Special Sub-Topic: History of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs Click Here To Play: History of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs

When did Canada's department of External Affairs officially come into being?

1909. On 01 June, 1909 the legislation was passed creating the department of External Affairs.

Who was the first minister of External Affairs?

Charles Murphy. He was the Minister from 1909-1911. At the beginning the ministers were only figureheads. The real power was held by the Prime Minster.

Who was the first woman minister of External Affairs?

Flora MacDonald. She was minister for less than a year (1979 to 1980). Her party under the leadership of Joe Clark was only in power from May, 1979 to February, 1980.

When did the Department of External Affairs add "and International Trade" to its title?

1981. This occured when they combined the Department of External Affairs with the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce. There were two Ministers - one for international trade and one for external relations.

When did the department of External Affairs and International Trade change its name to department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade?

1995. The legislation was adopted in 1995 to encourage the department to get back to what it was supposed to do - advancing Canadian interests abroad.

When did the Lester B Pearson building (headquarters for the Canadian Department of External Affairs) officially open?

1 August, 1973. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the building located near the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. A few sections of the Department are still located in other buildings in Ottawa and Hull.

What are the Canadian offices in the capital cities of the British Commonwealth called?

High Commissions. There are High Commissions in places such as London and Canberra. Embassies can be found in capital cities such as Washington and Jakarta. New York has two Canadian offices; a consulate and a permanent mission (to the United Nations). Overall, Canada has over 270 offices in close to 180 countries.

From 1996 to 2000 Kim Campbell was the head of the Canadian Consulate in what US city?

Los Angeles. She is better known as the first female Prime Minister of Canada for several months in 1993.

Who was the Canadian ambassador to Teheran when the Iranians stormed the US embassy 5 November 1979?

Ken Taylor. The Canadian embassy hid six US citizens until 27 January, 1980 when they and the Canadians left the country. Two of the Americans stayed with Ken Taylor at his residence.

Which Canadian Ambassador to Denmark was recalled to Ottawa on 11 February 2004?

Alfonso Gagliano. This was done just as a report was being released concerning a spending scandal when he was the minister of Public Works.