Canadian diplomat
Kirsten Hillman is a Canadian lawyer and diplomat who was appointed as Canadian ambassador to the United States on March 26, 2020.[1] She is the first woman to serve in this role. In 2019, she had been appointed as acting ambassador, taking over from David MacNaughton .[2] Prior to this, she served as deputy ambassador at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C .
Early life and education
Hillman grew up in Calgary and Winnipeg .[3] She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba (1990), [4] as well as civil law and common law degrees from McGill University .[5]
Career
Hillman worked as a lawyer in private practice in Montreal , and for the Department of Justice in Ottawa .[5] She was assistant deputy minister of the trade agreements and negotiations branch at Global Affairs Canada , serving as Canada's senior legal adviser to the World Trade Organization and chief negotiator for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership .[5]
In August 2017, Hillman began working at the Canadian embassy in Washington, D.C. , serving as deputy ambassador[5] before being appointed acting ambassador when David MacNaughton resigned in August 2019.[6] She played a central role in 2018 negotiations for a replacement to the North American Free Trade Agreement and in keeping the Canada–United States border open to trade and commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic .[6]
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Hillman's appointment as ambassador to the U.S. on March 26, 2020,[6] making her the first woman to hold the post.[7] As a career public servant, she is not seen as a political appointee.[8] Her appointment was viewed as a choice that would find favour among both Conservatives and Liberals .[9]
References
^ Simpson, Katie (March 26, 2020). "Kirsten Hillman officially named Canadian ambassador to the United States" . CBC . Retrieved March 26, 2020 .
^ "Acting Ambassador of Canada to the United States" . Government of Canada . March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020 .
^ "Kirsten Hillman" . Connect 2 Canada. November 15, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2020 .
^ "Biography" . Government of Canada. March 28, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2020 .
^ a b c d Carolino, Bernise (April 3, 2020). "Lawyer Kirsten Hillman is the first woman to be appointed Canada's ambassador to the U.S." Canadian Lawyer Magazine . Retrieved April 13, 2020 .
^ a b c McCarten, James (March 26, 2020). "Kirsten Hillman to be officially named Canada's ambassador to U.S." The Canadian Press . Global News. Retrieved April 13, 2020 .
^ Martin, Lawrence (March 27, 2020). "Normalcy will return: Canada's new U.S. ambassador strikes a chord of confidence" . The Globe and Mail . Retrieved April 13, 2020 .
^ Delacourt, Susan (February 11, 2020). "Trudeau eyes different kind of envoy to Washington" . Kelowna Daily Courier . Retrieved April 13, 2020 .
^ McCarten, James (March 26, 2020). "Trudeau names Kirsten Hillman as next ambassador to U.S." CP 24. Retrieved April 13, 2020 .
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary (1926–1943) Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (1943–present)