Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed former B.C. NDP premier John Horgan as Canada’s next ambassador to Germany.
The prime minister’s office says Horgan, who lives in Langford, will strengthen ties with Germany, particularly in clean energy.
Trudeau called Horgan, 64, a passionate public servant and an experienced leader.
“I am confident that he will continue to serve Canada well and help advance our two countries’ common interests in this new role, including our shared commitment to building a clean future with good middle-class jobs and a strong economy that benefits everyone,” Trudeau said in a statement.
Prior to his run as premier from 2017 to last November, Horgan was the B.C. New Democrats’ mining and energy critic.
This spring, after he resigned as MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca, it was reported that Horgan planned to join the board of Elk Valley Resources — a division of Teck Resources — focusing on producing coal used to make steel, but it never happened.
The Canadian embassy in Germany is located in Berlin. Canada also has consulates in Munich and Düsseldorf as well as an honorary consul in Stuttgart.
The consulates focus on assistance to Canadians and the promotion of trade and investment relations. Germany maintains an embassy in Ottawa as well as consulates in Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver.
Horgan, who has spoken often of his Irish heritage, was teased upon announcing his retirement last year about wanting to be the ambassador to Ireland.
As ambassador to Germany, Horgan will provide strategic advice to the prime minister.
In the face of complex global challenges, ranging from food and energy insecurity to attacks on the rules-based international order, Canada and Germany will continue to work side-by-side to advance shared priorities, the prime minister’s office said.
