June 13, 2016
Dear friends and colleagues,
My stint as a Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister will be ending
soon. It has been an extraordinary journey. Before the
election, I had the privilege of drafting a foreign policy strategy
for a future Trudeau government, contributing to the development of
the election platform, and helping Mr. Trudeau prepare for his campaign
debates. The University of Ottawa then granted me a leave so that I
could join the Prime Minister's Office to help get the new
government's foreign policy off on the right foot. For someone like
me, who cares deeply about Canada playing a positive and effective
role in global affairs, there is no greater reward than having
contributed in a small way to renewing our country's energetic
leadership and good name in the world. I am grateful to the Prime
Minister for affording me this opportunity.
Although I am not a career political staffer, I am pleased to count
many as new friends. I have admired their dedication, along with
that of my colleagues in Ministers' offices, and I am proud of what
we accomplished together. I was also impressed by the
professionalism of the public servants with whom I worked, and by
their commitment to serving the new government.
I look forward now to resuming my research and teaching in
international relations, enriched by the experience of having worked
in the PMO. I will remain in my current position until June 30,
following the North American Leaders Summit. After a vacation with
my family, I will be back in my university office gearing up for the
new academic year.
Yours,
Roland Paris