Profile: Andre Lam

Canada’s agri-food ambassador opens doors in India

Maple syrup producers in Eastern Canada and Prairie wheat farmers have probably never heard of Andrew Lam. Nevertheless, he’s working for their interests—in India.

Andrew is one of 34 officers working for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in key strategic markets around the world to increase Canada’s share of the trade for agricultural and food products. And Canada’s agri-food can be a complex job because of the fiercely competitive global marketplace.

Based in Canada’s mission in New Delhi, Andrew works as a counsellor and trade commissioner. “I provide service to Canadians by pointing to marketing opportunities, referring appropriate Indian contacts to them and explaining Indian regulatory requirements to both Canadians and Canadian government officials,” he says.

Defused a trade dispute

Andrew’s work often draws on his diplomatic skills. In 2002, for instance, he helped defuse a potentially damaging trade dispute with China. After the Canadian government had insisted that all wood packaging materials from China be fumigated or heat-treated to destroy any insects in the wood, the Chinese government threatened trade actions against Canada. Andrew worked closely with Chinese officials and Canadian experts to resolve the problem by suggesting feasible fumigation and heat-treatment programs.

In India, one of Andrew’s major challenges is ensuring that Canadian products meet Indian “sanitary and phytosanitary” standards, that is, that they are free from pests and disease. In some cases, he says, an importing country can have unreasonable restrictions; it’s his job to negotiate such issues. He also makes sure that exporters play fair in foreign markets.

Promotes and increases exports

On a broader level, Andrew advises Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and, of course, the AAFC on trade issues, and he helps to organize trade and ministerial missions to India. He is constantly looking for ways to promote and increase exports of Canadian agricultural and food products.

Andrew says he sees Canadians benefit directly from the work he does on their behalf. “I do make a tangible contribution to Canadians by helping them to explore opportunities in India and China.”

After earning a bachelor of agriculture from an Australian university, a master’s degree in science and another master’s degree in business administration, Andrew worked for three years as a high school teacher before joining the Public Service.

Serves the common good

And now, 31 years later, Andrew is proud that he turned down a competing offer from a major pharmaceutical company for a career with the government. “I chose a career in the Public Service because of my desire to serve the common good, the variety of career opportunities and the possibility of growth within the system.”

Andrew has some advice for those who aspire to a career in the Public Service.

“Working in the Public Service can be challenging because it is a complex system with many rules and players,” he says. “But if you have a clear sense of what you want to achieve, persistence and dedication will always pay off.”

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