Global Affairs Canada Podcasts – GAC Files

Kirsten Hillman was appointed as the first female Ambassador to the United States in Washington, D.C., in March 2020. She served as assistant deputy minister of the Trade Agreements and Negotiations Branch at Global Affairs Canada, overseeing all of Canada’s trade policy and trade negotiations. She was also Canada’s chief negotiator for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Like Ms. Hillman, many women trailblazers have made it possible for other women to succeed.

To celebrate this year’s Women History Month theme, She Did, So Now I Can, Sandra McCardell, Assistant Deputy Minister for Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb and Champion for Women at Global Affairs Canada, will discuss how Ambassador Kirsten Hillman succeeded, so others can too.

October 26, 2022 - 18:41 min.
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This episode presents the remarkable and unique reality of 3 locally engaged staff members from around the world. Each in their own way, they serve Canada and Canadians through their meaningful presence abroad. The world of locally engaged staff is diverse in terms of cultural history, and their life experiences can be very different from that of Canadian diplomats or other Canadian public servants.

Emmanuelle Tremblay, Team Lead and contact person for locally engaged staff at Global Affairs Canada, talks with Blanchine Mazanga, Bjorn Hernes and Caroline Urlacher.

June 15, 2022 - 30:09 min.
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David Morrison, Deputy Minister of International Trade, welcomes Sara Wilshaw, Chief Trade Commissioner, as well as 2 CEOs of Black-owned businesses, Karima-Catherine Goundiam and Diemo Honore, who share their stories on what makes businesses able to expand into new markets and the support that was provided to their companies.

February 25, 2022 - 27:12 min.
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Wondering how this year's Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) is being carried out during our current pandemic situation and how your contributions are helping? Then tune in to the latest GAC Files episode, hosted by John Hannaford. Listen to the Deputy Minister's chat with GAC's GCWCC champion, Mala Khanna, and co-champion, Marissa Fortune, along with GAC employees Hasnat Johnson and Jérémie Bérubé, who share their stories of the real and positive impact of making a charitable contribution.

December 8, 2021 - 23:40 min.
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Deputy Minister John Hannaford welcomes Daniel Quan-Watson, Deputy Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), to talk about how his journey in the federal government is helping build a respectful and inclusive work environment and learn from his experiences, as well as tools and best practices he has implemented that will contribute to our internal dialogue at Global Affairs Canada.

November 26, 2021 - 30:35 min.
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Deputy Minister John Hannaford welcomes Kristina Casey, Former Director General, Information Management and Information Technology (IM/IT), now Assistant Deputy Minister in Client Service Delivery and Management Sector at Shared Services Canada and Dan Danagher Assistant Deputy Minister of international platform, to talk about new initiatives currently underway that are expected to have a real and positive impact on employees’ lives in the next 1-2 years, taking into account 21st century realities, including digitization of our work.

November 4, 2021 - 27:22 min.
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In this special National Public Service Week episode, Deputy ministers John Hannaford and Christopher MacLennan welcome Brent Robson, Director of Emergency Operations, and Anne-Marie Spain, who was the management consular officer in Morocco at the time of several repatriation flights in 2020, to talk about their experiences with the largest peacetime repatriation effort in Canada’s history.

June 18, 2021 - 28:52 min.
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Deputy Minister John Hannaford welcomes Bob Rae, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York, to talk about his personal struggles with mental health and the importance of openly discussing these issues—especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 4, 2021 - 27:26 min.
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Deputy Minister John Hannaford welcomes Head of the Anti-Racism Secretariat Myriam Montrat and guests to talk about equity, diversity and inclusion efforts at Global Affairs Canada. Through their personal stories and experiences with the secretariat, participants share their thoughts on departmental actions to combat systemic racism and racial discrimination in the workplace.

April 8, 2021 - 40:57 min.
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Deputy Ministers John Hannaford and Marta Morgan welcome LGBTQ2+ Champion Stewart Wheeler and guests to talk about diversity and inclusion at Global Affairs Canada. Through their personal stories, participants share what it’s like to work at the department as a member of the LGBTQ2+ community.

February 24, 2021 - 48:00 min.
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Deputy Minister John Hannaford welcomes Duane McMullen, Global Affairs Canada’s Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) Champion, as well as campaign volunteers who share their touching stories on the real and positive impact of the campaign.

