National

Mark Carney names Kirsten Hillman chief negotiator with U.S.

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Jun, 2025 10:28 AM

Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman will take on the role of top negotiator for Canada as the country seeks a new trade and security pact with the Donald Trump administration.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's office confirms Hillman has been named to the position, making her U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's opposite number in the bilateral trade talks.

Emily Williams, Carney's director of communications, also confirms Hillman will stay on as Canada's ambassador to the U.S., as first reported by The Globe and Mail newspaper.

Hillman has worked at the Canadian embassy in Washington since 2017 and has served as ambassador since her acting appointment in 2019.

There is no fixed term limit for Canadian ambassadors in the U.S. but it's rare for someone to last longer than seven years in the role.

Hillman was a key Canadian negotiator under the first Trump White House when Canada renegotiated NAFTA, and served as Canada’s chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Ottawa posts $21.7 billion deficit for April-to-December period

The federal government posted a budgetary deficit of $21.7 billion for the April-to-December period of its 2024-25 fiscal year. The result compared with a deficit of $23.6 billion for the same period a year earlier.

Ottawa posts $21.7 billion deficit for April-to-December period

Group files complaint to B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to remove drug clinic access fees

A complaint has been filed with British Columbia's Human Right Tribunal over clinic fees paid by some of those who get opioid treatments. Vancouver lawyer Jason Gratl says his clients, Garth Mullins and the B.C. Association for People on Opioid Maintenance, have filed the complaint on behalf of those "who paid out-of-pocket private clinic access fees" for opioid agonist treatments.

Group files complaint to B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to remove drug clinic access fees

From boom to bust: Alberta economy back in the red with $5.2-billion deficit budget

Alberta’s finances, tied for generations to the steep peaks and sharp valleys of oil and gas prices, are once again plunging deep into deficit, with no immediate relief in sight. Finance Minister Nate Horner introduced a budget Thursday that projects a $5.2-billion deficit this fiscal year on total spending of $79 billion.

From boom to bust: Alberta economy back in the red with $5.2-billion deficit budget

'Do better': Murder victims' families react after possible remains found in landfill

The Manitoba government, which is spearheading the search with guidance from family members and First Nations leaders, announced Wednesday that suspected human remains had been discovered at the site. It could take weeks for coroners to make a positive identification.

'Do better': Murder victims' families react after possible remains found in landfill

B.C. solicitor general says police warned Opposition operative away from care home

The B.C. government and the Opposition have released duelling narratives about a mental-health facility that is at the heart of alleged voter irregularities in the October election. Solicitor General Garry Begg's response to a court petition says a Conservative operative was warned by police to stay away from Argyll Lodge in the riding of Surrey-Guildford.

B.C. solicitor general says police warned Opposition operative away from care home

Special avalanche warning issued in B.C., Alberta as 'dangerous' conditions develop

Avalanche Canada has issued a special warning covering large sections of B.C. and western Alberta's backcountry, saying triggered slides could be "dangerous and destructive." The forecaster says drought in January and February created "prominent weak layers" in the snowpack that are now buried under up to 100 centimetres of new snow.