A British Columbia man says he's been dumped from his role as scientist emeritus with the Geological Survey of Canada for refusing to refer to the federal government as "the new government of Canada."

Dr. Andrew Okulitch told CBC News on Monday that it all began Sept. 5, when his Earth sciences sector on Salt Spring Island received an e-mail from Natural Resources Canada advising employees to use the "new government" phrase in all departmental correspondence.

Another person who works at Natural Resources Canada told CBC.ca that employees have been directed to use the phrase "Canada's New Government," with all three words capitalized.

When he received the Sept. 5 e-mail, Okulitch said he immediately fired off a reply to its sender and all the other recipients.

"I said, 'Why do newly elected officials think everything begins with them taking office?'"

Okulitch said he added in his reply, "While this ridiculous and embarrassing policy is in effect, I shall use Geological Survey of Canada on my departmental correspondence to avoid any connection with the new government."

E-mail told him to clear out office

Okulitch said within an hour he received an e-mail from an assistant deputy minister telling him he was no longer part of the scientist emeritus program and to clear out his office immediately.

"No one ever came to see me. He never phoned. He never wrote. And I replied to that and said that it seemed an overreaction," he said.

Okulitch said the assistant deputy minister stood by the decision. He said he was told that no one with an attitude like that should be part of the public service.

He said while being part of the scientist emeritus program was a considerable honour, he'll continue doing his research from home.