December 18, 2020 - 19:26 min.
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Deputy Minister John Hannaford welcomes Daniel Campeau, Deputy Director of the Office of Values, Ethics and Workplace Well-being, and colleagues from Headquarters, our Toronto regional office and our mission in Russia, to discuss their experiences integrating and managing new teams, for the most part virtually, during the pandemic.

December 1, 2020 - 26:53 min.
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Representatives from Global Affairs Canada’s Human Resources and 2 other departmental branches discuss with Deputy Minister John Hannaford and co-host André Frenette, Director General and Coordinator of the COVID-19 Task Force, about the programs and measures in place at headquarters buildings, as well as their experiences following their return to the office.

October 29, 2020 - 35:39 min.
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Representatives from Global Affairs Canada missions in Panama and in Ukraine share with Deputy Minister John Hannaford and co-host André Frenette, Director General and Coordinator of the COVID-19 Task Force, their unique experiences following their return to the office, as well as how they managed to remain resilient and overcome challenges in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

October 16, 2020 - 33:43 min.
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Antoine Mindjimba, diversity and inclusion and culture lead for EY Canada, shares compelling examples from the private sector on ways to overcome racial discrimination and provides insight into fostering an inclusive workplace, including through organizational culture change.

July 22, 2020 - 20:52 min.
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On this special episode of the GAC Files, watch a candid and powerful conversation between guest host Leslie MacLean, Deputy Minister of International Development, and Kevin Lunianga, Senior Operations Officer, Emergency Operations. Kevin shares his experiences as a Black Canadian and talks about what it means to be allies and to work together to #EndRacism.

June 29, 2020 - 30:52 min.
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On this episode of GAC Files, host John Hannaford welcomes Charlène Janvier, Bruce Murdock and Luc Raymond from Global Affairs Canada. This special edition of the podcast continues the dialogue begun at the deputy ministers’ May 22 livestreamed town hall, as John and his 3 guests discuss the top questions submitted by employees but not answered during the event.

June 16, 2020 - 26:49 min.
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How are our missions abroad helping thousands of Canadians return home during the global COVID-19 pandemic? Tune in to the latest GAC Files episode as Amanda Strohan, Management Consular Officer at the High Commission of Canada in India (DELHI), provides a glimpse of the challenging, but vital, work she and her team are doing on the ground. #TogetherApart #StayStrong.

June 4, 2020 - 10:47 min.
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What does being diagnosed with #COVID19 feel like? GAC Files host John Hannaford has a candid conversation with Marta Morgan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, on her personal experience and her recovery from the virus. She also shares her thoughts on how Global Affairs Canada employees have adapted and contributed to help Canadians weather the storm from near and far. #TogetherApart #StayStrong

April 27, 2020 - 14:42 min.
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Balancing the demands of a busy family and working from home is a challenge for many during the COVID-19 pandemic. Annie Lirette, from Global Affairs Canada’s Quebec regional office, shares her daily routine of how she stays healthy and focused. Find out how she and her colleagues are using social media to stay connected and positive.

April 24, 2020 - 7:46 min.
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Returning to Canada in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis is a difficult decision to make. Global Affairs Canada employee Laurent-Gabriel Côté-Fournier speaks about the decision to move back home with his young family from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, living in quarantine and striving for a sense of normality.

April 15, 2020 - 8:55 min.
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The COVID-19 crisis demands flexibility both at home and at work. Global Affairs Canada employees Michelle Goodfellow and Nadin Nanji speak about the realities of home-schooling children and balancing work and family responsibilities in the social-distancing era.

April 14, 2020 - 11:34 min.
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The COVID-19 crisis affects us all. Daniel Campeau of Global Affairs Canada’s Office of Values, Ethics and Workplace Well-being speaks about his own experience of living in quarantine after returning from travel outside Canada and the support available to employees and their families in adjusting to the new normal.

April 7, 2020 - 13:16 min.
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Adapting to the new workplace reality of the COVID-19 crisis can be challenging. Find out how Chris Moran of Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service is balancing the responsibilities of work and parenting in the home-based workplace.

April 2, 2020 - 8:59 min.
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We’re talking all things trade on this special podcast highlighting the 125th anniversary of the founding of Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service. Explore with us and find out how Canada #TCS125 is at the cutting edge of innovation with its global network abroad, its Canadian technology accelerators around the world, and its ocean and technology superclusters.

February 25, 2020 - 30:05 min.
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Check out the latest #GACFiles podcast with Sandra McCardell and Sarah Taylor, Global Affairs Canada’s incoming and outgoing champion for women. They chat about their roles as champion, initiatives changing the face of GAC and gender equity progress in the department.

