Derek Fraser

CANADIAN AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE

Derek Fraser was born in Trail, BC on March 6, 1937. He grew up in Rossland, where he attended the Rossland Elementary and the Rossland High Schools. His father, Thurlow Fraser, was a Senior Buyer in the Purchasing Department of Cominco, while his mother taught Home Economics in the Rossland High School. Derek Fraser worked for several summers at Cominco and at the Paterson Customs, which paid for his University studies.

Mr. Fraser studied at the University of British Columbia, where he received a B.A. in History and International Studies in 1958; at the Université de Montpellier where he obtained a Certificat d’Études françaises (Certificate of French Studies) in 1959; and at the University of British Columbia where he earned a Law Degree in 1963.

He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1963. In the early part of his career, he joined the Department of External Affairs in 1963; was Legal Advisor to the Canadian Delegation, Indo China Control Commission in 1964-65; Second Secretary, Canadian Embassy Bonn from 1966-70; German Desk, External Affairs from 1970-72; Councillor, Canadian Embassy Moscow from 1973-75; Deputy Director, Latin American Affairs, Adviser, Federal-Provincial Relations, Privy Council Office, Director of Western Europe from 1975-80; Minister-Counsellor, Canadian Embassy Belgium from 1980-84; Director Eastern Europe from 1984-88; Ambassador to Hungary from 1988-93; Senior Fellow, Canadian Foreign Service Institute from 1993-94; Acting Director General Culture from 1994-95; and Ambassador of Canada to Greece from 1995-98. Since 1998, he has been Ambassador to Ukraine.

He is married to Dr. Christina Hantel-Fraser. They have 4 children.

Mr. Fraser has just retired from Foreign Affairs and has taken up a position at the University of Victoria.