Dr. James Boutilier
Dr. James Boutilier was the Special Advisor in International Engagement at Canada’s Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) Headquarters in Esquimalt, British Columbia. During his time as Special Advisor he was responsible for advising the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific on defence and foreign policy issues and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Prior to his appointment at MARPAC, Dr. Boutilier spent twenty-four years on staff at the Royal Roads Military College (RRMC) in Victoria as Head of the History Department, and then as Dean of Arts. While at RRMC, he was instrumental in establishing the military and strategic studies degree program, and taught courses on naval history, contemporary Asia, the history of the Pacific, and strategic issues.
Dr. Boutilier was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and attended Dalhousie University (B.A. History: 1960), McMaster University (M.A. History: 1962), and the University of London (Ph.D. History:
1969). Dr. Boutilier served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Reserve from 1956-64 as a navigating officer, and in the same capacity in the Royal Navy (RN) Reserve from 1964 -69. After completing his time with the RN, Dr. Boutilier taught at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, from 1969-71.
Dr. Boutilier’s field of expertise is Asia-Pacific defence and security, with a focus on maritime issues. He has published widely on international defence and security issues, including RCN in Retrospect (1982), and articles in professional monographs as well as the Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter and Canadian Institute of International Affairs journals. Dr. Boutilier lectures regularly at the NATO Defense College, the Canadian Forces College, the Australian Defence College, the National Defense University of the Philippines, and Bharia University in Karachi. Dr. Boutilier participates on a regular basis in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX), the ASEAN Regional Forum Conference on National Defence Colleges, the Asia-Pacific Roundtable meetings of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Shangri-La Dialogue, and the Royal Australian Navy Seapower conference.
In recognition of his efforts to advance maritime affairs in Canada, Dr. Boutilier is the recipient of the Vimy Award (2016) and the Admirals’ Medal (2016).