The countries are arranged in alphabetical order by their current English name up to 1999. Thus, for example, representatives to the former Upper Volta are recorded under Burkina Faso. All those who have served as Canada's senior representatives abroad in the capacity of ambassador, high commissioner, minister, head of a permanent delegation to an international organization, charg d' affaires or commissioner are listed in chronological order according to the date of their appointment by country of accreditation. The list does not include consuls general, consuls and other representatives of that nature stationed outside of capital cities. The entries for each head of post are divided into six columns and contain the information described below.
Blank entries indicate the lack of complete records.
The full name of the representative has been provided whenever possible. Title See the list of the abbreviations below. Footnotes or columnar entries explain those cases where, according to the files, the credentials were not presented. This refers to the actual date that the representative left the post. Unfortunately, these records are incomplete.