OTTAWA — Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., said Tuesday she will end her tenure in Washington, D.C., in the new year.
In a statement posted to social media, Hillman said it’s the right time to put in place a team to see through the negotiations on renewing the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade.
The ambassador said she will remain available to Canada’s negotiating team in the months ahead.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my professional life to have served and represented Canada and Canadians during this critical period in Canada-U.S. relations,” Hillman said.
As deputy ambassador, Hillman helped lead the renegotiation of the continental free trade agreement during U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term in 2017.
She was appointed ambassador in 2019 and began the job in March 2020.
Hillman took on the role of top negotiator for Canada earlier this year as the country seeks a new trade and security pact with the U.S.
In her statement, Hillman said she plans to help the new ambassador learn the ropes.
Hillman said she looks forward to “coming home and sharing more” about her next steps.
“I am grateful for the friendship and partnership of Americans from across the country and from all walks of life and political perspectives, who are devoted to the Canada-U.S. relationship and who continue to work hard to keep it strong,” she said.
“The work of strengthening Canada’s relationship with the United States is never finished, and I know that our team will continue to approach it with dedication, integrity and creativity.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney thanked Hillman in a media statement, saying she has resolutely defended Canadian values and interests during a period of transformation in the Canada-U.S. relationship.
“As one of the longest-serving ambassadors to the United States in our history, her wide-ranging and constructive engagement with all branches of the U.S. government as well as with leaders across America and Canada have yielded crucial results for Canadians,” Carney said in a social media post.
“As she prepares to step down from her role in the new year, I am grateful to Ambassador Hillman for her invaluable counsel and thank her for her long record of dedicated service to all Canadians.”
Former prime minister Justin Trudeau, who named Hillman to the role, said in a statement Hillman “is a real patriot.” He said he first worked with her on his first official trip as prime minister, when she was heading Canada’s negotiations for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Canada’s trade deal with 10 countries in the Indo-Pacific.
“As ambassador, Kirsten worked tirelessly to build up our economy and resolve multiple trade disputes,” Trudeau said. “She promoted North American security, helped fight against climate change, navigated COVID-19, and quietly and effectively contributed to the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.”
Kovrig and Spavor were detained by China after Canada arrested a Huawei executive at the request of the United States.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said on social media that Hillman has been an “awesome and well-respected” contributor to the U.S.-Canada relationship.
“I value your friendship and wish you all the best in your next adventure. You will be missed,” Hoekstra said.
Laura Dawson, executive director of Future Borders Coalition, a binational organization dedicated to building a better Canada-U.S. border for travel and trade, said in an interview with The Canadian Press that Hillman has done a “phenomenal job.”
“Canadians should be very proud of the representation they’ve had in Washington,” Dawson said.
Dawson said Hillman’s time in the role has been under challenging circumstances, including during a global pandemic.
“It’s just been a very heavy load for any ambassador and Ambassador Hillman has done an extraordinarily good job,” Dawson said.
Dawson said Hillman’s replacement will have to be somebody who can establish a strong rapport with the Trump administration.
Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, thanked Hillman on social media for her leadership and “unwavering dedication to Canada.”
“As Canada works to establish a new economic and security relationship with the United States, I have immensely appreciated your advice and expertise,” LeBlanc said. “Wishing you and your loved ones the very best for this next chapter.”
This report from The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2025.
Sarah Ritchie and Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press
