His dedication, efforts and writings have won him many awards and the deep respect of his peers.

"Mr. Bergmann's remarkable contributions to the North and to Canada will be remembered.

"His legacy will live on in the science benefitting Northern families and in exercising Canada's sovereignty over its Arctic territory.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sheila and his four children during this very difficult time. He will be greatly missed."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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