Kirsten Hillman named as Canada's ambassador to the U.S.

Canada has a new ambassador to the United States.

Kirsten Hillman, who has been serving as acting ambassador to the U.S. since August 2019, has been appointed to the key diplomatic post, announced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday.

“Today, we are announcing Kirsten Hillman as our country’s next ambassador to the United States. When we worked together to negotiate the new NAFTA, I saw Ms. Hillman’s ability to stand up for Canadians and fight for their interests. She combines exceptional knowledge and skills, and is a gifted diplomat,” said Trudeau. “Ms. Hillman will remain a trusted advisor, friend, and counsellor in Washington and is our point person with Congress and the U.S. administration. I know that Canadians will be well represented by her.”

Prior to her work at the embassy in Washington, Hillman oversaw all of Canada’s trade policy and negotiations as assistant deputy minister at Global Affairs Canada. She was also Canada’s chief negotiator in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Prior to working for the federal government, Hillman practised law in the private sector in Montreal. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor of Civil Law and a Bachelor of Common Law from McGill University.

Born in Winnipeg, Hillman also has a personal connection to Canadian agriculture, as she has family that farms in southwest Manitoba — in the Deloraine area, which she spoke about in an interview with RealAgriculture at the Canola Council of Canada convention in 2017.

Canada’s previous ambassador to the U.S., David MacNaughton, stepped down last August.