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Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Mark Carney's planned cuts will include the foreign service, alarming some ex-diplomats
The diplomats' union and former ambassadors are raising concerns about Prime Minister Mark Carney's planned cuts to the foreign service, just as Global Affairs Canada is looking to expand its presence abroad. 'It's going to be painful,' said Pam Isfeld, president of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers. Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne sent letters to ministers on July 7, asking them to find savings of 7.5 per cent in their budgets starting next spring. Later last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said that this will include Global Affairs Canada. 'It is necessary for us to find those instances where red tape can be cut, and where inefficiencies need to be addressed,' she told reporters on July 10, adding that she would not speculate on what those cuts will look like. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Isfeld said senior officials in the department have had an open exchange, including with her on Monday, about how to achieve budget targets while limiting the damage to Canada's stance on the world stage. 'It sounds like they are committed to not just doing a sort of haircut approach … across the board, and everybody gets a reduction,' she said. Instead, the department might try 'slicing things according to geographic responsibility,' to reduce some spending while 'preserving the core functions, and the things that Canadians depend on,' she said. Isfeld said the government might find some areas to streamline, and suggested Ottawa cut back on paying outside consultants and allow more Canada-based staff to work at home instead of them needing office spaces. But overall, she said the government has a 'contradictory' approach to cutting expenditures while pledging to expand Canada's alliances and following through on having more diplomats to execute the Indo-Pacific and Africa strategies. 'We're already doing a lot with a little, in many, many places in the world,' Isfeld said. Her union has been working on a publicity campaign before last week's announced spending cut, when it was clear that Carney would be looking for ways to pay for things like increased military spending. The video ads focus on the security and trade benefits of having diplomats with a knowledge of what's happening on the ground, who can help Canadian companies make deals with companies in countries other than the U.S., and find ways to prevent conflict. 'If we have good relationships out there, and people appreciating us and seeing Canada as a strong player that's contributing … that makes the other things that we want to accomplish a lot easier.' She said that includes foreign aid, with countries being more open to economic or security collaboration if they feel Ottawa is a trusted partner who is interested in local well-being. Carney pledged in the spring election to not cut foreign aid contributions, but has since pledged a massive increase in defence spending. The U.S. State Department is meanwhile laying off more than 1,300 employees as the Trump administration looks to cut government spending. Those cuts have been widely panned as possibly stemming Washington's influence at a time when Beijing and Moscow are growing their clout on the world stage. Sen. Peter Boehm, a former ambassador, reflected on those cuts in a LinkedIn post, saying he hopes Ottawa thinks hard about Canada's place in the world when it looks at constraining Global Affairs Canada's budget. 'We have a significant and influential tradition, spanning many decades. Let us preserve and sustain it,' he wrote. The post has attracted similar comments from other former ambassadors. 'Diplomats are the first responders in global crises _ cutting them weakens Canada's influence, security, and ability to protect its citizens abroad,' wrote Alan Kessel. 'While adversaries like China and Russia are expanding their diplomatic reach, Canada cannot afford to retreat.' 'Increased military spending, decreased diplomacy, growing nationalism and mercantilism in the U.S. is a worrisome combination,' wrote Alexandra Bugailiskis. 'Canada needs to take a different path.' The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has long advocated Canada cut back on foreign aid, and has been critical of a fund that Canadian embassies can use to support cultural programming. The group cites spending on artwork, alcohol and artistic events with sexual themes. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Mark Carney's planned cuts will include the foreign service, alarming some ex-diplomats
The diplomats' union and former ambassadors are raising concerns about Prime Minister Mark Carney's planned cuts to the foreign service, just as Global Affairs Canada is looking to expand its presence abroad. Article content 'It's going to be painful,' said Pam Isfeld, president of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers. Article content Article content Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne sent letters to ministers on July 7, asking them to find savings of 7.5 per cent in their budgets starting next spring. Later last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said that this will include Global Affairs Canada. Article content Article content Article content Article content Isfeld said senior officials in the department have had an open exchange, including with her on Monday, about how to achieve budget targets while limiting the damage to Canada's stance on the world stage. Article content 'It sounds like they are committed to not just doing a sort of haircut approach … across the board, and everybody gets a reduction,' she said. Article content Instead, the department might try 'slicing things according to geographic responsibility,' to reduce some spending while 'preserving the core functions, and the things that Canadians depend on,' she said. Article content Isfeld said the government might find some areas to streamline, and suggested Ottawa cut back on paying outside consultants and allow more Canada-based staff to work at home instead of them needing office spaces. Article content Article content Article content But overall, she said the government has a 'contradictory' approach to cutting expenditures while pledging to expand Canada's alliances and following through on having more diplomats to execute the Indo-Pacific and Africa strategies. Article content Her union has been working on a publicity campaign before last week's announced spending cut, when it was clear that Carney would be looking for ways to pay for things like increased military spending. Article content The video ads focus on the security and trade benefits of having diplomats with a knowledge of what's happening on the ground, who can help Canadian companies make deals with companies in countries other than the U.S., and find ways to prevent conflict.
