Dalena Reporters l December 9, 2025
Canada’s long-serving envoy to Washington, Kirsten Hillman, has announced she will leave her post as Ambassador to the United States in early 2026, after more than eight years representing Canada in Washington, D.C.
Hillman, who first became acting ambassador in 2019 and was formally appointed in 2020 under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said in a statement that now is “the right time to put a team in place” to navigate the upcoming review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), set for 2026.
In her announcement on social media platform X, Hillman expressed gratitude for the privilege of serving Canadians and noted she looks forward to “coming home and sharing more about my next steps.
In response, Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a public commendation. He praised Hillman’s “intelligence, determined action and diplomacy,” and credited her with contributing “immensely to the advancement of a new economic and security relationship with the United States.” Carney described her as one of the longest-serving Canadian ambassadors to the U.S. in the country’s history.
During her tenure, Hillman has played a central role in key diplomatic and trade negotiations — including helping to lead renewed trade talks with the U.S. under the current administration and acting as Canada’s chief trade negotiator.
While no official successor has yet been confirmed, Canadian media and diplomatic observers are closely watching decisions in Ottawa, as the next ambassador will inherit a moment of critical importance for Canada–U.S. relations, especially with CUSMA’s review on the horizon.