Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed a new Consul General in Los Angeles, who says she hopes to inspire a renewed sense of unity between Canada and the U.S.
The Honourable Kamal Khera was introduced as Canada’s Consul General in Los Angeles on Thursday night at a reception at Canada House, the Consul General’s residence in the city’s Hancock Park neighborhood. A longtime Member of Parliament in Canada, Khera held multiple roles in the federal Cabinet under Carney, and predecessor Justin Trudeau, including serving as the Minister of Health, Minister of Seniors, and Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities. The 37-year-old Brampton, Ontario native now heads across the border, where she will be representing Canada across Southern California, Arizona and Nevada.
In prepared remarks Thursday, Khera said her first order of business will be to address the growing distrust between Canadians in her region and the U.S., a divide which has been spurred by President Trump’s ongoing trade war, along with comments he made last year about Canada becoming the “51st state.” With almost 50,000 Canadians living in Southern California, and thousands more across Arizona and Nevada, the three states represent the largest contingent of Canadians in the U.S. (in the 80s, Los Angeles was said to have had the fourth-largest Canadian population of any city in North America).
Khera stressed that there is a history and bond between the two countries that should not be forgotten. “Canada and the United States share a partnership that runs deep, built over generations through shared interests, common security, economic ties, and friendships between our people,” Khera remarked. “The United States has been, and will remain, our closest friend, ally, and partner,” she continued, acknowledging that “we are living through a period of considerable change. But one thing my years in public life have taught me is that relationships are not defined by a single moment,” she said. “They are built over time, through trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to working together. And that is the spirit I hope to bring to my time here.”
John Sciulli
Khera will likely be pressed to address the so-called Hollywood Exodus, which has seen a number of film and television productions move north of the border (Canada currently offers a 16% labor credit on top of a 30% incentive in the province of Manitoba). Of course, Canada has also seen its share of success with homegrown exports like the surprise Bell Media hit, “Heated Rivalry,” which was later acquired by HBO Max.
While Khera joked that friends have already been texting her for “Hollywood gossip,” the Consul General is expected to sit down with various interest groups and studios in the coming months. Still, she was quick to note that California, Arizona and Nevada have long been places to foster collaboration, not only in arts and entertainment, but in technology and industry as well. “Whether it’s connecting Canadian businesses with American investors, advancing collaboration in aerospace and defense, supporting our creative industries, or bringing together innovators and researchers, there is tremendous potential in what we can accomplish together,” she said. “And I want our Consulate to be an active partner in turning those opportunities into lasting relationships and meaningful results.”
Prior to her diplomatic appointment, Khera served nearly a decade in the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa. First elected in 2015 at the age of 26, she was one of the youngest women ever elected to the House of Commons. Before entering public life, Khera worked as a registered nurse in oncology.
Khera replaces outgoing Consul General Zaib Shaikh, who departed last November.