Overview
- The federal government announced the four appointments on Tuesday, naming Kamal Khera to Los Angeles, Susannah Pierce to New York, Claire Kennedy to Chicago and career diplomat Andrea Clements to Detroit.
- Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed the changes as Ottawa seeks stronger on-the-ground teams for political reporting, investor outreach and support for Canadian businesses during talks over the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement.
- Kamal Khera is a former Liberal MP and cabinet minister who lost her seat in 2025 and will replace Zaib Shaikh in Los Angeles, while Susannah Pierce moves from the private sector where she was an executive at Shell Canada to lead the New York mission.
- The reshuffle closes the chapter on the New York residence controversy after the government sold the disputed $9‑million apartment that had drawn parliamentary scrutiny of the mission.
- Officials say the mix of political appointees and career diplomats is meant to maximize political networks and technical trade expertise, and the new postings could shape Canada’s ability to protect trade ties and win investor support during the CUSMA review process.