An open letter from five former Canadian ambassadors to the U.S.

We, the undersigned, were proud to serve Canada as ambassadors to the United States. We represented our nation in Washington for more than 20 years, dating back to 1989.

Canada and the United States enjoy a “special relationship” that benefits our mutual commercial and security interests hugely. It is one of the world’s great win-wins. Our intimate ties atop North America and into the wider world also require constant tending. This is particularly true now, amid rapid and complex geopolitical change.

With this in mind, the Public Policy Forum and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy are developing a strategy for Canada’s relationship with the United States timed initially to the 2024 presidential election and relevant as well to the 2026 CUSMA/USMCA review.

We have different political and public service backgrounds. But as former ambassadors devoted to the continued welfare of this extraordinary relationship, we agree with the project’s premise that Canada’s national interest is served by “mattering more” in fields as diverse as energy and natural resources, critical minerals, the environment, technology and defence. Canada and the United States are integral to one another’s economic and physical security. Canada needs a renewed strategy for the different circumstances of today.

Our signatures on this letter should in no way be interpreted as criticism of any of the governments we faithfully served; rather, we sign in recognition that circumstances in the world have changed and Canada needs to seize the opportunities of a ‘Matter More’ strategy.

It is our hope that the bilateral Canada-U.S. relationship will grow ever stronger, regardless of what awaits both countries in terms of domestic politics and global relations. We have a history of rising to the opportunities of the times. We laud the Public Policy Forum and Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy for their work in designing a ‘Matter More’ strategy and look forward to future chapters in its development.

Signed,

Derek Burney
Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., 1989 – 1993

John de Chastelain
Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., 1993 – 1994

Raymond Chrétien
Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., 1994 – 2000

Michael Kergin
Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., 2000 – 2005

David MacNaughton
Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., 2016 – 2019