Dale Smyl, Consular Officer in Peru

"Trying to help families of people who were killed or affected in a disaster is difficult. But when I can make a tangible difference for Canadians and their families, my work is so rewarding."

As a Management Consular Officer with Global Affairs Canada since 2004, Dale Smyl has been posted in Government of Canada offices in Chile, China, Barbados, and now Peru. He has gained experience assisting and evacuating Canadians during large-scale emergencies in Lebanon in 2006, in Haiti and Chile in 2010, and more recently in the Caribbean in 2017.

"Over the years, we developed better practices on how to identify, triage, and move large groups of Canadians during a dangerous situation. You never know when a natural disaster like an earthquake might hit. Every traveller should register: that is the first place we check when we are trying to help Canadians. And, wherever you go, help yourself by ensuring that you have proper health insurance."

In Peru, Dale also deals with complex consular cases including missing persons, and arrests for drug trafficking. Some Canadians find themselves in desperate situations, and fall to the pressure to act as drug mules.

"When a Canadian is caught with drugs, we can advocate for fair treatment and procedures. But we can’t change the local laws."