Series consists of two sub-series: correspondence between Rt. Hon. William Lyon Mackenzie King and the Hon. Phillipe Roy, Canadian Ambassador in France, a list of the Representation of Canada in France, 1882-1953,(RG25, Vol. 658), and registry files from the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris, 1970-1995.
Canada. Embassy (France) : Canadian representation in France began on 12 July 1882 (Canada, Sessional Papers, 1887, no.88) when Hector Faber was appointed representative of the Quebec Government in Paris and was used by the federal government as Canada's agent in France. His duties included the promotion of trade, commerce and immigration. As time progressed his dual capacity as representative of both Quebec and Canada ceased and in 1911, his successor Philippe Roy, was appointed as Canada's sole representative to the French government (Canada, House of Commons Debates, 9 June 1915). In September 1928 the Canadian Legation in Paris was opened and Philippe Roy became Minister to France, Canada's sole representative in Europe. Known as a Minister-at-Large, Roy's role was to represent Canada in France and in Europe where Canada had an interest or was asked to send a representative. This included obligations arising out of League of Nations responsibilities. (Canada, House of Commons Debates, 11 June 1928)
Roy's stature was similar to that enjoyed by other countries' representatives in France, thus increasing his effectiveness in safeguarding Canada's growing interests in France and in the rest of Europe. As Minister, Roy was also able to conduct direct negotiations with the French Government. (Canada, House of Commons Debates, 18 April 1928) The Legation in Paris was the chief source of information concerning Canada and was the main source of information for French Canada regarding France. The Legation also fulfilled all consular duties, commercial relations, trade negotiations and immigration matters. The Legation, along with the High Commission in London, were the main sources of information regarding the rising European tensions in the 1930s.
In 1938 George Vanier replaced Roy as Minister. The outbreak of the Second World War greatly increased the legation's consular work as they served Canadians in France and throughout Europe. A military attaché was appointed in January 1940 in order to ensure close cooperation between the two countries military authorities. When France fell in 1940 General Vanier left France and the mission was moved to London and a Chargé d'affaires, Pierre Dupuy, was placed in charge and continued to maintain relations with the Vichy government from 1 Oct. 1940 to Nov. 1942 when the Canadian government broke off relations with Vichy France. In November 1942, General Vanier was designated as representative of the Canadian government to the French National Committee in London and also acted as the Minister to the Allied Governments in Exile. In October 1943 Vanier was made the Canadian representative to the French Committee of National Liberation. When the French Provisional Government moved to Algiers, Vanier was appointed as Canadian representative to the Provisional Government. This Canadian Mission to the Provisional Government included a military attaché, an air attaché, an economic advisor and a second secretary. Its purpose was to maintain relations between the Canadian and provisional governments and, more importantly, to aid France in rebuilding itself after the war. (Canada, House of Commons Debates, 12 November 1940, 25 February 1941, 17 April 1944) Following the liberation of Paris on 24 August 1944 the Canadian Embassy in France was reestablished and General Vanier became Canada's first resident Ambassador to France. The post had been elevated from a Legation to an Embassy, indicating the level of interest Canada placed in the rebuilding of France and the independent diplomatic position Canada wanted to be viewed in Europe at the close of the Second World War.
