Bob Rae: podcast appearances and interviews

Robert Keith Rae, born August 2, 1948, is a Canadian politician and diplomat who served as the 80th President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. He was appointed to this role in July 2020 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and served until November 2025. Rae has held various significant positions throughout his career, including serving as the Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations from 2020 to 2025. His diplomatic career also includes his role as Canada's special envoy to Myanmar from October 2017 to April 2018 and advising Prime Minister Trudeau on the Rohingya crisis. A seasoned politician, Rae served as the 21st premier of Ontario from 1990 to 1995, leading the Ontario New Democratic Party from 1982 to 1996. During his tenure as premier, Rae initiated policies such as the Social Contract Act, which were unpopular with traditional NDP supporters, and his government faced defeat in the 1995 provincial election. Rae also served in federal politics, initially as a Member of Parliament from 1978 to 1982, and later as interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 2011 to 2013. He was involved in leadership races for the Liberal Party in 2006 and 2009. Additionally, Rae has been active as a legal partner specializing in representing Aboriginal clients and holds positions as an advisor to Canada's Ecofiscal Commission and as a Senior Fellow at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. Since December 2025, he has served as the Visitor of Massey College.