Event Details

The Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR) and Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) have partnered for a speaking program featuring Ambassador Kirsten Hillman, Canada's Ambassador to the United States. The program will be the Ambassador's inaugural visit to the Grand Canyon State. The evening program will feature a moderated conversation with Ambassador Hillman during which she will discuss the key issues shaping the relationship between Canada and the United States.


Canadian companies have made Canada the number one source of foreign direct investment in Arizona and employ more Arizonans than any other country. The one million Canadians who visit Arizona every year inject $1 billion into the Arizonan economy. Nationwide, Canada maintained its position as the number one trading partner of the United States in 2022 at over $900 billion, amounting to over $2.5 billion a day and 15% of total U.S. trade. Bilateral investment between Canada and the United States also surpassed the $1 trillion mark for the first time in 2022.


The bilateral relationship goes far beyond trade and investment: Canada is one of the closest allies and friends of the United States, and a key partner on transnational issues that affect both North America and the world. Ambassador Hillman will touch on various topics, including trade, climate initiatives, the current geopolitical landscape, foreign policy, and the potential impact of the upcoming U.S. elections on bilateral relations. Additionally, she will discuss areas of further collaboration between the two countries. Ambassador Hillman's visit to Arizona will also include meetings with key stakeholders in the public and private sectors.


This event with Ambassador Hillman provides a unique opportunity to gain her valuable insights into the pivotal Canada-U.S. relationship.


PCFR and ACA cordially invite you to attend a reception on Tuesday, January 9th at 5:30 pm, followed by the program at 6:00 pm in the Great Hall of the Beus Center for Law and Society in Phoenix.


Why Is This Important for Arizona


This program is vital for Arizonans due to the substantial economic ties between Canada and the state, with Canada being the second-largest trading partner. The event will address key issues such as trade and climate initiatives, providing attendees with insights into the complex nature of the Canada-U.S. relationship and its impact on Arizona's economy. This makes it an essential event for business leaders, policymakers, students, and academics interested in fostering stronger ties between Arizona and Canada.

Speakers

  • Ambassador Kirsten Hillman (Ambassador of Canada to the United States)

    Ambassador Kirsten Hillman

    Ambassador of Canada to the United States

    Kirsten Hillman has served as Canada’s Ambassador to the United States of America in Washington D.C. since 2020.

    The first woman to be appointed to this position, Ambassador Hillman has stewarded the bilateral relationship through two administrations and the COVID-19 pandemic, managing a wide range of bilateral and global files, advocating for Canada’s interests, and advancing shared priorities.

    Through her twenty-five-year career with the Government of Canada, Ambassador Hillman has held various senior diplomatic, policy, and legal positions at home and abroad. She has played critical roles in negotiating important trade agreements for Canada, including the modernization of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and served as Canada’s Chief Negotiator for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Prior to this, Ambassador Hillman practised law at the Department of Justice in Ottawa and at a private law firm in Montréal.

    Ambassador Hillman grew up in Calgary and Winnipeg and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba and Bachelors of Civil Law and of Common Law from McGill University. She also holds a Doctor of Laws – honoris causa – from the Royal Military College of Canada.

    She was recognized in the Maclean’s magazine 2022 Power List – 50 Canadians who are forging paths, leading the debate and shaping how we think and live – and named one of Washington’s most powerful women by the Washingtonian in 2021 and 2023.

    She is married and is the mother of two sons.

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Agenda

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Reception & Registration
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Program

Venue

The Great Hall | ASU Beus Center for Law and Society

111 E Taylor St
Phoenix, Arizona

If you have any questions please contact Samuel Richardson

Contact Organizer

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Tickets

PCFR Members
Member Price Complimentary
General Public
Standard Price $25

Dive Deeper

Strong economic ties and collaboration across various sectors characterize the Canada-Arizona relationship. Despite the geographical distance, the two regions are deeply interconnected, particularly in the tourism, aerospace, technology, and agriculture industries. Arizona annually exports a significant amount of goods and services to Canada, contributing to a substantial economic partnership. This relationship is further emphasized by the presence of Canadian businesses in Arizona, ranging from aerospace and engineering to financial services and security.


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