Chris Westdal
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Chris Westdal
| image = Ambassadors of nine states presented their credentials to President Putin, Chris Westdal (2003)-101.jpg
| imagesize = Chris Westdal in 2003
| office = Canadian Ambassador to Ireland
| term_start = {{start date|2006|09}}
| term_end = {{start date|2006|12}}
| office1 = Canadian Ambassador to Russia
| term_start1 = {{start date|2003}}
| term_end1 = {{start date|2006}}
| office2 = Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine
| term_start2 = {{start date|1996|01}}
| term_end2 = {{start date|1998|08}}
| office3 = Canadian Ambassador to South Africa
| term_start3 = {{start date|1991}}
| term_end3 = {{start date|1993}}
| office4 = Canadian Ambassador to Bangladesh & Burma
| term_start4 = {{start date|1982}}
| term_end4 = {{start date|1985}}
| predecessor =
| successor =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1947|09|13}}
| birth_place = Swan River Valley, Manitoba
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Diplomat
| nationality = Canadian
}}
Chris Westdal (born September 13, 1947) is a Canadian former ambassador.
Early life and education
Born in Swan River Valley, Manitoba, he obtained a bachelor's degree in political science from St. John's College in Winnipeg.[https://www.scribd.com/full/16252989?access_key=key-2a06z6ueegawrfxmiz7r Canada names new ambassador to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Weekly No. 37 sunday, september 10, 1995]
Career
He is a former Ambassador to Ireland having served from September 2006 to December 2006,List of ambassadors and high commissioners of Canada to Ireland and Russia, between the years 2003–2006.;{{Cite web |url=http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2000_11/wulf.asp |title=Arms Control Association |access-date=2008-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012014732/http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2000_11/wulf.asp |archive-date=2008-10-12 |url-status=dead }}[http://www.tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=108180 Thunder Bay Post Notice]{{dead link|date=March 2013}} Westdal served as Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva from 1999 to 2003; He was the ambassador to Ukraine from January 1996 to August 1998.;[http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/ukraine/offices-bureaux/ambassadors-ambassadeurs.aspx?lang=eng&view=d Canadian Government Site Ukraine] South Africa from 1991 to 1993 and Bangladesh{{cite web |title=Foreign News Briefs |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/02/02/Foreign-News-Briefs/5566413010000/ |publisher=UPI |access-date=3 March 2022 |date=February 2, 1983}} & Burma from 1982 to 1985. Westdal's assignments abroad included India and Nepal from 1973 to 1975, responsible for Canadian International Development Agency ("CIDA") programming and Tanzania from 1970 to 1973.
Westdal is a member of the Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA).{{cite web |url=http://www.cerbanet.org/public/index.php?page_id=1 |title=Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association -> About CERBA |accessdate=2014-03-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210052043/http://www.cerbanet.org/public/index.php?page_id=1 |archivedate=2014-02-10 }} He was the board chair of Silver Bear, a Russian Mining company, until he resigned due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite web |title=Silver Bear Announces Resignation Of Director |url=https://www.silverbearresources.com/news-and-events/news/2022/02/28/silver-bear-announces-resignation-of-director |access-date=3 March 2022}}
Controversy
He is noted for having defended the reputation of Vladimir Putin until this point - notably before the media{{cite web |title=THE COMMON WISDOM ABOUT RUSSIA IS NOT WISE: LOOKING BEYOND THE PROPAGANDA |url=http://espritdecorps.ca/perspectives-1/the-common-wisdom-about-russia-is-not-wise-looking-beyond-the-propaganda |publisher=Esprit de Corps |access-date=3 March 2022 |date=May 5, 2017}} and several parliamentary committees.{{cite web |title=Mr. Chris Westdal (Former Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine and Russia, As an Individual) at the National Defence Committee |url=https://openparliament.ca/committees/national-defence/42-1/63/chris-westdal-1/only/ |website=openparliament.ca |access-date=3 March 2022}} He is quoted as having previously referred to Putin as one of the "finest leaders Russia’s had in centuries".{{cite web |title='I was wrong': Ex-Canadian ambassador who called Putin among 'finest' leaders cuts Russia ties |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/i-was-wrong-ex-canadian-ambassador-who-called-putin-among-finest-leaders-cuts-russia-ties/ar-AAUy88A?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531 |publisher=National Post |access-date=3 March 2022}}
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Westdal, Chris}}
Category:Ambassadors of Canada to Russia
Category:Ambassadors of Canada to Ukraine
Category:Ambassadors of Canada to Ireland
Category:Ambassadors of Canada to Armenia
Category:High commissioners of Canada to Bangladesh
Category:People from Parkland Region, Manitoba
Category:University of Manitoba alumni
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