Foreign Affairs minister John Baird revamps business cards, removes Liberal, adds gold

John Baird put aside his government files on improving relations with China and negotiating a border security deal with the United States to become a graphic designer.

The Canadian Press uncovered documents showing Baird demanded several substantial amendments to his business cards in mid-June, even though concerns were raised by bureaucrats who said the changes were against government policy.

In a story reminiscent of a scene from the movie "American Psycho" Baird pinpointed specific areas for 'improvement':

Removing Canada

Baird asked the word "Canada" be removed from his business card - a change that led CBC reporter Kady O'Malley to appropriately ask: "Baird is the *foreign affairs minister* of Canada. Are we expecting the non-Cdns to whom he gives this card to recognize our (Coat of Arms) on sight?"

Removing Lester B. Pearson

The building where Baird works - the Foreign Affairs headquarters in Ottawa - is named the "Lester B. Pearson Building" after the former Liberal prime minister, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and top 10 finalist for CBC's greatest Canadian contest.

In a bold move, however, Baird deleted the name of the building on his business card.

Some suggest this is part of the Tories' strategy to rebrand Canada into a small "c" conservative country. Earlier this month, Baird named the modern building just to the east of Foreign Affairs headquarters after former Conservative prime minister John Diefenbaker.

Gold-embossed coat of arms

Less controversial is Baird's request the Coat of Arms be embossed in gold ink. The gold-ink embossed coat of arms had been dropped years ago as a cost-saving measure.

One language

Baird asked his card be in English only. Foreign Affairs printed two types, one with English on one side and French on the other for $197.75.

The new one has gold embossing on a mostly unilingual English card, with the reverse blank, for $424.88.

In response to this story, Liberal leader Bob Rae tweeted: "John Baird's business cards: no Canada, no Pearson, no french, gold...the symbolism of Harperland, arrogant, pretentious"

(Reuters Photo)