bout de papier, Volume 15, Issue No. 4, 1998-1999
How others (in Ottawa) see us
In an earlier issue (bout de papier, Vol. 28, No. 4) we looked at the terms of reference and a town hall meeting that launched the “McGill Report” on the role of the Department of External Affairs in August 1975. As part…
Basil Robinson
Basil Robinson, who died on December 21, 2012, at the age of 93, entered the Department with the classic background for a foreign service officer of his generation. Although born in England, he grew up in Vancouver, where his parents settled in…
Managing Transition
… My tour of duty in Washington was from 1989 to 1993 — the first Bush presidency. Many in the current Bush Administration were also players back then — Cheney, Powell, Zoellick, Rice and Andy Card, to name a few. They know…
John Holmes: Thou Shouldst Be Living at This Hour
Every generation at DFAIT creates its own legends. A legend for my generation was John Holmes. It may stimulate efforts of the current generation and those of others in and out of Government, to consider the enduring values of some of the…
Back to Basics
Senior management at External Affairs and International Trade Canada has embraced a “back to basics” approach to foreign policy. This means that frivolous add-on overseas programs, such as immigration, sports, culture and wine-tasting, which do not correspond to the Department’s core function…
A Man of Big Heart: The Memoirs of Maurice Mitchell
The Canadian Immigration Historical Society is to be applauded for its decision to publish the diaries and memoirs of civil servants who have been on the front lines of Canadian immigration. Without such a publication program, many such documents might never emerge…
Cruel and Inhumane Treatment
A recent ruling of the United Nations Human Rights Commission has created a stir in Canada, comparable to recent Supreme Court decisions on capital punishment in the United States. The UN has ruled that the current procedures in External Affairs and International…
Christine Manseau
Past presidents of PAFSO recall their memories of Christine Manseau who died on May 3, 1992. Christine joined PAFSO as Executive Director in 1983 and faithfully served the interests of the Association and its membership with great distinction and dedication. Since 1990,…
Transfer of Social Affairs Stream to CEIC: View from Manila
Readers will recall the intensive 1990 Corporate Review exercise in which EAITC employees of all levels and streams were challenged to develop innovative approaches to promote the effective delivery of departmental programs within Canada and abroad. In transferring the Social Affairs Stream…
