If you ask canada’s Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman how to get Trump-era Republicans on Canada’s side, she’ll tell you a story about a stuffed bison head.
Hillman first came to Washington as deputy ambassador in 2017.She says around that time, canada was trying to make inroads with new Republican senators. She soon met with one of those senators, but there weren’t many issues the two agreed on.
“Her perspectives diverged greatly from mine, from a woman’s right to choose, to gun laws, right across the board,” Hillman said. “But I was thinking to myself ‘OK, I have to connect with this woman.This is important for Canada, and it’s important for my job.'”
As Hillman walked into the senator’s office (who she did not name), there was a bison head on the wall – coincidentally an official symbol of her birth province, Manitoba. Hillman saw an opportunity to connect.
“I started telling her about that and then I started telling her about a project that we had in Canada to repopulate the American bison population, because we had strains of bison in Alberta in particular that had become extinct in the United States.”
“So I had my bison facts,” Hillman said.
Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirstin Hillman announced she will leave the post in the new year. Hillman was adamant the decision was hers and the prime minister was aware ahead of time.
What began as a conversation about bison later turned to Canada-U.S. trade. Hillman said the senator promised to be a voice for Canada during U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term in office, and the two kept in touch.
“There’s a certain level of humanity that you have to bring,” Hillman said. “You have to try and find some kind of connection, and you have to know your stuff.”
Since then,Canada’s relationship with the united States has changed dramatically.Tariffs continue to hammer the Canadian economy, and just seven months ago Trump was making threats toward Canada’s sovereignty.
Hillman has been on the ground in Washington throughout that conversion. But soon, she’ll be leaving her post as Canada gears up to review the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in the new year.
In an exit interview with CBC’s The House airing Saturday morning, hillman was asked by host Catherine Cullen if there’s something she now understands about Trump’s America that she wants to share with Canadians.
Hillman said the United States is## Trump’s trade rep points to CUSMA breakup, separate deals
U.S. President Donald Trump’s lead trade negotiator Jamieson Greer says the management is considering breaking up the three-way free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, moving toward separate deals rather.
Plus, American officials and business executives have been making more trips up north in recent months, “and what they’re trying to do is provide a different message on the ground to Canadians around the Canada-U.S. relationship and how they value it.”
Last week, Hillman also went to a closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill with the House ways and means commitee, which has congressional oversight of tariffs of trade.
She told Cullen that every U.S. lawmaker in that committee said they support stable trade with Canada, believe there should be a robust trade relationship between the two countries and back the continuation of CUSMA.
“They consider us friends and critically important friends, not just in trade but across the board. People might not feel that every day but I feel that is important,” Hillman said.
In a year-end interview with CBC’s rosemary Barton Live airing Sunday,Prime Minister mark Carney said Trump hasn’t given him any indication that he’s willing to walk away from CUSMA.
WATCH | Carney on CUSMA talks:
Prime Minister Mark Carney sat down for a year-end interview with CBC News chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, where he laid out his expectations for the CUSMA review next year.
Canadian officials had hoped to score a deal on some of Trump’s sectoral tariffs earlier this year, but the president terminated talks after the Ontario government aired an anti-tariff advertisement during the World Series.
Last week, Canada-U.S.Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the door remains open for American
Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, to Step Down
Table of Contents
Kirsten Hillman, canada’s ambassador to the United States, is preparing to conclude her posting, marking the end of a distinguished career representing Canadian interests in Washington D.C. hillman announced her departure in December 2023, with her transition expected to occur in the coming months. She reflects on her time in the role as a profound privilege and a deeply impactful experience, expressing a renewed love for her country through her service.
A Career Dedicated to International Trade and Diplomacy
Hillman’s appointment as Ambassador in 2021 followed a long and successful career within the Canadian public service. Prior to becoming Ambassador, she served as canada’s Deputy Minister of International Trade [https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/minister-ministre/hillman-kirsten-eng.aspx]. She played a crucial role in the renegotiation of the Canada-United States-Mexico agreement (CUSMA), formerly known as NAFTA, demonstrating her expertise in complex international trade negotiations.
During a February meeting with Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donald, as reported by CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/kirsten-hillman-us-ambassador-departure-1.7471820], Hillman discussed her upcoming transition and the challenges of navigating the political landscape in Washington.
Reflecting on a Challenging but Rewarding Role
Hillman described her role as both a privilege and a significant responsibility. she emphasized the importance of defending Canadian interests, expressing Canadian values, and fostering connections between the two countries. “It has made me love my country even more, because every single day my job is to either defend its interests or express its values or make connections,” she stated in a recent interview.
She anticipates a “coming-down period” as she transitions out of the role, acknowledging the difficulty of detaching from such an exceptional experience. While her future plans remain uncertain, she expressed a desire to continue promoting Canada, perhaps across the country. “Maybe I’ll be out promoting Canada all over Canada,” she said.
Key takeaways
* Departure: Kirsten Hillman is stepping down as Canada’s Ambassador to the United States.
* Experience: She previously served as Canada’s Deputy Minister of International Trade and was instrumental in the CUSMA negotiations.
* Reflection: Hillman views her ambassadorship as a profound privilege and a deeply rewarding experience.
* Future Plans: She intends to explore new opportunities, potentially focusing on promoting Canada domestically.
The Importance of the Canada-U.S. Relationship
The Ambassador’s role is critical in managing the complex and vital relationship between Canada and the united States. This relationship encompasses a vast range of issues, including trade, security, and environmental cooperation. The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner,with over $790 billion in goods traded annually in 2023 [https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/stataccount/indicators/trade]. Maintaining a strong and productive relationship is essential for both countries’ economic prosperity and security.
Hillman’s departure comes at a time of ongoing political and economic uncertainty, making a smooth transition and the appointment of a capable successor crucial. Her dedication and expertise will be missed in Washington, but her legacy of service to Canada will undoubtedly endure.
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