Stéphane Dion is a distinguished Canadian diplomat, public servant, and academic.
As Canada’s Ambassador to Germany and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe from 2017 to 2022, he helped deepen Canada’s relationship with Germany while advancing Canada’s interests throughout Europe, for the benefit of people on both sides of the Atlantic.
Prior to this role, he served as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2015 to 2017, where he championed Canadian leadership in the world, including the promotion of universal human rights, peace and stability efforts, the global climate challenge, and Canada’s enduring commitment to multilateralism.
In 2006, he became Leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Commons, a position that he retained until 2008. Mr. Dion was previously Minister of the Environment from 2004 to 2005, when he secured what was praised as one of the greenest budgets in Canada’s history. In 2005, he chaired the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP11/MOP1), where he reconciled the diverging interests of member countries to effectively implement the Kyoto Protocol.
As Minister responsible for Official Languages from 2001 to 2003, he crafted and launched the Action Plan for Official Languages, still used as a reference today. Serving as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs between 1996 and 2003 – longer than any other Canadian since Confederation – Mr. Dion played a primary role promoting Canadian unity.
He served as a Member of Parliament first in 1996, representing Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, and was re-elected seven consecutive times.
Before entering politics, Mr. Dion taught Political Science at Université de Moncton in 1984, then at Université de Montréal from 1984 to 1995. He has authored many scientific articles and books on public administration, organizational studies, political institutions, and environmental policies. He also sat on the External Advisory Board of the Yale Climate and Energy Institute from 2011 to 2015.
Born in Quebec City, Mr. Dion studied at Université Laval before obtaining a Doctorate in Sociology from the Institut d’études politiques in Paris, France. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Carlos III University of Madrid.