About Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada represents Canada around the world through its network of embassies, consulates and trade offices, and through its participation in multilateral institutions and international treaties and arrangements. We help Canadian companies expand and succeed internationally by promoting Canada as a dynamic place in which to do business and by negotiating and administering trade agreements. We ensure the security of Canadians within a global framework, and promote Canadian values and culture on the international stage.

We also offer travel assistance and passport services to Canadians, at home and abroad.

In this section, you will find information on the Department, our employees, employment and careers, our library and information services, and publications.

More about the Department

On February 6, 2006, the day of his swearing-in, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the reintegration of the departments of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to ensure a coherent approach to foreign affairs and international commerce and to better coordinate the provision of services to Canadians both at home and abroad. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of International Trade are supported by their respective divisions in the new Department. CIDA is also part of this portfolio to ensure a coordinated approach to international development.

• Prime Minister Harper announces new Ministry and reaffirms government priorities - February 6, 2006
  (News Release and Backgrounder)
• Strategic Planning and Priorities Framework (PDF)
• Conduct Abroad Code
• Lester B. Pearson Building
• Department in History
• O.D. Skelton Memorial Lecture

Find an Employee

Search our online directory to find any of our staff quickly and easily. You'll also find a list of our Canadian representatives located in more than 270 offices in over 180 countries.

• Directory of Departmental Employees
• Canadian Representatives Abroad
• Canada's Trade Offices Abroad
• Foreign Service Community Association

Employment

Whether they are based in Canada or abroad, our employees strive to bring Canada to the world and the world to Canada, and improve Canada's trade relations and activities. As with many federal government departments, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada recruits most of its employees through the Public Service Commission. The Department also holds a yearly exam to assess foreign service candidates as part of our recruitment campaign.

• Canadian Foreign Service Recruitment Campaign
• The Canadian Public Service Commission

Are you a non-Canadian interested in working at one of our embassies, high commissions or consulates abroad? If so, please contact them directly.

Note: We cannot help you find employment in Canada. Please go to http://www.jobsetc.ca/ to take advantage of the Government of Canada's Jobs, Workers, Training and Careers Web site.

Training

We also provide ongoing foreign service training and co-op programs for students, as well as language training for other departments and the general public.

• Professional Development and Language Training
• Fellowships for students
  • The Norman Robertson Fellowship
  • The Cadieux Léger Fellowship
  • Human Security Fellowships
• Hiring of Students

Contracting

• Contracting with the Department

Library and Information Services

Our Library holds a unique collection of material in areas of research relevant to the mandate of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Selected services are available to members of the public conducting research in these subject areas. The Library is open to the public Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays).

Visit the Library Web site, The LINK, or contact us by:

Telephone: (613) 992-6150

E-mail: infotech@international.gc.ca

See the list of resources below or contact our Enquiries Service directly if you cannot find what you are looking for.

• Enquiries Service
• Access to Information and Privacy Protection
• Office of Protocol (includes Foreign Representatives in Canada)
• Diplomatic Notices re: Applications for Compulsory License under Bill C-9

Publications

The Department undergoes independent reviews, including audits and evaluations. You'll find these reports in this section, as well as copies of lectures and all of our news releases, media advisories and speeches.

• Minister Speeches, News Releases and Media Advisories
• Deputy Ministers' Speeches
• Reports
  • Audit and Evaluation Reports
  • Planning and Performance Reports
  • Official Languages Annual Review
  • Government On-Line Annual Report