Hillman Reflects on Tumultuous Tenure as Canada’s Top Diplomat in Washington
– Kirsten Hillman, soon to be Canada’s former ambassador to the United States, has described her time in Washington as a “contact sport,” reflecting on a period marked by significant challenges and complex negotiations. The 57-year-old career diplomat is preparing to conclude her service after more than eight years in the U.S. Capital.
Hillman, who hasn’t yet penned her autobiography but reportedly has a title in mind – “Diplomacy is a contact sport” – navigated a turbulent landscape that included the renegotiation of NAFTA, the COVID-19 pandemic and strained relations under the Trump administration. She emphasized the importance of maintaining focus amidst distractions, stating, “You just have to keep your eye on the ball. What exactly is our job here in Washington and across the country as Canadian diplomats? Our job is to do the best that we can… get the most that we can for Canada on every individual topic that comes up.”
Her tenure began in 2017 as deputy ambassador under David MacNaughton, coinciding with then-President Donald Trump’s threats to dismantle the North American Free Trade Agreement. The subsequent negotiation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) proved to be a critical test of Canadian diplomacy. Hillman later became acting ambassador in 2019 and secured the top position in 2020, becoming the first woman to serve in the role.
Beyond trade negotiations, Hillman played a key role in securing the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, two Canadians detained in China in 2018. She also worked to maintain supply chain continuity during the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and related border closures.
Hillman’s background includes serving as Canada’s senior legal advisor to the World Trade Organization and as Canada’s chief negotiator for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, establishing her reputation as a knowledgeable civil servant and trade policy expert across party lines before arriving in Washington.
She recently informed Prime Minister Mark Carney of her intention to step down, with plans to return to Canada and conclude her 30-year career in public service. She will assist in the transition for her successor, Mark Wiseman, who will assume the role next month.
During a cabinet retreat in Montebello, Quebec, in January 2025, Hillman was described as a “powerhouse of a diplomat” by leaders from both sides of the border. She has consistently emphasized the need to advocate for Canadian interests, even when facing difficult circumstances. According to reports, she has navigated relations with the U.S. Through periods of “fraught—sometimes incendiary—tensions.”
As she prepares to leave her post, Kirsten Hillman leaves behind a legacy of resilience and dedication to Canadian diplomacy, having steered the country through a period of unprecedented challenges in its relationship with the United States.
