As part of our Qatar Living Talks Series, we sat down with H.E. Isabelle Martin, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar, to discuss her diplomatic journey, the vibrant Canadian expatriate community, bilateral relations, and cultural parallels between Canada and Qatar. In this candid exclusive interview, she shares her perspectives on her tenure in Doha, upcoming initiatives, and what she finds very similar between Canada and Qatar

Watch the full interview here:

You’ve had an impressive diplomatic journey across multiple regions before arriving in Doha. What were your expectations of Qatar before your arrival in 2022, and how have your views evolved since taking office?

Thank you so much. I’ve been very fortunate in my career to live in many countries. One thing many people don’t know is that I used to cover Qatar from 2002 to 2006. We didn’t have an embassy here back then—I was based in the UAE and visited Qatar often. I remember Qatar in 2002. It was a very different country, though the people were the same—great people. The development since then has been absolutely fascinating. When I returned in 2022, it was just a month before the World Cup. What I saw was beyond anything I could have imagined—the roads, metro, hotels, stadiums—it was incredibly impressive.

I couldn’t have anticipated that my time in Qatar would become even more exciting than the World Cup itself. I was also lucky because Canada had qualified for the tournament—we did well, considering we hadn’t played in the World Cup in a long time. The last time was when I was a teenager!  Qatar remains a fascinating country, especially given its role on the world stage in diplomacy and mediation. This continues to be one of the most interesting and dynamic roles I’ve held. My relationship with the Qatari government and people has been incredibly rewarding and full of satisfaction.

How large is the Canadian expatriate community in Qatar, and in which sectors are they most active?

I think many people would be surprised to learn that there are almost 10,000 Canadians in Qatar—mostly in Doha. Canadians are active in a wide range of sectors, but education is the most prominent. We’re also present in energy, health, and services.

Our contribution to education has been longstanding, going back nearly 30 years, since the founding of Qatar Foundation. Although the Canadian Embassy only opened 13 years ago, we’ve been deeply involved in education for much longer. Canadian teachers are present at all levels, and we are active in many other sectors as well. It’s something I’m very proud of.

How would you describe the current state of the bilateral relationship between Qatar and Canada, especially in areas like trade, education, and security?

We enjoy a very strong relationship. Last year, we celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties between Canada and Qatar, and 10 years since the opening of the embassy. Our relationship has grown significantly. We’ve had a defense cooperation agreement since 2022. Then in 2024, one of the highlights of my career took place—I had the honor of hosting His Highness the Amir during his visit to Canada in September. During that visit, we signed an MoU focused on enhancing cooperation in education, development, and other areas. We also signed an MoU for political consultations.

Earlier that same year, our Assistant Deputy Minister for this region visited Qatar, and we’ve had several other high-level ministers visit during my time here. It’s been a very active and rewarding bilateral relationship.

Are there any specific initiatives or programs that you have launched or are planning to launch during your tenure to strengthen cultural ties between Canada and Qatar?

Yes. I briefly mentioned our development cooperation framework, which creates many opportunities for collaboration—not only in the region, but globally. For example, we’re working together on projects in Jordan and Lebanon, and we have ideas for supporting Gaza’s population receiving medical treatment here, particularly psychosocial support.

We’re also aiming to do more in the cultural space. Not to give too much away, but 2026 will be the Year of Culture in Qatar for Canada. So, you can expect to hear and see more of Canada here in the coming months and years.

You’ve served across the Middle East, Australia, and even the Pacific Islands. How does the diplomatic landscape in Qatar compare to your previous postings?

Great question. I often say that living in Qatar feels like living in the United Nations—you see people from everywhere. I’ve served in Egypt and the UAE, and Abu Dhabi is similar in that sense. But in Qatar, I truly feel like I’m surrounded by that global diversity.

For example, in this very building, I have an Australian colleague—it almost feels like being in Australia again. I love that we can hear so many languages, meet people from across the globe, enjoy cuisines from everywhere, and see everyone working together in harmony. It’s a privilege to live in such a safe and diverse place.

Qatar is a hub for multiculturalism—something Canada is also well known for. Do you see any interesting cultural parallels between the two nations?

Yes, absolutely. We sometimes focus too much on the differences, but the similarities are striking. Canada is also very multicultural. While we have two official languages, you can hear many more spoken across the country. Arabic, for instance, is now the third most spoken language in Canada, which surprises many people. There’s also a similarity in terms of extreme weather. Qatar has extreme heat, while Canada has extreme cold and icy conditions. In both cases, people end up spending about six months indoors, adapting to the climate. Personally, I think it’s easier to fight the cold than the heat. The intense summer heat and humidity in Qatar are the only aspects I find a bit difficult—but air conditioning certainly helps! Despite our size difference—Canada being a vast country and Qatar being smaller—we share core values: the rule of law, diplomacy, mediation, and peace. We both aim to engage with the world positively and bring people together, which I deeply admire about Qatar.

What is a unique Canadian tradition or celebration that you’d love to see introduced or shared in Qatar?

There’s a Canadian tradition called “cabanas” in French. It celebrates our national treasure—maple syrup. During a specific time of year when we collect maple water to make syrup, we bring people into the sugar shack where it’s prepared. There, they can enjoy everything imaginable with maple syrup—on eggs, potatoes, and even snow!

We actually tried to recreate this for Flag Day in February 2024, with artificial snow and maple syrup tastings, and people really enjoyed it. I’d love to see this become a recurring tradition here in Qatar around February or March, aligning with when it takes place in Canada.

What’s one thing about life in Qatar that you find most different from Canada?

The driving styles are quite different. In Canada, people tend to drive more cautiously, partly because our roads aren’t always in great shape due to harsh winters and changing weather conditions. Roads here in Qatar are newer and smoother, which probably makes it easier to drive faster.

That said, I strongly believe people are the same everywhere. While our political systems differ, we share the same values and principles. It’s hard to focus on what separates us because there’s so much that brings us together.

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