The Foreign Service Journal, March 2005

Canadian diplomats must demon- strate proficiency in French and English. If they do not have sufficient bilingual expertise upon entry, they receive language training (while receiving only 80 percent of normal pay) and “will go no further” (a euphemism for firing) if they do not qualify linguistically within 12 months of entry. This probationary period includes professional and on-the-job training in Ottawa and a two- or three- year overseas posting. Employees bid on five assignments, but can be assigned to any Canadian mission. There are evaluations at 18, 36, 48 and 60 months, and only those with “fully satisfactory” performance be- come career diplomats after five years, about 18 months longer than under the American system. On the other hand, nearly all of them achieve tenure and enter the next level. Of course, there is an obvious downside to recruiting the most high- ly qualified young Canadians and keeping them at the probationary level for so long, especially since the work is demanding and the pay is rel- atively low: they tend to quit. A 1998 study determined that approximately 25 percent of new diplomats resigned within seven or eight years, citing low pay, poor advancement prospects and family/spouse constraints. Mid-Level. After tenure, Cana- dian diplomats undergo annual employee evaluations as they strive to move up the career ladder, just as U.S. Foreign Service personnel do. Because promotions are severely restricted by the available number of positions at the top, most Canadian diplomats stagnate for years waiting to enter the Executive Service, often slogging through a succession of later- al assignments. Adding to their frus- tration, they are always assignable to positions lower than their current one, whereas U.S. diplomats at least have a sense of progress from FS-3 to 2 to 1. Each year, PAFSO says, there are about 700 potential candidates for just 22 senior-level vacancies, but only about 400 actually apply. Thus, only about 5 percent of the applicants in any given year cross the senior threshold. M A R C H 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 45 Unlike the U.S. system, with six diplomatic ranks and three “flag ranks,” Canada’s Foreign Service has just three basic levels. Interim Accommodations for Corporate and Government Markets Apartments, Townhouses & Single Family Homes “FOR THE EXECUTIVE ON THE MOVE” h finder5@IX.netcom.com Locations throughout Northern Virginia and D.C. Units fully furnished, equipped and accessorized Many “Walk to Metro” locations Pet Friendly 5105-L Backlick Road, Annandale, Virginia Tel: (703) 354-4070 Fax: (703) 642-3619 Executive Lodging Alternatives