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