Gil Puder - In Memoriam

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On November 12th, 1999, a remarkable individual and valued friend of The Fraser Institute passed away. Constable Gil Puder was a distinguished 17-year veteran of the Vancouver Police Department, whose final two years of professional service epitomized his principled, productive, and selfless life.

Gil Puder first came to my attention at The Fraser Institute through an article he wrote for the Vancouver Sun in which he expressed his disdain for the irrationality of North America’s "War on Drugs." As a veteran police officer whose downtown Vancouver beat ensured daily participation in implementing this costly, and evidentially futile attempt to discourage drug use, Gil knew his "real world" voice had the potential to carry considerable weight in the drug policy debate.

He also knew that institutional constraints might limit his ability to speak frankly and candidly in opposition to the legislative status quo. However, Gil’s personal integrity and courage saw him through the innumerable professional roadblocks that were placed in his path. Most significantly, his appearance at The Fraser Institute’s April 1998 Vancouver conference on drug policy reform occurred in defiance of a direct order from the then-Chief of Police to remain silent on this issue. As the prolonged standing ovation which followed Gil’s speech attested, his willingness to risk his own career for the public good was remarkably courageous, and recognized as such by those concerned with the drug issue.

The recently broadcast CBC television documentary on international drug policy reform featured Gil as the Canadian campaigner. Last year, publisher Douglas & Stewart invited him to put his inspiring story on paper. His memoirs will be posthumously published in the spring of 2000, as will his contribution to The Fraser Institute’s upcoming publication, Sensible Solutions to the Urban Drug Problem.

Gil also participated as a speaker in our ongoing Student Seminar Program. Predictably, he delighted his audience with his intelligence, compassion, and candour. In memory of his dedication, perseverance, and courage, The Fraser Institute will name one of its summer 2000 internship positions in his honour: The Gil Puder Memorial Internship.

At The Fraser Institute, it is our sincere wish that his legacy will provide, in time, some small measure of comfort to both family and friends. He will be sorely missed.

- Patrick Basham, Director,
Social Affairs Centre, The Fraser Institute

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Last Modified: Wednesday June 9, 1999.