Diplomatic Appointments

October 15, 2012 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

Jon Allen becomes Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, with concurrent accreditation to the Principality of Andorra.

Philip Calvert becomes Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, with concurrent accreditation to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Pierre Giroux becomes Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador.

Michael Grant becomes Ambassador to Libya.

Richard Hanley becomes High Commissioner in Barbados, with concurrent accreditation in the Commonwealth of Dominica, in Grenada, in Antigua and Barbuda, and in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and becomes Consul General in the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat.

Alexandre Lévêque becomes High Commissioner in the United Republic of Tanzania, with concurrent accreditation in the Republic of Seychelles, and becomes Ambassador to the Union of the Comoros.

Ross Miller becomes Consul General in Dubai (United Arab Emirates).

Surprise! Photo Ops Come First

Jonathan Kay in the NP suggests why our $1.5 billion aid effort in Afghanistan has been judged a complete failure.

Foreign Affairs [unlike CIDA] doesn’t much care about poor people. They want Canadian aid to support whatever the current political game plan may be. So if Afghanistan is the hot topic of the day, they want a visible Canadian aid presence on the ground, new school buildings and medical centres with Canadian flags flying from them, perfect backdrops for the PM or Ministers’ photo-ops when they fly in to inspect this, that, or the other thing.”

DFAIT to Open Religious Freedom Office

What could possibly go wrong?

"... Canada is within days of opening a federal Office of Religious Freedom (within the Department of Foreign Affairs), and it’s becoming apparent that this isn’t a good idea for our country or the world. In fact, it’s very likely to contribute to the very problems we hope it might help solve."

Doug Saunders in the Globe, here.

2012 Maddick-Britton Results

It was a dark and stormy day, and for a while we contemplated a putting contest for the trophy but around 3 PM the rain abated (didn’t really stop) so we went out for 9. The course was soggy and the bunkers were filled with water but after a bit the greens were puttable, though slow, and all 29 golfers finished their rounds. And Bob Mason shot a 39 despite the weather, handily beating me 3 & 2 but Wiz lost too: not a day for your captains.

No twofer for the political+ side as the trade team won the cup: 9 wins to 5. The beef dinner was great and the level of discourse rose as the trade side enjoyed their well-deserved, and polec-provided wine. The rain delay did provide for extra time to tell lies and for old friends to work the room- suitable beverage in hand- so there was an up side to the poor weather.

Best question of the day was posed by Sandy Stefanik: should she rent a cart or a raft.

The Wiz and I look forward to being former captains and having Michel Lacourcière and Brian Parai still at the “Fort” should help those who replace us.

Mike Dungate had provided some prizes and we will vie for them next year; perhaps at Greensmere where Bob Mason and others are members.

All the best and keep hitting them far and sure. David (Stockwell) and Don (Wismer).

TCS in Social Media

LinkedIn Groups

Group: The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) - Le Service des délégués commerciaux du Canada (SDC) Subject: Doing Business in China || Faire des affaires en Chine Are you looking to export, invest, or develop innovation and R&D partnerships in China? If so, I'm pleased to invite you to join a new TCS sub-group dedicated to the topic of "Doing Business in China", organized by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS). China represents a commercial force felt around the world. The TCS actively promotes Canadian commercial opportunities throughout China, while providing Canadian companies with the market intelligence, connections and support they need to capitalize on specific opportunities. Today, a company's success depends on the strength of its network. We have expanded our presence in China with the addition of six new trade offices to support Canadian business interests and cultivate opportunities in key commercial centres. The group provides Canadian companies with a forum to advance their understanding of business practices in China while demystifying the challenges and clarifying the advantages presented by this growing and vital market for Canadian business. TCS group members benefit from exchanges of information on activities, experiences, interests and successes in the market while expanding their commercial network of contacts. I welcome your continued participation in this new TCS sub-group for Doing Business in China and encourage you to refer a colleague. Join the discussions - http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4618394 Best regards, Gregory Radych Manager, TCS Group LinkedIn ---------------------------------------------- Souhaitez-vous exporter, investir, mettre au point des innovations ou établir des partenariats de recherche et de développement (R­D) en Chine? Si c'est le cas, je suis heureux de vous inviter à vous joindre au nouveau sous-groupe SDC <>, lequel est organisé par le Service des délégués commerciaux du Canada (SDC). La Chine représente une force commerciale qui se fait sentir dans le monde entier. Le SDC fait activement la promotion des possibilités commerciales canadiennes dans l’ensemble de la Chine, tout en offrant aux entreprises du Canada l’information commerciale, les connexions et le soutien dont elles ont besoin pour tirer parti des débouchés précis. Aujourd'hui, la réussite d'une entreprise dépend de la force de son réseau. Nous avons élargi notre présence en Chine avec l’ajout de six nouveaux bureaux commerciaux afin d’appuyer les intérêts commerciaux du Canada et de favoriser les possibilités dans les principaux centres commerciaux. Le groupe offre aux entreprises canadiennes un forum pour les aider à mieux comprendre les pratiques commerciales en Chine tout en démystifiant les défis et en clarifiant les avantages présentés par ce marché essentiel et en pleine croissance pour les entreprises canadiennes. Les membres du groupe SDC profitent d’échanges d’informations portant sur les activités, les expériences, les intérêts et les réussites sur le marché tout en élargissant leur réseau commercial de contacts. J’espère que vous vous joindrez à ce nouveau sous-groupe SDC pour Faire des affaires en Chine et vous encourageons à recommander le groupe à un collègue. Plongez au cœur des discussions - http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4618394 Cordialement, Gregory Radych Gestionnaire, Groupe SDC sur LinkedIn

FSNA Position Available

FSNA currently has a position of Director, Membership and Volunteer Services to fill. 

FSNA offers an excellent benefit package, including an RRSP plan. Salary is commensurate 

with experience. Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to 

careers@fsna.com.  Please reference the job title in the subject line.  Deadline for 

applications is Friday, September 28, 2012, at 4 p.m.

Diplomatic Appointments

August 24, 2012 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

Sébastien Beaulieu becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia.

Jonathan Fried becomes Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization in Geneva.