One or two diplomats and mostly family members have left Canada’s missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah. Pam Isfeld says about 20 Canada-based staff were in the area and that evacuating non-essential staff in such situations is not unusual.
Read the articleGlobal Affairs Canada is deploying a team of specialized staff to support its emergency response to the Israel–Hamas war. Pam Isfeld says about 20 Canada-based staff, mostly foreign service officers, are in the affected areas.
Read the articleIRCC is setting up an independent ombudsperson’s office to address racism and discrimination complaints. Pam Isfeld says PAFSO, which represents IRCC staff abroad, was not formally consulted.
“We have not been formally consulted.”
Experts welcome the tone of the minister’s report on transforming Global Affairs Canada but say the real challenge will be implementing it, and that the situation is urgent.
Read the articleThe government’s plan to cut travel, consulting and professional services by about 15 per cent could hurt departments that rely on international engagement. Pam Isfeld questions why travel was lumped in with professional services.
“Why are those lumped together? I don’t understand.”
A National Post investigation finds Global Affairs Canada risk-averse, Ottawa-centric and top-heavy, with the same problems identified for four decades. Pam Isfeld says not much has changed since the McDougall commission.
“We’ve been identifying the same issues, you know, for 40-some years since the McDougall commission report.”
The Indo-Pacific Strategy promises more diplomatic capacity in the region but offers few details about the new demands on the foreign service. Pam Isfeld welcomes more positions but questions whether the service has the people to fill them.
“I’m not quite sure that the rubber meets the road, and that’s always where the problem comes in.”
A report by a Canadian diplomat warns that keeping a generalist foreign service, instead of building subject-matter expertise, risks leaving Canada behind its allies. Pam Isfeld says the service must be staffed properly so it doesn’t have to scramble for each crisis.
Read the articleOttawa won’t say whether it will follow the United States in compensating diplomats affected by Havana Syndrome. Pam Isfeld says members most want answers.
“Let’s get to the bottom of what this is so that we can figure out what the best way of helping people is.”
Analysts say singling out one Global Affairs Canada official for attending a Russian Embassy event was unfair, calling it a failure of process. Pam Isfeld agrees.
“We think it’s a bit unfair that she’s the one out there on this.”