U.S. ambassador cancels speaking appearance in Ottawa due to ‘important’ meetings with White House officials

CTV News’ U.S. Political Analyst Eric Ham on why it’s ‘not surprising’ that U.S. Ambassador Hoekstra has been called to Washington.

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has cancelled a planned speaking engagement in Ottawa.

Just over one hour before Hoekstra was scheduled to be a featured speaker at the 2026 Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference in Ottawa, organizers announced the ambassador’s fireside chat had been cancelled.

“Today’s programming has been adjusted as Ambassador Hoekstra was called to D.C. for urgent meetings,” said Alex Spence.

Hoekstra was set to participate in a fireside chat with the CEO of The Canada Strong and Free Network Adam Bolek.

The U.S. Embassy to Canada said Hoekstra was in Washington all week with a business delegation for the SelectUSA Summit. A spokesperson said he had “important meetings” with senior officials at the White House today.

The embassy would not say whether those meetings were related to CUSMA negotiations.

More details to come.