More than 170 newly arrived Ambassadors, High Commissioners, deputy heads of mission, military attaches and other members of the diplomatic community representing 60 countries registered for the 9th Annual Orientation for Newly Arrived Diplomats at Carleton University’s Richcraft Hall on Friday, November 8, 2019.
The orientation consisted of sessions on Canada’s parliamentary system and the current minority Parliament; public opinion trends; best diplomatic practices; the Canadian business environment; and engaging with the National Capital Region.
Eric Janse, Clerk Assistant, Committees and Legislative Services Directorate, House of Commons, opened the session on Understanding Canada’s Parliamentary System with a presentation on the House and Senate and parliamentary procedure, including how diplomats can follow proceedings and get further information.
Maureen Boyd, Director of the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement, moderated a panel with the Chandra Arya, M.P. for Nepean, Greg Fergus, M.P. for Hull-Alymer, Mona Fortier, M.P. for Ottawa-Vanier, and Randy Hoback, M.P. for Prince Albert, Conservative Caucus Chair for Saskatchewan and Deputy Shadow Minister of International Trade. Members of Parliament discussed foreign policy priorities and areas of cooperation in a minority Parliament.
The Chief of Protocol, Stewart Wheeler, informed diplomats of a complementary orientation at Global Affairs Canada to be held November 19, 2019 to provide information on practical protocol issues related to diplomat postings in Canada, an overview of government policy priorities, and information on department structures and processes. He then introduced Her Excellency Janice Miller, High Commissioner of Jamaica representing the Ottawa Diplomatic Association, who spoke of the role that the Association plays in the diplomatic community and invited new diplomats to join.
Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist, Nanos Research, gave a presentation on public opinion trends, including the recent federal election, western separatism, the Bloc Quebecois and on what diplomats can expect in a minority government.
Colin Robertson, vice-president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, moderated the panel with acclaimed journalists Susan Delacourt, Ottawa Bureau Chief, Toronto Star, author, and instructor at Carleton’s School of Journalism and Communication, and Jöel-Denis Bellavance, Ottawa Bureau Chief, La Presse. The panel answered questions on Canada’s new minority government, western separatism, the media, foreign policy and trade.
Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, discussed the roles of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, major issues inhibiting competitiveness, and the effects of the federal election and a new minority government.
Tobi Nussbaum, CEO, National Capital Commission, led the last session of the orientation, outlining the NCC’s role in planning and protecting the national capital region and of partnersing with diplomatic missions. .
Dr. Mary Francoli, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Public Affairs, opened the orientation and Carleton President Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon offered closing remarks, emphasizing Carleton’s interest in working with the diplomatic community.
Following the sessions, there was a lunch and resource fair that featured governments and private organizations that provide services to diplomats in areas such as education, tourism, culture, recreation, public policy information, volunteering, and children’s issues. Participants included the City of Ottawa, the National Capital Commission, Rideau Hall, Library of Parliament, Volunteer Ottawa and others.
The orientation was presented by the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement in association with the Ottawa Diplomatic Association and the Parliamentary Centre. It was free and open to newly arrived diplomats, diplomats who may have missed earlier orientation and spouses.
See the summary for a fuller description of the discussion.
Please click on the following for:
- Programme
- How Parliament Works presentation by Eric Janse, Clerk Assistant, Committees and Legislative Services Directorate, House of Commons
- Understanding Public Opinion Trends presentation by Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist, Nanos Research
- Library of Parliament Information Sheet
- Information Resource Sheet
- Discussion summary prepared by Alexander Currey, M.A. candidate, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University
- Personal Reflections: What Foreign Diplomats Need to Know about Canada by Colin Robertson, Vice President of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and Senior Fellow of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University
Photo Gallery – Fangliang Xu
