
Cooperating with China on climate
Canada’s former ambassador to Beijing on why Canada should selectively engage with China — despite its imprisonment of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
Former Canadian ambassador to China
Guy Saint-Jacques provides strategic advice on China. He sits on the board of directors of Xebec Adsorption Inc. and of the Foundation of the Montreal Clinical Research Institute. He is a fellow of the China Institute at the University of Alberta, the Institute of International Studies of Montreal and the C.D. Howe Institute. In addition, he is the honorary chairman of the Canada-China SME Group and of the China Policy Centre in Ottawa, as well as a member of the advisory committee of the Quebec section of the Canada-China Business Council. Previously, Saint-Jacques worked for Global Affairs Canada for nearly forty years, serving in Kinshasa, Hong Kong, Beijing, Washington, D.C. and London. He has served as deputy high commissioner in London and as deputy head of mission in Washington. In Ottawa, among other things, he has worked in the divisions dealing with science and technology and energy and environment, in the associate deputy minister’s Office and has been director of assignments and director general of personnel management. In addition, Saint-Jacques was Canada’s chief negotiator and climate change ambassador from 2010 to 2012 and ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary in the People’s Republic of China from 2012 to 2016. Saint-Jacques speaks Mandarin fluently.
Canada’s former ambassador to Beijing on why Canada should selectively engage with China — despite its imprisonment of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.