Canada’s envoy bids farewell as tour of duty in Guyana ends

Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, on Monday paid a farewell courtesy call on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Hilton Todd, bringing his two-year tour of duty in Guyana to an end. The Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry said in a social media post that Sigouin met with Todd on Monday. During the meeting, Todd acknowledged Sigouin’s role in promoting bilateral relations between Guyana and Canada during his tenure. Sigouin, in turn, expressed appreciation to Todd and the Government of Guyana for the support provided throughout his tour of duty. The Canadian diplomat presented his credentials to President Dr Irfaan Ali on September 10, 2024, shortly after being appointed to succeed Mark Berman as Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana and Plenipotentiary Representative to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
His appointment was announced in August 2024 by Canada’s then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly. Sigouin joined Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1997 as a human rights and humanitarian affairs adviser. He subsequently held several senior positions within the Canadian foreign service and Government. Among his previous assignments, he served as manager of the International Programme and Director of Policy for the Canadian Human Rights Commission between 2002 and 2010. From 2010 to 2015, he was Director of Strategic Planning and Operations for Canada’s development assistance programming. He later served as Deputy Head of Canada’s Permanent Mission to the Organisation of American States (OAS) from 2015 to 2018.
Between 2018 and 2022, Sigouin was Executive Director responsible for Canada’s relations with Central American countries, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Before his appointment to Guyana, he served as Executive Director of the Haiti Division.