Rideau Hall, Monday, November 25, 2013

I am delighted to welcome each of you to Rideau Hall and to Canada.

Here in Canada, you may know we enjoy a long history of diplomacy, practised not just internationally with distant nations but right here at home.

In fact, newcomers from Europe and Aboriginal peoples have been practising diplomacy and negotiating alliances and treaties in this land since at least the 17th century.

Traditionally, First Nations diplomacy has been symbolized by the wampum belt, a beaded, woven representation of the treaty or agreement being reached.

The Europeans, on the other hand, formed alliances using written, signed treaties, as was custom in their countries of origin.

In Canada, these two traditions came together to form a kind of “hybrid diplomacy,” to borrow a phrase from a recent exhibit on the Royal Proclamation—an early example of diplomacy in this land—at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. 

I quote:

“The diplomacy that developed in North America was a blend of Aboriginal and European political worlds. The imagery-laden oral and symbolic traditions of First Nations were combined with the more straightforward and formal approach of Europeans.”

This is part of our unique and fascinating diplomatic heritage in Canada, one in which each of you is now a participant.

No doubt you will learn more about our history during your time here, and I encourage you to share with us your respective diplomatic traditions, which can only improve our mutual understanding and co-operation.

Ambassador Beleavschi, I warmly welcome you as Moldova’s first resident ambassador to Ottawa. Congratulations on this latest posting in your impressive foreign service career. Your experience in North America and in Europe will no doubt serve you well in Canada, and I wish you the very best in your new role.

Canada is very pleased that Moldova has chosen to open an embassy in Ottawa, a development which highlights the growing relationship between our two countries. Our common membership in La Francophonie, as well as our active parliamentary exchanges and the contributions of Moldovan-Canadian communities, also offers diverse avenues for co-operation.

Ambassador Pisan, it gives me great pleasure to extend greetings to you as the Kingdom of Thailand’s chief representative to Canada. I look forward to hearing more about your long and distinguished diplomatic career, and to speaking with you about your country and Southeast Asia generally—a region I have visited as governor general. I wish you well in adjusting to your new surroundings in Ottawa.

Canada and Thailand are fortunate to share a unique and diverse bilateral relationship. Our two countries co-operate on a range of important issues, including education, innovation, defence, and economic development. Canada appreciates Thailand’s support and friendship and looks forward to working with you to continue to strengthen our ties.

Ambassador Barak, I am pleased to welcome you to Ottawa for this important diplomatic assignment. I am certain that you will find your time in Canada to be a stimulating and rewarding chapter in your long and varied career. Your ability to speak both French and English, among other languages, will also serve you well. Please accept my best wishes for success in your new role.

Canada and Israel enjoy a strong and multifaceted relationship based on shared values and interests, as well as strong political and social ties. Our people-to-people ties are particularly strong, with some 25 000 Canadians living in Israel, and the Jewish community in Canada numbering approximately 315 000. We look forward to continued co-operation in areas including security, defence, trade and investment, international development, and innovation.

Let me close by congratulating each of you on your new roles and thanking you for your interest in working with Canada.

I often refer to this residence, Rideau Hall, as the home of the people of Canada, and you are also most welcome here.

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Thank you.