A union awaits the details of diplomacy investments by Mark Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney is committed to investing in Canada’s external service, arguing that diplomacy is becoming increasingly important in a dangerous world.

A union representative of external service agents and a senator who served Canada abroad say they are optimistic about Mr. Carney’s plans, but want to know the details.

The liberal electoral program indicated that a Carney government would send More diplomats and Canadian officials abroad To develop trade and Restore Canadian leadership.

He also indicated that the Liberals would publish a new complete foreign policy And would launch an additional national security exam.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s office said that no additional detail was available.

Mr. Carney is expected to appoint his new Council of Ministers later this month.

Pamela Isfeld, president of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Agents, argued that the union was happy to see the Liberal program undertake to strengthen diplomacy, but now wishes to know how will it be translated concretely.

Open in full screen

An in -depth examination of foreign policy and a new plan are long -awaitedsaid Ms. Isfeld, whose organization represents more than 2,000 active and retired members of the Canadian external service.

The moment is ideal for undertaking this project, now that Canada is thinking about its place in the world in the face of tensions with the United States, she added.

Ms. ISFELD explained that many key issues of the recent elections, including defense policy and economic and national sovereignty, are linked to diplomacy and external service.

The examination should take into account previous studies and involve consultations with public interest groups, indigenous groups, provinces and municipalities, she added.

More diplomats abroad

The last major federal examination of the external service was published in 2005, under the direction of the Prime Minister of the time, Paul Martin.

The government has developed strategies in recent years for Africa, the Indo-Pacific Region and the future of diplomacy.

As part of the diplomatic strategy, published in 2023, the government has promised to increase the diplomatic presence of Canada abroad. Senator Peter Boehm, former external service agent, stressed that, for any future revision to be effective, she must consult the Canadians, because There was not much in the platform.

Open in full screen

Mr. Boehm chaired the Senate Foreign Affairs and International Commerce Committee in 2023, when he recommended Global Affairs Canada to examine its high management structure to determine how to reduce the number of senior officials and reallocate resources.

Carney underlined the need for Canada to diversify its business partners in response to the World Trade War led by US President Donald Trump.

According to Mr. Boehm, this could mean the sending of more sales representatives in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Lack of resources

Ms. ISFELD stressed that sending more diplomats abroad would likely require more resources, and not just a reassignment of current employees. She said that the staff is mainly minimal In many missions, with a single representative in certain places.

There should be no section or team in an embassy without at least a replacementshe said. According to her, to guarantee the presence of at least two employees in each mission, it would probably be necessary to increase the number of employees of the external service by at least 50 to 60 %.

The government should also consider hiring more Canadian employees, depending on its priorities, as certain global business divisions are Canada are Really in an infectionshe added.

ISFELD said that some external service agents working in the United States are concerned about political issues in the country and lack of access to services.

I think people are nervous and it will translate when they talk to those interested to replace them. It’s a shame, because this is where we will really need competent people.

Senator Boehm has recognized that Canada is at a real turning point in its global relationscar l’Old order is called into question by the United States.

He added that he is impatiently awaiting the next Throne speech to obtain details on the plans of Mark Carney concerning the Canadian presence abroad. This will be an opportunity for the government, for the Prime Minister, to set up the ambitious program he spoke during the campaignsaid Boehm.