January 09, 2020 - 16:52 min.
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On this special episode of the GAC Files, 3 dynamic champions for the GAC Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign chat with host John Hannaford about why they’ve taken on this year’s campaign challenge. Don’t miss a minute of the podcast as Caroline Leclerc, Myriam Pineault-Latreille and Harkiran Rajasansi share personal stories, encourage us to lift up our communities and remind us how each donation, small or large, has a positive impact on the lives of people in need.

November 27, 2019 - 18:09 min.
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Join the latest #GACFiles conversation with host John Hannaford, Deputy Minister of International Trade, and special guest Marta Morgan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Get to know Marta as she shares some of her hobbies, talks about her go-to podcasts and provides insight into how she built her career by pursuing interesting challenges. Hear what she thinks about leading the department in a complex world environment, the expertise of GAC employees and the unique role senior leaders play in shifting the culture for a greater understanding of mental health and workplace well-being.

November 6, 2019 - 20:11 min.
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This week on the #GACFiles, the tables are turned as representatives of the Young Professionals Network (YPN), Cassandra Morin and Brandon Cove ask host John Hannaford to talk about his illustrious career in the public service and how he maintains a healthy work-life balance. John highlights the importance of mentorship and encourages young professionals not to limit their career opportunities.

August 12, 2019 - 29:25 min.
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On the latest #GACFiles, host John Hannaford engages with Manon Dumas from Special Projects about Global Affairs Canada’s Dialogue Series on Uncomfortable Topics. They chat about the importance of working together as a community to address questions of workplace harassment and other sources of tension. They also talk about how to strengthen our processes, tools and culture so that we can make GAC a better place to work.

July 12, 2019 - 34:58 min.
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Check out GAC Files latest episode as our new host John Hannaford, Deputy Minister of International Trade, has a candid discussion on mental health with special guests Heather DiPenta, Director of Values and Ethics and Workplace Well-Being, and Louise Blais, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN in New York. Find out more about Louise’s personal journey and challenges with mental illness, the importance of destigmatizing, reaching out, supporting each other and speaking up about what mental health really is.

May 08, 2019 - 34:50 min.
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On the latest GAC Files podcast, Antoine Pouliot, Strategist, Advocacy and Cultural Diplomacy, talks about how his previous work in the private and non-profit sectors led him to his current role promoting Canadian art and culture through our missions abroad.

March 11, 2019 - 32:33 min.
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On this episode of the GAC Files, Aleena Esmail, Andreia Santos, Poya Saffari and Roxanne Hamel, young Global Affairs Canada public servants, discuss Canada Beyond 150: Policy for a Diverse and Inclusive Future, which is an incredible opportunity to contribute to complex issues using foresight, design thinking and co-creation. Find out more about their contributions—providing unique ideas and diverse solutions, working cross-functionally and collaborating to tackle issues and create policies that serve Canadians.

February 19, 2019 - 36:18 min.
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Join the latest conversation, with guest Jean-Dominique Ieraci, Deputy Head of Mission and Minister Counsellor (Trade), as he chats about trade diplomacy, the Trade Commissioner Service and its evolution, as well as the importance of having the right manager and mentor to guide you with frank conversations throughout your career.

February 12, 2019 - 33:28 min.
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Host David Morrison talks with Alison LeClaire, Senior Arctic Officer and Director General for Arctic, Eurasian and European Affairs, about her experiences during her postings in South Africa and Latin America, her perspective as a woman working in foreign service while raising a family and her new challenge in one of the department’s most interesting bureaus.

December 24, 2018 - 28:43 min.
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On the latest episode of the GAC Files, host David Morrison has a fascinating exchange with guest Giuseppe Basile about Global Affairs Canada’s consular affairs, the Hague Convention, the heart-wrenching difficulties of helping Canadian children and families in crisis abroad and finding a healthy work/life balance.

December 5, 2018 - 29:50 min.
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Host David Morrison talks with Marcy Grossman, Consul General, on the importance of trade and Canada’s economic ties with the United States, how all politics is local, having ambition and her remarkable leadership of locally engaged staff.

November 26, 2018 - 40:04 min.
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Host David Morrison chats with Paul Maddison, Canada’s High Commissioner in Australia, about trading a naval career for diplomacy and how he successfully made the transition.

November 7, 2018 - 31:06 min.
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This week in the GAC Files, host David Morrison talks with guest Deborah Chatsis, who shares her experiences as an Indigenous woman in her postings abroad, her fascinating career and her work advocating for a foreign service that is reflective of Canada and its demographics.

October 26, 2018 - 27:30 min.
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This week on the GAC Files, host David Morrison exchanges views with former deputy minister Peter Boehm, in front of a live Global Affairs Canada audience, as he reflects on a 37-year career with the department. Find out more about Peter’s legacy of leadership and inspiration to the Global Affairs Canada family, destigmatizing mental health and offering his impressions of the evolution of our department.

October 11, 2018 - 23:36 min.
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Follow the exchange between David Morrison and his latest GAC Files guest, Rasha Al-Katta, as they discuss being a millennial Global Affairs Canada person and her vision of life, including inclusiveness, focusing on youth and the positive, working with refugees and being a volunteer guru.

October 3, 2018 - 31:37 min.
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Host David Morrison chats with Myriam Pineault-Latreille and Deena Allam about a variety of topics, including being young professionals at Global Affairs Canada, the Next Gen Youth network and their outlook on the department, including their views on the importance of diversity.

September 21, 2018 - 31:29 min.
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Host David Morrison talks with Shauna Hemingway about how following her passions led her to great opportunities in communications, trade and ultimately a career in foreign service as head of mission to the Dominican Republic.

August 30, 2018 - 29:09 min.
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Host David Morrison chats with Kumar Gupta about how his training as an engineer led to a career in international development and then to becoming a head of mission. He also chats about his interest in Africa.

August 21, 2018 - 24:16 min.
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Host David Morrison gets together with David Da Silva who talks about starting out in Canada’s foreign service, the importance of putting people first and being co-chair of GAC’s LGBTQ+ employee network.

August 16, 2018 - 33:44 min.
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Host David Morrison interviews Sacha Levasseur-Rivard  about his career path from journalist to foreign service officer in Canada’s diplomatic corps. Sacha speaks about the importance of mentorship, giving young people a voice and the value of humility.

August 2, 2018 - 34:29 min.
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Host David Morrison talks with Canada’s Executive Coordinator for Syria Sebastien Beaulieu about the challenges of raising children in a household where both parents are career diplomats, balancing teaching with diplomacy and promoting diversity and inclusion in the Middle East.

July 24, 2018 - 30:03 min.
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Host David Morrison talks with Jennifer Kleniewski, a self-described foreign service brat, about growing up abroad and then finding her own career path with the department’s Critical Incidents Task Force. It’s the team that coordinates Canada’s whole of government response to critical incidents, such as hostage takings and kidnappings.

July 16, 2018 - 32:31 min.
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Host David Morrison interviews Heather DiPenta about how her start in the public service as an ergonomist led to her current position as Global Affairs Canada’s lead on values and ethics, her thoughts on mental health and why addressing harassment in the workplace is so important.

July 9, 2018 - 36:55 min.
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Host David Morrison gets together with Craig Kowalik, Team Leader of the Missions of the Future Project, to  chat about his time in Venezuela and being a diplomat there, serving the Prince of Wales and his interest in using international development to promote democracy.

June 28, 2018 - 29:07 min.
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Host David Morrison chats with Patricia Penã, Canada’s Ambassador to Chile, about being raised by immigrant parents in Toronto, her years with the United Kingdom Electoral Commission and her interest in democratic governance and human rights issues. You may notice a small issue with the audio on the podcast (due to a technical difficulty). But rest assured the conversation is as lively as always.

June 20, 2018 - 28:22 min.
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Host David Morrison talks with Janice Charette, Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, about her earlier job as head of the public service, mental health, and spotting talent.

June 13, 2018 - 36:42 min.
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Host David Morrison interviews Francis Trudel about his journey from his career with Canada’s National Defence to taking the helm of Global Affairs Canada’s Human Resources Branch.

June 5, 2018 - 36:18 min.
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Host David Morrison gets together with Peter M. Boehm, Deputy Minister for the G7 Summit and Personal Representative of the Prime Minister, to chat about how he got started in the foreign service, balancing a career while raising a special needs child and the challenges of being Canada’s G7 sherpa.

May 28, 2018 - 28:48 min.
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Host David Morrison chats with Stefanie Beck, Assistant Deputy Minister of Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb Branch, Global Affairs Canada, about becoming a head of mission at the age of 34, balancing work and life as a single mother, her decision to leave Global Affairs Canada and then come back.

May 18, 2018 - 29:43 min.
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Host David Morrison explains what the GAC Files is all about.

June 4, 2018 - 13:25 min.
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