The following is the text of a tribute by Sen. Peter M. Boehm to Kirsten Hillman on the conclusion of her service as Canada’s ambassador to the United States. It was delivered in the Senate chamber on February 24, 2026.

Honourable senators,

In a democracy, public service is a sacred trust – a bond between the individual, one’s country, and its people.

In my view, it is the highest calling. To exercise that trust abroad is a distinct honour and privilege.

Today, I pay tribute to one of Canada’s finest public servants, our now former ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman.

There are many misconceptions about what an ambassador does.

It is not – or not always – the high-flying, intrigue-laden life depicted on television and in the movies. Much to my regret.

It is hard work, 24/7 availability, dealing with unexpected issues, split-second judgment calls, and the effective private and public projection of the national interest.

You are the face of your country in a foreign capital.

Uniquely, our embassy in Washington is like a southern branch of the Privy Council Office, responsible for the interaction of all federal departments and agencies with the United States.

Throw in the interests of our provinces and territories and other stakeholders and, well, you get the picture.

Ms Hillman brought experience, savoir faire, and dedication to her lengthy tenure in the ambassadorial role.

She came to the vocation through her native Manitoba, with studies in Alberta and Montreal.

She distinguished herself as a lawyer and high-level trade negotiator in Geneva at the World Trade Organization, but particularly as chief negotiator for Canada for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership – the CPTPP.

I met many foreign officials in my travels who told me that Ms. Hillman’s open and friendly nature masked one of the toughest negotiators they had ever faced.

Colleagues, she smashed the glass ceiling and became our first woman ambassador to the United States in March 2020 at the beginning of the most recent period of “unprecedented times” to which we are all too accustomed.

Her tenure covered part of the first Trump administration, the Biden administration, and the first year of the second Trump administration.

There was a global pandemic, continued bilateral policy differences, threats to our sovereignty from a previously steadfast ally, and a trade war, which will make the upcoming review of CUSMA all the more challenging.

One last point that illustrates the character of Kirsten Hillman.

Knowing that I had served in Washington, Ms Hillman came to see me in early 2017 to talk about the possibility of accepting the position of deputy head of mission at our embassy in Washington.

I expected policy questions, how to deal with Congress, the State Department, the Pentagon, the White House and so on.

Instead, she had one question: Will this posting work for my family?

To be sure, foreign service is about service abroad. Loved ones often come along.

There is a deeply human element at play that Ms. Hillman never forgot. Having her family with her today in the gallery is testament to that.

Kirsten Hillman has excelled in serving our country at an incredibly challenging time. For this, all Canadians should be grateful.

Kirsten, welcome home; I wish you, Duncan, Jack, and Ewen all the very best.

Thank you, colleagues.

Policy Contributing Writer Sen. Peter M Boehm is Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.