CANADIAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTRES |
These vintage photos illustrate some of the equipment used to communicate with Canada's embassies and missions in various countries around the world under Foreign Affairs Canada. Where the caption indicates "East Block", it means the equipment was located in the East Block of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the seat of Canadian government. The "hill" consists of the Parliament Buildings plus two large, ornate buildings known as the East and West Blocks. On August 1, 1973, External Affairs moved from the East Block to larger premises at the Lester B. Pearson Building, a short distance from the Parliament buildings.In 1995, Parliament adopted legislation that formally recognized a name change from External Affairs Canada to Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC). Unless otherwise noted, all photos are those of Foreign Affairs Canada and kindly submitted for use on this web document by Ray Fortin.
Next , the Department of Trade and Commerce joined FAC and the ministry was renamed the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). International Trade then divorced from Foreign Affairs and the name changed to Foreign Affairs Canada again. Once more, Trade and Commerce was added to FAC to become DFAIT and that's what it is in 2008. Who knows what name changes will transpire in the future.
On June 1, 2009, the department will mark its 100th anniversary, a noteworthy achievement for a ministry that started out with a handful of employees and a modest office over a barber shop at the corner of Ottawa's Queen and Bank streets. The transformation of the department during the past 100 years from little more than a glorified registry office into a modern, dynamic foreign and trade ministry is a tale of accomplishment and success that deserves to be celebrated. In doing so, the Ministry will have an opportunity to look back on its past, reflect on the present, and build for the future.
OLD: The East Block of Parliament Hill where External Affairs Canada was an occupant until 1973. This is how the building looked in July 2005. (Photo by Jerry Proc) |
NEW: The Lester B. Pearson building at 125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa. (Photo courtesy Foreign Affairs Canada) |