David Alward named Canadian consul general in Boston

Former New Brunswick premier David Alward has been appointed Canada's consul general in Boston.

Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson named Alward to the post on Friday.

Alward says he's looking forward to the new challenge asCanada's top diplomat in the northeast United States.

"I have an opportunity to serve Canada, certainly to serve New Brunswick, going forward if we think about the work that's done with trade, consular work, diplomacyas well, and I'm looking forward to getting that going," he said.

Premier Brian GallantGallant congratulated Alwardon the appointment, saying he has "strong respect" for the former premier.

We are pleased to have a NewBrunswickerand a former premier of our province representing our country in such an important position.- Brian Gallant, premier

"We are pleased to have a New Brunswicker and a former premier of our province representing our country in such an important position," Gallant said in a statement.

"Boston is a place which has always been a strong economic partner for New Brunswick. It is our hope that former premier David Alward's appointment will build on that relationship to help spur economic growth for our province."

Interim ProgressiveConservative Leader BruceFitch says he's"delighted" with Alward's appointment, describing him as"a man with strong and unwavering values and convictions."

Green Party Leader David Coon also offered his congratulations. "A fantastic choice," he said.

Byelectionrequired

Alwardsays his last day as Tory MLA for Carleton will be on May 22.

Abyelectionwill haveto be called in hisriding within six months.

The Canadian government has 12 consulates general offices in the United States to provide services and resources to Canadians and Americans.

The Boston office covers Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Alward, whohad dual citizenship,had to renounce his U.S. citizenship to accept thediplomatic posting there.

The Boston consulate post has been held by other Maritime ex-premiers, including Nova Scotia'sDonald Cameron and P.E.I.'s PatrickBinns, whom Alward is replacing.

'Very much like the job he had'

Binns, whoheld the job from 2010 until earlier this year, says as a former political leader, Alward will be a good fit.

"The fact that David understands the political system and how it works is a big attribute," said Binns.

"It's very much like the job he had in New Brunswick, dealing with governments there, making sure they understand the issues that are important to Canada and the provinces."

As consulgeneral, Binns spoke publicly when activists in Portland, Maine campaigned against the idea of Alberta oil being shipped via a pipeline that runs from Montreal to the U.S. city's port.

"We spent quite a bit of time talking to legislators and municipalities about the pipelineand trying to set the record straight," he said.

While the consulate in Boston represents Canada's interests as a whole, it pays particular attention to the historical and economic ties between eastern Canada and New England, said Binns.

"New England's very important to Canada, particularly to Quebec and the east," he said.

The consulate has about 20employees.

Binns says while it might be seen as a political appointment, it's an advantage for American political and business leaders to know the consulgeneral has a good relationship with the Canadian government and speaks on its behalf.

Alwardserved one term as premier before his Progressive Conservative government was defeated by Brian Gallant's Liberals in the provincial election in September 2014.

Alwardretained his seat in the election, but resigned as party leader and has been sitting as an Opposition member.

He was first elected in 1999 as the member forWoodstock and served 16 consecutive years as a member of the legislative assembly, including as ministerof agriculture, fisheries andaquaculturebetween2003 and2006.