FORMER Ontario premier and former interim leader of the federal Liberal Party, Bob Rae, has been appointed as ambassador and permanent representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday. Rae will succeed Marc-André Blanchard.

Trudeau said that Rae brings a wealth of experience to the role, most recently serving as Canada’s Special Envoy on Humanitarian and Refugee Issues, building on his earlier work as Canada’s Special Envoy to Myanmar. In these positions, Rae closely collaborated with the UN and the international community to help lead Canada’s efforts to address pressing humanitarian and refugee issues around the world.

Trudeau said: “Mr. Rae will build on the work of the outgoing ambassador to help advance Canada’s interests abroad, including to further sustainable development and address the impacts of climate change. We will continue to engage our international partners and promote the Canadian values of peace, freedom, democracy, and human rights as we move forward in a time of global uncertainty.”

Trudeau added: “Bob Rae has dedicated his life to serving Canadians and our country, and his experience and thoughtful approach will serve us well in this new role as our Ambassador to the United Nations. Together, we will strengthen our international relationships and continue to fully engage on the world stage to help build a better future that benefits everyone.”

Rae told Radio-Canada, the CBC’s French-language service, that his father, Saul Rae, was a career diplomat who also served as Canada’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva and New York between 1972 and 1976.