Outgoing Canadian Ambassador Reflects on Tumultuous U.S. Post
As she prepares to conclude her groundbreaking tenure, Canada's Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman has opened up about the complex challenges she faced during one of the most turbulent periods in bilateral relations between the two neighboring nations.
Having announced her departure last month after more than eight years in Washington, Hillman will soon return to Canada, marking the end of her remarkable thirty-year career in public service. She informed Prime Minister Mark Carney of her intentions last spring and is currently assisting with the transition to her successor, Mark Wiseman, who assumes the prestigious diplomatic role next month.
A Trailblazing Diplomatic Career
As the first woman to serve as Canada's ambassador to the United States, Hillman has earned widespread recognition as a diplomatic powerhouse from business, political, and diplomatic leaders across both sides of the political spectrum. Her appointment to the acting ambassador position in 2019 followed by her official confirmation in 2020 placed her at the helm during a particularly volatile era in Canada-U.S. relations.
Before assuming the top diplomatic post, Hillman served as deputy ambassador from 2017 to 2019, playing a crucial role in the complex negotiations that ultimately replaced NAFTA with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in 2018. Her tenure as ambassador spanned the latter part of U.S. President Donald Trump's first term and continued through subsequent administrations, requiring her to navigate increasingly fraught and sometimes incendiary tensions between the two countries.
Navigating Diplomatic Crises and Global Challenges
Among her most significant accomplishments, Hillman worked tirelessly to secure the release of Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were detained by China in 2018 in what became known internationally as the "Two Michaels" crisis. Her diplomatic efforts contributed to their eventual release and return to Canada, marking a crucial victory for Canadian foreign policy.
Additionally, Hillman played a pivotal role in maintaining supply chain continuity during the unprecedented disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As borders closed and international trade faced unprecedented challenges, her work helped ensure that essential goods continued to flow between the two economically intertwined nations, preventing potentially devastating economic consequences for both countries.
Reflections on Leadership and Gender in Diplomacy
In a recent interview with the National Post, Hillman reflected on her unique position as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field. When asked whether her gender ever led U.S. counterparts to underestimate her during tense negotiations involving tariff threats, annexation rhetoric, and diplomatic crises, she offered thoughtful insights drawn from her extensive experience.
"I have spent almost all of my career as a lawyer and negotiator," Hillman explained. "In many instances where I was either representing Canada internationally in a court or leading a delegation, I would be the only woman lead in my cohort of either co-counsel or other negotiators."
She acknowledged that people can sometimes underestimate women in leadership positions, noting that this dynamic has characterized her entire professional journey. However, Hillman emphasized that demonstrating capability and competence quickly changes perceptions.
"As soon as you demonstrate that you are very capable, very competent, and that you're in charge — of your team, of the decisions that are being made — that sort of goes away fairly quickly," she observed.
The Weight of Representation and Expertise
Hillman highlighted two key factors that contributed to her effectiveness as ambassador: her deep expertise in economic matters and the inherent significance of representing Canada in the United States.
"Being an economic expert for our country and being very technically expert has always been a core strength of mine in this role," she stated. "The other thing I would say is that being an ambassador of a G7 country in the United States, being the ambassador of the country that is economically the most tied to this country and geographically has the longest border with this country, brings a certain weight and authority in and of itself."
As she prepares to conclude her diplomatic service, Hillman leaves behind a legacy of navigating some of the most challenging moments in recent Canada-U.S. relations. Her tenure has been marked by significant accomplishments despite what she described as "quite complicated" circumstances, demonstrating resilience and strategic thinking during a period of unprecedented bilateral challenges.
The transition to her successor comes at another critical juncture in the relationship between the two North American neighbors, with ongoing economic, environmental, and security issues requiring continued diplomatic attention and expertise.
