(No. 285 - September 7, 2010 - 6:15 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, today announced the appointment of Guy Saint-Jacques as chief negotiator and ambassador for climate change, effective immediately.
“Mr. Saint-Jacques has had an extensive career with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada,” said Minister Cannon. “His diplomatic experience will be an extraordinary asset in managing a major multilateral negotiation that is critical not only to Canada’s national interest, but also to our country’s international relations.”
Late last year, over 120 world leaders agreed on a path forward in the global effort to address climate change that culminated in the endorsement of the Copenhagen Accord. The chief negotiator will work to advance Canada’s climate-change goals and provide policy advice on both Canada’s domestic and international climate change strategy.
“Our government is committed to working constructively to implement the Copenhagen Accord and to complete the negotiations for a comprehensive, legally binding post-2012 agreement,” said Minister Prentice. “I am confident that Mr. Saint-Jacques’ extensive international experience will be invaluable as we work to achieve our goal.”
The chief negotiator will represent the Government of Canada at major international forums on climate change, including as the head of delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Mexico later this year.
- 30 -
A biographical note on the appointee follows.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Melissa Lantsman
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
Environment Canada Media Relations Office
819-934-8008
1-888-908-8008
Guy Saint-Jacques [BA [Geology], University of Montreal, 1974; MA [Land Planning and Regional Development], Laval University, 1976] joined the Department of External Affairs in 1977 and has since served abroad in New York City, Mexico City, Kinshasa and Hong Kong, as well as twice in both Beijing and Washington, D.C. He also served in London as deputy high commissioner. At Headquarters, he has served with Consular Affairs, the Francophone Africa Division, the Science and Technology Division and the Office of the Associate Deputy Minister. He also served as deputy director of the Energy and Environment Division, as director of both the Personnel (Political and Commercial) and the Assignments divisions, and as director general of the Personnel Management Bureau. He most recently served as minister and deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Canada to the United States, in Washington. He is married to Sylvie Cameron, and they have two daughters.