Global News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Carney's plan to boost Canada's foreign service needs more details: union
Prime Minister Mark Carney has vowed to invest in Canada's foreign service, arguing that diplomacy is becoming increasingly important in a dangerous world. A union official representing foreign service officers and a senator who once served Canada overseas say they're optimistic about Carney's plans but they want to see the details. The Liberal election platform said a Carney government would send 'more Canadian diplomats and officials abroad' to expand trade and 'restore Canadian leadership.' It also said the Liberals would issue a 'new, full foreign policy' and launch a complementary national security review. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office said no additional details were available. Carney is expected to name his new cabinet later this month. Story continues below advertisement 9:37 Diplomatic reality in a politically explosive world Pamela Isfeld, president of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers, said the union was happy to see the Liberal platform commit to enhancing diplomacy but now wants to know 'how that is actually going to translate into action.' A proper foreign policy review and fresh plan are 'long overdue,' said Isfeld, whose organization represents more than 2,000 active and retired members of Canada' foreign service. There is no better time to undertake the project, now that Canada is considering its place in the world in the face of tensions with the U.S., she added. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Isfeld said many key issues in the recent election — including defence policy and economic and national sovereignty — are linked to diplomacy and the foreign service. The review should take into account previous studies and involve consultation with public interest groups, Indigenous groups, provinces and municipalities, she said. Story continues below advertisement The last major federal review of the foreign service was released in 2005 under then-prime minister Paul Martin. The government has mapped out strategies in recent years on Africa, the Indo-Pacific and the future of diplomacy. As part of the diplomacy strategy, published in 2023, the government promised to expand Canada's diplomatic footprint abroad. 2:18 Canadian government pushed to revitalize diplomat corps in U.S. Sen. Peter Boehm, a former foreign service officer, said that for any future review to be effective, it must consult with Canadians because 'there really wasn't that much in the platform.' Boehm was chair of the Senate committee on foreign affairs and international trade in 2023 when it recommended that Global Affairs Canada examine its senior management structure to see how it could reduce the number of senior officials and reallocate resources. Story continues below advertisement Carney has emphasized the need for Canada to diversify its trading partners in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's global trade war. Boehm said that might mean sending more trade commissioners to countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. Isfeld said sending more diplomats abroad likely would require more resources — not just reallocation of current employees. She said staffing is essentially 'bare bones' in many missions, with just one representative in some locations. 'There shouldn't be a section or a team in any embassy where there isn't at least a backup,' she said. Isfeld said ensuring there are at least two staffers in every mission probably would involve increasing the number of foreign service staff by at least 50 to 60 per cent. 1:54 Canada details new 'Arctic Foreign Policy' in effort to bolster northern presence, security The government also should consider hiring more Canada-based employees, depending on its priorities, as some divisions at Global Affairs Canada are 'really understaffed,' she added. Story continues below advertisement Isfeld said some foreign service officers working in the United States have concerns about political issues in the country and a lack of access to services. 'I think people are feeling nervous and that's going to translate when they talk to the people who are interested in replacing them,' she said. 'It's a shame because this is where we're really going to need really good people.' Boehm said Canada faces a 'real inflection point in global relations' because the 'old order' is being challenged by the United States. He said he is looking to the coming throne speech for details about Carney's plans for Canada's presence abroad. 'This will be the opportunity for the government, for the prime minister, to set up that ambitious agenda that he was talking about during the campaign,' Boehm said.
