Canadian Studies Hosts Bob Rae, "Canada's Voice"

The Committee on Canadian Studies hosted on April 9 an insightful and sometimes pointed discussion with someone who’s been at the center of Canadian public life for five decades: Bob Rae.

Prime Minister Mark Carney dubbed Rae “Canada’s voice” just before Rae wrapped up his tenure last fall as Ambassador to the United Nations. The monicker seemed appropriate given the prominent role Rae played in New York, including through blunt but still diplomatic critiques of the Trump administration. 

Rae ranged widely throughout the 90-minute event, including during an opening discussion with Drew Fagan, a Professor at the University of Toronto’s Munk School and a Visiting Professor and Fulbright Fellow at Yale (2025/26). Rae moved seamlessly from U.S./Canada   relations now and historically to Canadian politics to the evolving role of multilateral institutions and Canada’s key part in them. 

More specifically, Rae began his remarks by reflecting on how he has lived a life immersed in the realm of public service from his earliest days. The son of a Canadian career diplomat (whose postings included Ambassador to the United Nations), Rae discussed how his cross-border childhood shaped his professional development. Indeed, he underscored that the interests he developed as a child and young adult led him to a career that weaved in and out of elected office, law and academia, human rights promotion, and diplomacy, all the while advocating for international cooperation. His two most prominent roles were as Premier of the Province of Ontario and Interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Such experiences, in turn, informed his posting as Canadian UN Ambassador from 2020 to 2025 – a time of tempests and transitions with the COVID-19 pandemic, military conflict in Ukraine, and rising nationalist sentiment globally.

He stressed that Canada faces unique challenges, especially with the United States, but that the country is not alone in navigating shifting geopolitics nor without allies and partners. Rae pointed to the positive reception Mark Carney’s January address at the World Economic Forum received as evidence of the potential for bridge-building. 

Joined in conversation with Ernesto Zedillo, Frederick Iseman ’74 Director of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization and former President of Mexico, Rae emphasized the importance of planning collaboratively and proactively for North American trade negotiations now underway. Rae and Zedillo have been friends for many years.