October 6, 2005
No. 177
Minister of Foreign Affairs Pierre Pettigrew today announced the following diplomatic
appointments:
James Hill becomes High Commissioner to the Republic of Mozambique.
Brian Oak becomes Consul General in Atlanta (United States of America).
David Sproule becomes Ambassador to Afghanistan.
- 30 -
Biographical notes on the appointees are attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
James Hill (BEd 1983, BA, University of Saskatchewan, 1986; Graduate Diploma,
[International Studies], University Candio Mendes, 1998) joined the Department of
External Affairs and International Trade in 1989 and has served in Tehran, Rio de
Janeiro and Skopje. In Ottawa, he has served as a desk officer, Trade Strategic
Planning Division; as Deputy Director, Western Hemisphere Summits Division; and as
Deputy Director, South America Division. Mr. Hill currently serves as Canada’s Consul
General in Rio de Janeiro. James Hill succeeds Louis-Robert Daigle.
Brian Oak (BA Honours [Soviet and East European Studies], Carleton University, 1973;
MA [International Affairs], Carleton University, 1978) joined the Department of Industry,
Trade and Commerce (ITC) in 1978 and served abroad in Prague, Washington and
Santiago. In Ottawa, he served in the Western Europe Division, ITC; and at the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in the Eastern Europe Division,
the United States Trade Development Division and the Japan Division. From 2000 to
2003, he was Director of the Policy and Strategic Planning Division, and earlier this year
he became Executive Assistant to the Deputy Minister of International Trade. Mr. Oak
and his wife Lydia have two children. Mr. Oak succeeds Malcolm McKechnie.
David Sproule (BA Honours [Political Science], University of Alberta, 1978; LLB,
University of Alberta, 1981) joined the Department of External Affairs in 1981 and
served abroad in Singapore, Bangkok and Washington. In Ottawa, he served in the
Economic Law Division, the Political Intelligence Analysis Division, the Legal Operations
Division, the Privy Council Office, the International Economic Relations and Summit
Division, the Legal Advisory Division, the Oceans and Environmental Law Division and
the United Nations, Human Rights and Economic Law Division. Since 2004, he has
served as Canada’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Mr. Sproule has five children.
He succeeds Christopher Alexander.
