Prime Minister Carney Announces Upcoming Diplomatic Appointments to the U.K. and France

Canada Diplomatic Appointments Strengthen U.K. and France Ties

Ottawa, Ontario – Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a series of forthcoming diplomatic appointments aimed at strengthening Canada’s relationships with two of its closest and longest-standing allies, the United Kingdom and France.

The Prime Minister confirmed that, upon the formal presentation of credentials, Bill Blair will be appointed High Commissioner for Canada to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, while Nathalie G. Drouin will be appointed Ambassador of Canada to France and Monaco.

Strengthening Key Transatlantic Partnerships

France and the United Kingdom remain central to Canada’s defence, security, and economic relationships, with deep historical ties and expanding cooperation across trade and international security. The Prime Minister’s Office said the appointments reflect Canada’s intent to deepen collaboration with trusted allies at a time of heightened global uncertainty.

Bill Blair brings more than four decades of experience in public service and national security. As a Member of Parliament for Scarborough Southwest, he served in federal Cabinet as Minister of National Defence, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction. Prior to federal politics, Blair spent 39 years with the Toronto Police Service, including serving as Chief of Police, and later as President of both the Canadian and Ontario Associations of Chiefs of Police.

Proud to announce that the Honourable Bill Blair will serve as the next High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom and Nathalie G. Drouin will serve as our next Ambassador to France and Monaco.

With their extensive careers in public service, Mr. Blair and Ms. Drouin… pic.twitter.com/Novf1vce7c

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) February 2, 2026

Nathalie G. Drouin brings more than 30 years of experience across diplomacy, law, and senior public administration. Her career includes serving as Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister, Associate Secretary to the Cabinet, and Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada. She has also held senior roles with the Government of Québec and the Autorité des marchés financiers, and has played a key role in advancing Prime Minister Carney’s foreign policy agenda.

Acknowledging Outgoing Envoys

Prime Minister Carney also expressed gratitude to the outgoing High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ralph Goodale, for his service during a period of significant global change. In addition, the Prime Minister thanked Stéphane Dion for his contributions as Canada’s Ambassador to France and Monaco, noting his decades of public service.

“France and the United Kingdom are two of Canada’s deepest partners in defence, security, and commerce,” Prime Minister Carney said in a statement. He added that the appointments are intended to help deliver greater certainty, stability, and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.

Trade and Global Context

The government noted that the United Kingdom was Canada’s third-largest single-country trading partner in 2024, with goods and services trade valued at $61 billion. Canada’s bilateral merchandise trade with France totalled $14.2 billion the same year. The appointments come as France assumes the G7 Presidency in 2026, following Canada’s presidency in 2025.

Both appointments are expected to take effect later this spring.

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