Yves Fortier is a Canadian diplomat, trial and appellate lawyer, arbitrator and corporate director. From 1988 to 1991, Fortier was Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, a time when Canada was a member of the UN Security Council.

In this video, Fortier describes the turbulent global events that happened while he sat on the Security Council, including Nelson Mandela’s release from prison and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Fortier also describes why Canadians, dating back to the time of Lester B. Pearson, have been so successful on the international stage.