PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR APPOINTMENT

James Karl Bartleman

James Bartleman is one of Canada’s most accomplished diplomats, with a record of serving in some of the most highly sensitive foreign affairs positions in the Canadian government. A member of the Minjikanig First Nation of Ontario, he has achieved the highest rank in the Foreign Service of any Canadian Aboriginal and is the first Aboriginal to be named Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario.

At the time of this appointment, Mr. Bartleman was Head of the Canadian Mission to the European Union. From 1994-98, he was Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister and Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Foreign and Defence Policy. Mr. Bartleman has also served as Director General, Bureau of Intelligence and Director General, Economic Intelligence Bureau at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

From 1998-99, Mr. Bartleman was High Commissioner to South Africa. From 1999-2000 he was High Commissioner to Australia. In 1990, he served in Brussels as Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the Canadian Joint Delegation to the North Atlantic Council. From 1981-83, he was Ambassador to Cuba. From 1986-90, he was Ambassador to Israel.

In 1999, Mr. Bartleman received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the category of Public Service.

Mr. Bartleman was born in Orillia, Ontario, and received his elementary and secondary education in Port Carling, Muskoka. He earned a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in History from the University of Western Ontario in 1963.

He is married to Marie-Jeanne Bartleman and they have three children.