Isabelle Roy becomes Ambassador to the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.
David Sproule becomes Ambassador to Libya.
Biographical Notes
Isabelle Roy (BSc [Mathematics], Université de Montréal, 1983; MSc [Economics], Université de Montréal, 1989; Diploma in Public Administration, École nationale d'administration, Paris, 1996) taught secondary-school mathematics in Gabon, undertook research on economic modelling for developing countries with the Centre de recherche et développement en économique [centre for research and development in economics] in Montréal, and worked as a consultant economist at the World Bank. She began her career with External Affairs and International Trade Canada in 1990 and has held progressively more senior positions in Ottawa in the Francophonie Affairs Division, the Economic and Financial Relations Division, the Western Europe Division and the West and Central Africa Division, where she served as deputy director and director. Ms. Roy has served abroad in Yaoundé and in Paris, at the Canadian embassy and as a member of the Canadian delegation to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, respectively. In 1997, she became the first Canadian diplomat to participate in a diplomatic exchange at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2005 to 2008, Ms. Roy represented Canada as ambassador to Mali. Her most recent position was as director of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Division. Ms. Roy replaces Geneviève des Rivières.
David Sproule (BA Hons [Political Science], University of Alberta, 1978; LL.B., University of Alberta, 1981) began his career as a foreign service officer with the Department of External Affairs in 1981. Following his first posting abroad as third/second secretary in Singapore, Mr. Sproule held a number of positions, including first secretary in Bangkok and first secretary and counsellor in Washington, D.C. From 1999 to 2004, he served as counsel and deputy agent for Canada before the International Court of Justice, in the case of Yugoslavia v. Canada (Legality of Use of Force). Mr. Sproule was first appointed as a head of mission in 2004, serving as high commissioner in Bangladesh, ambassador to Afghanistan, ambassador to Thailand, and most recently, ambassador to Norway. At headquarters, Mr. Sproule's assignments have included deputy director of the Economic Policy and Summits Division within the APEC Division and of the Human Rights Law Section in the Legal Affairs Bureau; director of the Oceans and Environmental Law Division and of the United Nations, Human Rights and Economic Law Division; and deputy legal adviser and director general of the Legal Bureau. Mr. Sproule has also held the position of director of the Asia Division at the Intelligence Assessments Secretariat of the Privy Council Office. Mr. Sproule replaces Colin Townson.