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Welcome to The Diplomats, our Policy email interview series featuring ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to Canada. In each instalment, Policy Contributing Writer Maureen Boyd, C.M. — co-author of ‘The Diplomats Guide to Canada’ whose career has spanned politics, government, media, and who for decades accompanied her diplomat husband on postings around the world — explores the bilateral issues, foreign policy priorities, and global perspectives shaping the world’s diplomacy with Canada.

Ambassador Hanna-Leena Korteniemi of Finland

Finnish Ambassador to Canada Hanna-Leena Korteniemi/MS Anne-Marie Brisson, Rideau Hall

Her Excellency Hanna-Leena Korteniemi has been Finland’s Ambassador to Canada since January 2025. Before coming to Ottawa, she spent five years as Director of the Unit for North America in Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Her earlier postings include Finland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and its Embassy in Washington. “I have described Finns and Canadians as kindred spirits, carved from the same block of ice,” Ambassador Korteniemi tells Maureen Boyd, “and I mean that in the best possible sense.” From October 28, 2026, here is The Diplomats: Finnish Ambassador Hanna-Leena Korteniemi.

Ambassador Signe Burgstaller of Sweden

Swedish Ambassador to Canada Signe Burgstaller/Embassy of Sweden

Her Excellency Signe Burgstaller has been Sweden’s Ambassador to Canada since 2023. A career diplomat, Ambassador Burgstaller previously served as Ambassador to Sudan and South Sudan and to Moldova, and as Sweden’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. “I arrived in Ottawa at a moment when our bilateral relationship entered a new and increasingly dynamic phase,” Ambassador Burgstaller tells Maureen Boyd. “Sweden and Canada are no longer just two Northern like-minded countries and partners; we are also Allies. And that does make all the difference.” From September 21, 2026, here is The Diplomats: Swedish Ambassador Signe Burgstaller.

High Commissioner Shazelaina Abidin of Malaysia

Malaysian High Commissioner to Canada Dr. Shazelina Zainul Abidin/Malaysian High Commission

Her Excellency Shazelina Zainul Abidin served as High Commissioner of Malaysia to Canada from December 2024 to July 2026. A veteran of nearly 30 years with the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abidin headed the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations of Malaysia (IDFR) from 2021 to 2023. “There are many unexplored areas of cooperation between Malaysia and Canada, including in digital innovation, AI technology, and clean energy, including nuclear energy,” High Commissioner Abidin told Maureen Boyd before concluding her posting. “These are currently being pursued.” From July 14th, 2026, here’s The Diplomats: Malaysian High Commissioner Shazelina Abidin.

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