Chris Westdal | |
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Canadian Ambassador to Ireland | |
In office September 20, 2006 –December 7, 2006 | |
Canadian Ambassador to Russia | |
In office July 15, 2003 –July 28, 2006 | |
Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine | |
In office August 1995 –August 1998 | |
Canadian Ambassador to South Africa | |
In office August 1991 –1993 | |
Canadian Ambassador to Burma and Bangladesh | |
In office September 1982 –1985 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Swan River Valley,Manitoba | September 13,1947
Nationality | Canadian |
Occupation | Diplomat |
Christopher William Westdal (born September 13,1947) is a Canadian former ambassador.
Born in Swan River Valley,Manitoba,he obtained a bachelor's degree in political science from St. John's College in Winnipeg. [1]
He is a former Ambassador to Ireland having served from September 2006 to December 2006, [2] and Russia,from 2003 to 2006. [3] [4] Westdal served as Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva from 1999 to 2003;He was the ambassador to Ukraine from January 1996 to August 1998.; [5] South Africa from 1991 to 1993 and Bangladesh [6] &Burma from 1982 to 1985. Westdal's assignments abroad included India and Nepal from 1973 to 1975,responsible for Canadian International Development Agency ("CIDA") programming and Tanzania from 1970 to 1973.
Westdal is a member of the Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA). [7] He was the board chair of Silver Bear,a Russian mining company,until he resigned due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. [8]
He is noted for having defended the reputation of Vladimir Putin prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine,notably before the media [9] and several parliamentary committees. [10] He is quoted as having previously referred to Putin as one of the "finest leaders Russia’s had in centuries". [11]