Canada strengthens its diplomatic presence in the United States

October 12, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that the Government of Canada is enhancing its diplomatic outreach to the United States with the appointment of new consuls general, in Detroit and Los Angeles.

The new appointees are:

·         Joseph John (Joe) Comartin becomes Consul General of Canada in Detroit (United States of America). Mr. Comartin replaces Douglas George.

·         Zaib Shaikh becomes Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles (United States of America). Mr. Shaikh replaces James Villeneuve.

These diplomats will be a part of a network of consuls general with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Miami, Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco and Seattle (together with trade offices in Houston, Palo Alto and San Diego).

Through direct engagement with the Canadian embassy in Washington, D.C., the network of consuls general forms a cohesive, integrated team. The consuls general work with provinces, the business community, labour, Indigenous peoples and others to represent and defend Canadian goals and interests.

The new consuls general will play pivotal roles in promoting Canada’s interests to our American neighbours and bolstering Canada’s presence and profile in key centres in the United States.