Hamilton Spectator
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
More details needed about Carney's plans to revamp foreign service, union head says
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Mark Carney has vowed to invest in Canada's foreign service, arguing that diplomacy is becoming increasingly important in a dangerous world. A union official representing foreign service officers and a senator who once served Canada overseas say they're optimistic about Carney's plans but they want to see the details. The Liberal election platform said a Carney government would send 'more Canadian diplomats and officials abroad' to expand trade and 'restore Canadian leadership.' It also said the Liberals would issue a 'new, full foreign policy' and launch a complementary national security review. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office said no additional details were available. Carney is expected to name his new cabinet later this month. Pamela Isfeld, president of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers, said the union was happy to see the Liberal platform commit to enhancing diplomacy but now wants to know 'how that is actually going to translate into action.' A proper foreign policy review and fresh plan are 'long overdue,' said Isfeld, whose organization represents more than 2,000 active and retired members of Canada' foreign service. There is no better time to undertake the project, now that Canada is considering its place in the world in the face of tensions with the U.S., she added. Isfeld said many key issues in the recent election — including defence policy and economic and national sovereignty — are linked to diplomacy and the foreign service. The review should take into account previous studies and involve consultation with public interest groups, Indigenous groups, provinces and municipalities, she said. The last major federal review of the foreign service was released in 2005 under then-prime minister Paul Martin. The government has mapped out strategies in recent years on Africa, the Indo-Pacific and the future of diplomacy. As part of the diplomacy strategy, published in 2023, the government promised to expand Canada's diplomatic footprint abroad. Sen. Peter Boehm, a former foreign service officer, said that for any future review to be effective, it must consult with Canadians because 'there really wasn't that much in the platform.' Boehm was chair of the Senate committee on foreign affairs and international trade in 2023 when it recommended that Global Affairs Canada examine its senior management structure to see how it could reduce the number of senior officials and reallocate resources. Carney has emphasized the need for Canada to diversify its trading partners in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's global trade war. Boehm said that might mean sending more trade commissioners to countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. Isfeld said sending more diplomats abroad likely would require more resources — not just reallocation of current employees. She said staffing is essentially 'bare bones' in many missions, with just one representative in some locations. 'There shouldn't be a section or a team in any embassy where there isn't at least a backup,' she said. Isfeld said ensuring there are at least two staffers in every mission probably would involve increasing the number of foreign service staff by at least 50 to 60 per cent. The government also should consider hiring more Canada-based employees, depending on its priorities, as some divisions at Global Affairs Canada are 'really understaffed,' she added. Isfeld said some foreign service officers working in the United States have concerns about political issues in the country and a lack of access to services. 'I think people are feeling nervous and that's going to translate when they talk to the people who are interested in replacing them,' she said. 'It's a shame because this is where we're really going to need really good people.' Boehm said Canada faces a 'real inflection point in global relations' because the 'old order' is being challenged by the United States. He said he is looking to the coming throne speech for details about Carney's plans for Canada's presence abroad. 'This will be the opportunity for the government, for the prime minister, to set up that ambitious agenda that he was talking about during the campaign,' Boehm said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
More details needed about Carney's plans to revamp foreign service, union head says
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney has vowed to invest in Canada's foreign service, arguing that diplomacy is becoming increasingly important in a dangerous world. A union official representing foreign service officers and a senator who once served Canada overseas say they're optimistic about Carney's plans but they want to see the details. The Liberal election platform said a Carney government would send 'more Canadian diplomats and officials abroad' to expand trade and 'restore Canadian leadership.' It also said the Liberals would issue a 'new, full foreign policy' and launch a complementary national security review. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office said no additional details were available. Carney is expected to name his new cabinet later this month. Pamela Isfeld, president of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers, said the union was happy to see the Liberal platform commit to enhancing diplomacy but now wants to know 'how that is actually going to translate into action.' A proper foreign policy review and fresh plan are 'long overdue,' said Isfeld, whose organization represents more than 2,000 active and retired members of Canada' foreign service. There is no better time to undertake the project, now that Canada is considering its place in the world in the face of tensions with the U.S., she added. Isfeld said many key issues in the recent election — including defence policy and economic and national sovereignty — are linked to diplomacy and the foreign service. The review should take into account previous studies and involve consultation with public interest groups, Indigenous groups, provinces and municipalities, she said. The last major federal review of the foreign service was released in 2005 under then-prime minister Paul Martin. The government has mapped out strategies in recent years on Africa, the Indo-Pacific and the future of diplomacy. As part of the diplomacy strategy, published in 2023, the government promised to expand Canada's diplomatic footprint abroad. Sen. Peter Boehm, a former foreign service officer, said that for any future review to be effective, it must consult with Canadians because 'there really wasn't that much in the platform.' Boehm was chair of the Senate committee on foreign affairs and international trade in 2023 when it recommended that Global Affairs Canada examine its senior management structure to see how it could reduce the number of senior officials and reallocate resources. Carney has emphasized the need for Canada to diversify its trading partners in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's global trade war. Boehm said that might mean sending more trade commissioners to countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. Isfeld said sending more diplomats abroad likely would require more resources — not just reallocation of current employees. She said staffing is essentially 'bare bones' in many missions, with just one representative in some locations. 'There shouldn't be a section or a team in any embassy where there isn't at least a backup,' she said. Isfeld said ensuring there are at least two staffers in every mission probably would involve increasing the number of foreign service staff by at least 50 to 60 per cent. The government also should consider hiring more Canada-based employees, depending on its priorities, as some divisions at Global Affairs Canada are 'really understaffed,' she added. Isfeld said some foreign service officers working in the United States have concerns about political issues in the country and a lack of access to services. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'I think people are feeling nervous and that's going to translate when they talk to the people who are interested in replacing them,' she said. 'It's a shame because this is where we're really going to need really good people.' Boehm said Canada faces a 'real inflection point in global relations' because the 'old order' is being challenged by the United States. He said he is looking to the coming throne speech for details about Carney's plans for Canada's presence abroad. 'This will be the opportunity for the government, for the prime minister, to set up that ambitious agenda that he was talking about during the campaign,' Boehm said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2025.
