CMS NR10.014 – October 25, 2010
OTTAWA, ON – The Canadian Navy is proud to welcome Mr. Colin Robertson as its newest Honorary Captain (Navy), as announced by Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, Chief of the Maritime Staff.
A former Canadian diplomat, Colin Robertson is a Senior Strategic Advisor for the international law firm of McKenna, Long and Aldridge LLP. He is vice-president and senior research fellow at the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute and a distinguished senior fellow at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University.
Captain (Navy) Robertson is a member of the boards of Canada World Youth and the Conference of Defence Associations Institute. He is current president of the National Capital Branch of the Canadian International Council and is honorary chair of the Canada Arizona Business Council. He is a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy and the Retired Heads of Mission Association.
“I am proud and honoured to serve” said Captain (Navy) Robertson. A native of Winnipeg and a graduate of the University of Manitoba and Carleton University, he previously served as first Head of the Advocacy Secretariat at the Canadian Embassy in Washington and as Consul General in Los Angeles with postings in Hong Kong and New York. He is a former president of the Historica Foundation. Captain (Navy) Robertson has participated in fleet visits to foreign ports and in December, 2003, he and Rear Admiral (ret) Roger Girouard opened the Canadian Consulate in San Diego aboard Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Regina.
Honorary Naval Captains are quite visible, attending significant naval, Canadian Forces and public events and ceremonies in uniform across the country. They are appointed by the Minister of National Defence after receiving recommendations from the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Chief of the Maritime Staff. These appointments are generally for a period of three years, although extensions may be granted.
Honorary Naval Captains act as bridges between military and civilian communities, representing diverse areas of Canadian society, from politics and business to journalism and the arts. They bring with them unique skills and connections that help to strengthen the navy’s ties to Canadian communities and to promote a better understanding of maritime defence issues.
With the addition of Captain (Naval) Robertson there are currently eighteen serving honorary naval captains across Canada.