Former Member of Parliament Bill Blair has been appointed as Canada’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Tuesday.
Blair, who previously served as the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, will take over the role from Janice Charette, who has held the position since 2016.
In a statement, Trudeau praised Blair’s experience and leadership, saying he is “well-suited” for the role.
“Bill Blair has dedicated his career to serving Canadians and has a wealth of experience in public service,” Trudeau said. “His leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our relationship with the United Kingdom.”
Blair, who was first elected as an MP in 2015, served as the Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction before taking on the role of Public Safety Minister in 2018. He also previously served as the Chief of the Toronto Police Service for a decade.
In his new role as High Commissioner, Blair will be responsible for representing Canada’s interests in the United Kingdom and promoting bilateral relations between the two countries. He will also work to strengthen economic ties and promote Canadian values and interests in the UK.
Blair expressed his gratitude for the appointment, saying he is “honored” to serve as Canada’s High Commissioner to the UK.
“I look forward to working closely with the UK government and our partners to advance our shared priorities and deepen the strong ties between our two countries,” Blair said in a statement.
Blair’s appointment comes at a crucial time as Canada and the UK work to negotiate a new trade deal following the UK’s departure from the European Union. The two countries also have a long-standing partnership in areas such as security, defense, and cultural exchange.
Blair’s appointment as High Commissioner is subject to approval by the UK government.
