The role of ambassador at the United Nations was much more to his taste than a judicial appointment would have been. He was constantly using his skills as an advocate and mediator, advancing Canada's position while responding to initiatives from the ambassadors of other countries. He also acknowledged that his personal connection to the Prime Minister was of great assistance. He summed up his term as being at the right place at the right time: "During my term in New York, the Berlin Wall came down, the Soviet Union broke up, we went through the first Gulf War, Nelson Mandela was released — how wonderful it was to meet him! Let's say that all this gave me exposure to some outstanding matters."