The order from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump鈥檚 transition team for all politically appointed ambassadors to resign by inauguration day 鈥渄idn鈥檛 come as any surprise,鈥� the U.S. envoy to Canada said.
In an interview with CTV鈥檚 Your Morning on Thursday, Bruce Heyman said he and his wife Vicki knew they would have to leave their posts sooner or later, as Trump is set to be sworn in as president on Jan. 20.
鈥淲e expected a change. We鈥檙e under the Obama term and each president will select his own ambassador and so we knew that this was going to happen,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t didn鈥檛 come as any surprise to us.鈥�
In the past, many politically appointed U.S. envoys have been given grace periods by the incoming administration, allowing them to wrap up their affairs until a new ambassador is appointed.
Heyman said Thursday that Canada could be without a U.S. ambassador for a while once he departs next week.
鈥淵ou have a selection process, you have hearings, you have a background check鈥ll of that has to take place,鈥� he said of the U.S. protocol for appointing new envoys.
In the meantime, a diplomat known as the charge d鈥檃ffaires will head the U.S. embassy in Ottawa and continue diplomatic relations between Canada and U.S. as usual, Heyman said.
Both Bruce and Vicki Heyman said serving in Canada since 2014 has been an 鈥渆xtraordinary experience.鈥�
Vicki Heyman said she will miss Canadian people the most, and will depart with fond memories from their visits to all provinces and territories.
Bruce Heyman said that during his time in Canada, the relationship between the two countries has 鈥渆volved.鈥� He highlighted the first Canadian state dinner at the White House in 20 years, and the warm relationship between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and outgoing President Barack Obama.
Enhancing trade and border security between U.S. and Canada have been one of the greatest accomplishments, he said.
Asked what advice he would give to the next U.S. ambassador to Canada, Heyman said: 鈥淭here is no more important country in the entire world to the United States than Canada.鈥�
鈥淲e do things together and we are a family.鈥�
