Canadian International Council Presents
The Red Passport
Named for the special passport carried by Canadian diplomats on official duty abroad, The Red Passport invites listeners inside the world of Canadian foreign policy. Hosts Louise Blais, Jeremy Kinsman, and Peter Donolo – each of whom has held the real Red Passport during defining moments in Canadian history – bring deep experience, sharp insight, and spirited perspectives to the mic.
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Sometimes they disagree, often they debate, but always with respect and conviction. In every episode of this CIC podcast, they hand listeners their own “Red Passport,” offering a front-row seat to how Canadian governments and policymakers navigate an increasingly turbulent world – pursuing our interests abroad while staying true to our values.
Contact us at redpassport@thecic.org with your comments and feedback.
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Meet the Hosts
PETER DONOLO
Peter Donolo holds the record as the longest-serving Director of Communications for a Canadian Prime Minister – under Prime Minister Jean Chretien. As the former Vice Chair of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada and a partner at the Strategic Counsel, he provided strategic communications counsel to CEOs, government departments, and public agencies. With a diverse career including roles as Senior VP of Air Canada, Chief of Staff for Michael Ignatieff, and Canadian Consul General in Milan, Italy, Peter currently holds vice chair positions in three notable not-for-profits and serves on the boards of Journalists for Human Rights, CIVIX, PEN Canada, and Transparency International Canada. Residing in Toronto with his wife Mary Cruden, they have three children.
LOUISE BLAIS
Louise Blais, former Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN (2017-2021), played a pivotal role in the 2030 Agenda and the Security Council campaign. Elected Vice-Chair of the UNICEF Executive Board in 2019, she co-facilitated the resolution for the 31st Special Session on COVID-19. Blais initiated her career as an Art Theft Analyst at Interpol, later excelling in diverse roles such as Program Manager, Director of Public Diplomacy, and Consul General in Atlanta.
JEREMY KINSMAN
Over 40 years in Canada’s Foreign Service, Jeremy Kinsman held key ambassador positions 1992-2006 in Moscow, Rome, London, and Brussels (EU). Prior notable postings included Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York and Minister for Political Affairs in Washington. In Ottawa, he was Chair of Policy Planning, and Political Director over the end of the Cold War. Post-government service, he directed an international project for the Community of Democracies that produced A Diplomat’s Handbook on Democracy Development Support. Kinsman, an influential speaker and media commentator, was Diplomat in Residence at Princeton University, Regents’ Lecturer and Resident International Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, and Ryerson University’s Diplomatic Visitor. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the CIC.
Latest Episode
Canada’s European Pivot: Now What? with Sir Graham Watson
Canada and Europe have been growing closer for years but after an extraordinary week in Strasbourg, the relationship may be entering entirely new territory.
All Episodes
How Does Trump End This? with Jon Allen
Military conflicts are easy to start and painfully difficult to end.
Decoding CUSMA with Louise Blais
Louise Blais returns for a special episode on CUSMA, joining Peter Donolo and Jeremy Kinsman to unpack the next phase of North American trade negotiations.
Does the Trump-Xi Summit Signal a G2 World? with Howard Balloch
Just days before Donald Trump is set to meet Xi Jinping in Beijing, Jeremy Kinsman and Peter Donolo welcome back Howard Balloch, Canada’s former ambassador to China, to discuss the state of play heading into the summit and various scenarios that may emerge from it.
Optimism Gap with Jon Allen
Canadians are unusually anxious about the world, polling suggests, but relatively confident about Canada. Jeremy Kinsman and Peter Donolo welcome back former Canadian ambassador Jon Allen for a wide-ranging discussion on the Middle East, Cuba, U.S. power and Canada’s place in a more volatile international order.
When Diplomacy Disappears
What do countries lose when they no longer have diplomats on the ground? Louise, Jeremy and Peter examine how the absence of embassies and diplomatic relations can distort judgment, weaken consular protection and leave governments relying on weaker intelligence, intermediaries and guesswork.