David L. Cohen, appointed U.S. Ambassador to Canada by President Joe Biden, is nearing the end of his term due to Donald TrumpB次元官网网址檚 upcoming inauguration.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 like to express how much IB次元官网网址檝e enjoyed my time in Canada as Ambassador. This is as good a job as you can have, and itB次元官网网址檚 been an honour of my lifetime to represent the United States and President Biden in this great country of Canada,B次元官网网址� said Cohen.
He began his mission in Canada in December 2021 and was pleased to visit Haida Gwaii this month, becoming the first high-level foreign representative to visit since the Haida Nation gained governmental authority. On Nov. 7, Bill S-16 received royal assent in Parliament, legitimizing the Haida NationB次元官网网址檚 inherent rights of governance and self-determination.
Cohen has vast experience in both government and the private sector. A trained lawyer, he chaired the law firm Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll and served as chief of staff to the mayor of Philadelphia for five and a half years. He was also a senior executive at Comcast for nearly 20 years.
B次元官网网址淚 have visited every province and every territory. I have now travelled over 210,000 kilometres, and I have defined what going from coast to coast to coast is all about, as I have touched the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean, and so literally have visited all of Canada,B次元官网网址� said Cohen.
He realized a long-held dream by meeting with the leadership of Haida Gwaii in their homeland and visiting the museum and cultural centre.
B次元官网网址淧urpose of the visit is what I learn, what I take back, and how this aids the way in which the United States will relate to the Haida Nation, in particular with its new status, what are the priorities of the Haida Nation,B次元官网网址� said Cohen
B次元官网网址淭hey include economic development. TheyB次元官网网址檝e got a real focus on preservation of the land as a major priority. Obviously, forestry is the number one business, number one economic driver of the Haida Gwaii economy, and how they can maximize the revenues and growth while protecting the land. So, for example, protecting old cedars, and not just indiscriminately cutting them down because theyB次元官网网址檙e valuable and thereB次元官网网址檚 money to be made as a result of doing that.B次元官网网址�
He notes that their second priority, which is still under discussion between the Canadian federal government and the Haida Nation, concerns maritime rights that are crucial for the Haida economy, especially related to fishing.
Their third focus is preserving Haida culture and language while navigating the transition to self-governance. The Haida Nation is moving from a position of limited rights regarding land and services to one where they have more control over their future, collaborating with both the B.C. Canadian governments in the process.
B次元官网网址淭hey know their job is to defend, nurture and improve the well-being and the independence of the Haida Nation, and to preserve its identity and its culture and traditions and language in perpetuity into the future. I couldnB次元官网网址檛 have been more impressed, but I couldnB次元官网网址檛 have felt more welcome than I was today,B次元官网网址� said Cohen.
B次元官网网址淭his is a community that B次元官网网址� its leadership has its act together. They have a defined plan. They are hard at work in figuring out how to execute that plan. The leadership is incredibly responsible and sophisticated... Using an American expression, their heads are screwed on straight.B次元官网网址�
Other ventures
Cohen was appointed as the first Chief Diversity Officer at Comcast in 2010. He says that at that time, he was among the first people to hold this title in corporate America, as the role was virtually non-existent and diversity was not considered a core value in most institutions.
B次元官网网址淥ne of my favourite sayings in the diversity world is that if you can see it, you can be it. And I think thatB次元官网网址檚 true in government, as well as in the media space.B次元官网网址�
He asserts that diversity and inclusion are national security imperatives, which he observes have provided both the U.S. and Canada with a significant competitive advantage on the global stage.
During his three years as the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, he also leaned more into hockey.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always been a great hockey fan, and IB次元官网网址檝e taken the opportunity to create a real B次元官网网址渉ockey diplomacyB次元官网网址� program at Mission Canada.B次元官网网址�
In January 2024, he hosted the inaugural to promote cross-border collaboration between allied nations. The event involved members from the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC, and the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, bringing together diplomats, military personnel, and hockey enthusiasts from both countries to showcase team spirit and friendly competition.
He was proud to have travelled to Haida Gwaii and uncovered tremendous diversity throughout Canada.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 bound and determined to get out of the Ottawa bubble," said Cohen.
He found that meeting Canadians in their homes and local spaces allowed him to understand their perspectives, interests and requirements from the U.S. better. It also helped him advocate for U.S. positions in a way that resonated more with the local language.
He states the trade relationship between the United States and Canada is robust, with $3.4 billion exchanged daily in goods and services, supporting millions of jobs on both sides of the border.
B次元官网网址淚t is a trade relationship that is the envy of the rest of the world,B次元官网网址� he added.
Additionally, the U.S. and Canada collaborate closely in defence as NATO allies, sharing intelligence and working together to protect North America and the Arctic.
Cohen quoted President Biden, saying, B次元官网网址淭he United States has no better or more important friend, partner or ally than Canada, and I think that defines our relationship, which is we are the best of friends, partners and allies.B次元官网网址�
