Monday February 2, 2026 | OTTAWA, ON [Posted at 2″15 pm PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Canada’s diplomatic to the UK and France have been announced today.
The federal government under Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney says they are “deepening our relationships with long-standing, reliable allies. France and the United Kingdom are two of Canada’s deepest partners in defence, security, and commerce”.
Carney’s office announced today that two diplomatic appointments have been made, upon presentation of their credentials:
- The Honourable Bill Blair as High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Mr. Blair brings four decades of experience serving Canadians and protecting their security. During his time as the Member of Parliament for Scarborough Southwest, he has served in Canada’s Cabinet as Minister of National Defence, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction. Prior to entering politics, he had a 39-year career with the Toronto Police Service, including as Chief of Police, and also served as President of both the Canadian and Ontario Associations of Chiefs of Police.
- Nathalie G. Drouin as Ambassador of Canada to France and Monaco. Ms. Drouin brings three decades of experience and leadership across diplomacy and public service. She has held senior roles in the federal public service, including 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 served as Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General for the Québec government and in a number of roles within the Autorité des marchés financiers. Ms. Drouin has played a central leadership role in implementing Prime Minister Carney’s foreign policy strategy.
Blair’s reassignment:
Blair was a key cabinet minister in the former Liberal government under then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This appointment takes him out of the direct action in Ottawa but keeps him in the loop with a significant and trusted diplomatic connection to Britain.
Blair’s diplomatic appointment will open up the seat for a by-election in Scarborough Southwest (previously Scarborough West prior to 1997). The riding within the larger Metropolitan Toronto area has been held by the Liberals almost entirely since 1988 (with one term held by the NDP during 2011-2015).
The Liberals are likely assured that Scarborough Southwest will remain a Liberal riding in a 2026 by-election, as the Liberals are presently only two seats short of a majority in the House of Commons (presently 170 out of 343).
Other previous Trudeau cabinet ministers:
Former justice minister David Lametti took on the role of Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, replacing Bob Rae, in November.
And last month, former deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland took on an advisory role in Ukraine.
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