Canadian Diplomats Deterred by U.S. Gun Crime & Health-Care Issues
TL/DR –
The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers, a union representing Canadian diplomats abroad, is urging Global Affairs Canada to increase compensation for diplomats posted in the US. The union asserts that these diplomats face heightened risk of gun crime and challenges in accessing healthcare. However, Global Affairs Canada has not yet responded to these comments, and some, like former diplomat Roy Norton, argue that it’s almost ridiculous to treat the US as a hardship posting, as it’s a country where Canadians regularly vacation.
Canadian Diplomats Call for Enhanced Compensation for US Postings
The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO), representing Canadian diplomats, suggests that Global Affairs Canada may need to increase compensation for diplomats assigned to the United States. The increased risk of gun crime and healthcare issues are cited as reasons for this need.
PAFSO head, Pamela Isfeld, asserts that Ottawa’s risk assessments for the U.S are less comprehensive compared to other countries. She references the comparison of a hypothetical African post with many lockdowns due to active shootings, suggesting a similar evaluation isn’t applied to U.S posts.
Isfeld indicates that several diplomats are hesitant to serve in the U.S, a fact seemingly misunderstood by Global Affairs Canada. Despite the importance of the Canada-U.S. relationship, Isfeld points out that there’s minimal support for diplomats serving in the U.S.
Canadian diplomats currently serve in a variety of American cities including Boston, Los Angeles, and Houston. However, Isfeld suggests that the current compensation does not reflect the living risks and inconveniences present in the U.S.
She mentions an incident of a diplomat at a U.S. mission requesting a transfer due to escalating crime rates and inadequate police funding in that city. This diplomat reported witnessing several shootings and office evacuations, yet there was no adjustment in hardship levels or incentive packages.
Challenges of Canadian Diplomats in the U.S
While American postings offer advantages like proximity to Canadian relatives, safety issues are becoming a more prominent concern. Ottawa is responding to this by sending staff from other Canadian government departments to the U.S. As a result, some diplomats have left their American postings due to safety issues such as nearby school shootings.
Apart from safety, diplomats have also faced challenges with health-insurance providers. Delays in claims and responses are particularly problematic in the U.S where public healthcare is virtually non-existent and treatment is often withheld until insurance payments are confirmed. Isfeld cites cases of medical treatment delays due to insurance issues which discourage diplomats from taking U.S postings.
The idea of labelling an American city as a hardship posting was seen as politically sensitive by Isfeld. She mentioned that such labels are usually reserved for postings in developing countries with high crime rates, poor infrastructure, or rampant disease.
Alternate Views & Future Implications
Former diplomat, Roy Norton, disagrees with Isfeld’s views. He believes that, although insurance issues should be addressed, additional compensation for U.S postings is unnecessary. He further argues that increasing compensation for American postings could invite public backlash, considering the Trudeau government’s attempts to open new embassies with a trimmed budget.
Norton suggests that diplomats should experience a hardship posting and an American posting in their career, given the importance of the U.S to Canadian interests.
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