'Harperman' federal scientist Tony Turner retires rather than wait out investigation

The Environment Canada scientist whose anti-Stephen Harper folksong "Harperman" got him suspended from his job is retiring ratherthan waiting out an investigation into his behaviour.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, theunion that represents Tony Turner, saidTurner's retirement tookeffect this week.

He was suspended with pay this summer for allegedlybreaching thegovernment of Canada's values and ethics code for public servants byrecording and posting a song on YouTube that takes the primeminister's policies to task and concludes that "Harperman, it'stime for you to go."

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In a release, Turner saidhe was assured of a quickinvestigation, but as the weeks have dragged on hedecided it was better to retire from the civil service.

Turner said he continues to believe he acted within his rightsunder the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and says he did not actcontrary to Environment Canada's values and ethics code.

A spokeswoman for the public service union saidTurner'sretirement does not affect the rights of other civil servants to
free political speech, a right that was upheld by the Supreme Courtof Canada in 1991.