Kevin Hamilton, Ambassador-designate of Canada to the Republic of Türkiye

Biography

Kevin Hamilton was named Canada’s Ambassador to Türkiye, with concurrent accreditation to Azerbaijan and Georgia, on August 15, 2023.

From 2020 to 2023, he served as Director General for International Security Policy at the Foreign Ministry (Global Affairs Canada - GAC). Prior to this appointment, he served for 4 years as Canada’s Ambassador to Romania, Bulgaria, and the Republic of Moldova, with residence in Bucharest (2016 to 2020).

From 2013 to 2016, he was Director of the Eastern Europe and Eurasia Division at GAC, where he was responsible for Canada’s political and trade relations with 19 European and Eurasian countries, covering the Western Balkans to Central Asia.

From 2010 to 2013, he served as Head of Mission at the Canadian Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, with concurrent accreditation as non-resident Deputy Head of Mission for the Canadian Embassy to Estonia; and non-resident Deputy Head of Mission for the Canadian Embassy to Latvia.

Prior to his appointment to Vilnius, he was Head of the Political Section at the High Commission to the United Kingdom, with the diplomatic rank of Counsellor (2007 to 2010). Before London, he was Deputy Director of GAC’s Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding Group; and from 2003 to 2006 was Deputy Director of the Policy Planning Staff, where he served concurrently as international security analyst and as chief advisor to Canada's G7 Political Director.

Mr. Hamilton’s other headquarters assignments have included the Office of the Special Ambassador for Mine Action; the Non-proliferation and Disarmament Division; and the Western Balkans directorate. Overseas, he has also served at Canada's embassies in Tel Aviv (Israel) and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

He holds an M.A. in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University (Ottawa), and a B.A. in International Relations from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver).

He is married to Tal Elizabeth Hamilton, and they have 2 children, Sean and Sarah.