Kirsten Hillman Steps Down After Transformative Years in Washington
So, here’s what’s happening right now in Canada–U.S. relations: Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the United States and one of the most influential figures in recent cross-border diplomacy, has announced that she will be stepping down in the new year. The news was confirmed first through multiple sources and then by Hillman herself in a detailed statement posted on Tuesday.
She explained that, after more than eight years in Washington — six of those serving as Canada’s top diplomat — the time felt right to close this chapter. She said the decision was entirely hers, noting that she had already informed Prime Minister Mark Carney. She described her tenure as a privilege, and the tone of her message made it clear that the choice to leave was thoughtful, not rushed. Hillman added that although she is stepping down, she will still be available to support Canada’s negotiating team as they head into what is expected to be a complicated 2026 review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA.
It’s worth noting that her departure comes at a delicate moment. Trade discussions between Canada and the U.S. have been stalled, and with CUSMA up for review next year, the pressure has been mounting. Hillman openly acknowledged that there’s never a perfect time to leave, but she felt this was the right moment to ensure a fresh team could take the agreement through its next major phase.
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In an interview with CTV News, Hillman emphasized that the decision had been hers from the start. She mentioned that Prime Minister Carney had asked her to stay on through his government’s transition and through the shift into a new Trump administration, which she agreed to do. Beyond that commitment, she felt ready to begin her next chapter back home in Canada.
When pressed about the state of trade talks, she stayed cautious but did hint that discussions around some sector-specific tariffs have been ongoing. She suggested that tariff talks and the CUSMA review will likely unfold in parallel in the months ahead, pointing out that you never really know when opportunities to break deadlocks in negotiations will appear.
Hillman also spoke candidly about her view of U.S. President Donald Trump, saying he has become “more strong in his own convictions” in his second term, with a team more firmly aligned to his direction than during his first.
Reactions to her announcement came quickly. Prime Minister Carney praised her for defending Canadian values and interests through a turbulent period in bilateral relations. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau called her “a real patriot,” highlighting her leadership during the renegotiation of NAFTA, the challenges of COVID-19, and Canada’s efforts to secure the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
As for who replaces her, sources suggest Mark Wiseman — a prominent Canadian financier — is the leading candidate.
Hillman’s legacy is already well-defined: steady leadership through uncertainty, quiet but influential diplomacy, and a pivotal role in reshaping the economic relationship between Canada and the United States. Her departure marks the end of an era, and the beginning of an important next phase for Canada’s place in Washington.
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