Canada's ambassador to Washington Kirsten Hillman has announced she will be stepping down in the new year - a key departure as trade talks between the US and Canada remain stalled.
In a post on X late on Monday, Hillman said there is never a "perfect time" to leave such a post but that she is grateful for the confidence that was placed in her "as the Canada-US relationship is being rewritten".
Hillman has served as ambassador since March 2020. Before that, she was part of a team that helped renegotiate a free trade agreement between Canada, the US and Mexico in 2017.
That trade pact - CUSMA - is now under a mandatory review, with President Donald Trump recently suggesting he may let it expire.
In her resignation post, Hillman said she will "remain available" to Canada's negotiating team as they navigate the months ahead.
