Canadian ambassador visits Arizona

Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman traveled to Arizona for the first time as part of a program sponsored by the Arizona Commerce Authority and the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations. Titled “Diplomacy in the Desert: Insights on Canada-U.S. Relations,” she spoke at the Beus Center for Law and Society in downtown Phoenix. Hillman discussed the Canada-Arizona relationship, which is significant in terms of trade and tourism.

During her first visit to the state, she was blown away by what Arizona has to offer.

“I know that it’s gorgeous, I know that’s dynamic and incredibly friendly,” Hillman said. “I spent a little bit of time over the weekend in Sedona and the Grand Canyon, it blew me away.”

But she is not only here for the beautiful nature and weekend excursions. She came here for business as well as to call attention to the strong bond between Canada and Arizona, which many are do not know about.

“We are the biggest foreign employer of Arizonans, almost 25,000 Arizonans are employed by Canadian companies,” Hillman said. “We are the biggest investor in Arizona, outside of, of course, the United States.”

Since the relationship is already at its strongest, she wants to build on that bond.

She met with multiple legislative leaders and the governor to point out all of the successes with the relationship and to double down on what is working.

She also commented on the deep relationship between Canada and the United States and how fortunate both countries are to have such a strong relationship and that the future election will not negatively affect the relationship.

“The relationship that we have between our two countries is not defined by one or two or 25 people,” Hillman said. “The relationship is defined by the millions of Canadians and Americans that work together, research together, study together and defend our country together (NORAD). Millions of our citizens are working together everyday.”