The federal government announced that Carleton alumni Perry Calderwood and Janice Charette were appointed to be High Commissioners to Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK), respectively, on July 19.
This is not Charette’s first high-profile appointment. According to a Carleton Newsroom release, after graduating from the Sprott School of Business in 1984, Charette worked in the private sector, then in the government.
She became the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet in October 2014 while Stephen Harper was Prime Minister. In addition to that role, she held a variety of positions in other federal government offices from 2001 until now.
“At least 16 graduates are currently serving as ambassadors in countries across the globe, as well as at bodies such as the United Nations and European Union [EU],” said Christopher Cline, Carleton media relations officer, in an email.
“Carleton is proud of the accomplishments of its alumni and diplomatic appointments represent a significant achievement for our graduates,” he said.
He noted the university keeps up with news on alumni to track the accomplishments of its graduates.
Robert Shepherd, an associate professor and supervisor with the School of Public Policy & Administration at Carleton, said in an email that the government appoints people to diplomatic positions based on the leadership they specifically will offer. He said diplomatic shuffles are not uncommon.
“For high profile relationships, such as the US, UK, Australia, NATO, EU, UN, etc. high profile appointees are designated,” Shepherd said.
“With respect to Janice Charette, it is a long tradition that Clerks [of the Privy Council], once they have completed their terms, will be appointed to ambassadorial positions in high profile countries. [Charette] is no exception.”
Shepherd said that Charette will have to make sure Canada’s interests are protected with the UK’s recent vote to leave the EU.
“It would be an insult to the UK if a low profile appointee were named,” Shepherd said.
“In the case of Perry Calderwood, Canada has a very uneasy relationship with Pakistan, and again, a strong and informed appointee is needed to manage several files, including most obviously our security interests,” Shepherd said. “Sending a junior diplomat to Pakistan has never made sense, and this appointment is no exception.”
