Hello everyone,
It is my great pleasure to write to you all for the very first time, as the new High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I have devoted my life to serving Canada and Canadians and I am truly honoured to continue doing so, but this time in an entirely new capacity. I hope I will represent you well and make you proud.
Canada and the United Kingdom share a partnership built on history, strengthened by our people-to-people ties, and enriched by a friendship that grows stronger every day. At a pivotal moment for Canada, the U.K., and the world, I’m committed to deepening this relationship to provide more economic opportunities to our people and our businesses, and ensure they live and operate in safer communities, in a more secure world.
I also want to extend my sincere thanks to my predecessor, Ralph Goodale, for his exceptional leadership over the past four years. His steady guidance has left a strong foundation on which we will continue to build. I know many of you join me in wishing him all the very best as he enjoys time back home in Saskatchewan.
Throughout my four decades in public service, from the Toronto Police Service to my years in Parliament and Cabinet, I’ve seen firsthand how vital trusted alliances are. Few run as deep as Canada’s partnership with the United Kingdom. Our two countries sit together at more international tables than any other pair in the world: the UN, NATO, Five Eyes, the G7, the G20, and the Commonwealth. We are longstanding democracies, close allies, and nations who share the same sovereign, His Majesty King Charles III.
Our economic ties are equally strong, supporting 171,000 jobs in Canada and 193,000 jobs in the U.K. In 2025, the U.K. was Canada’s third-largest single-country trading partner, representing $85 billion in goods and services traded. Canadian exports here grew by nearly 65% last year alone, making the U.K. our second-largest export destination worldwide. Under the Trade Continuity Agreement, which came into force after Brexit, 99% of our trade in goods is now tariff and quota-free – good news for Canadian businesses, and for consumers on both sides of the pond.
This deepening cooperation reflects the priority placed on Canada–U.K. relations by our new government. A renewed focus on reliable partnerships means that Prime Minister Carney has visited the U.K. three times already since taking office in March 2025 – a clear signal of the value we place on this enduring friendship.
But perhaps the most meaningful part of this relationship is you: the more than 250,000 Canadians who live, work and study here in the U.K. Whether you’re a student fresh off the plane, an entrepreneur building something new, an artist sharing Canadian stories, or a family putting down roots abroad, you represent Canada every day. Our teams at the High Commission will continue to champion Canadian innovation, strengthen key partnerships, and support the vibrant Canadian community that calls the U.K. home. I look forward to meeting many of you in the months ahead.
Thank you again for the warm welcome. Enjoy the longer days ahead, and I look forward to staying connected through the next edition of Canada Plus.
Sincerely,
Bill Blair
High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom
