OTTAWA — Bob Rae is stepping down as Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) on November 17, concluding his five-year tenure. Rae revealed that he often shared opinions that diverged from the official positions of Global Affairs Canada (GAC), leading to him being nicknamed ‘Hurricane Bob’ within the department.
Rae’s tenure spanned a period marked by critical global events, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the political crisis involving India. He expressed pride that Canada maintained constant engagement on all issues before the UN during his time.
The Ambassador has been known for expressing several views on social media that deviated from official policy lines. He often articulated his own opinions on subjects like the ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and the policies of President Donald Trump, often running contrary to Canada’s official stances.
Rae stated he has no regrets about taking these independent positions, adding that it created a “healthy tension.” He expressed confidence that his successor, David Lametti, will continue to champion Canada’s stance on human rights issues and value-based policies.
