Michael Kergin

Michael Kergin came to the Washington ambassadorship after serving as foreign policy adviser to Canada’s prime minister and as assistant secretary to the cabinet for foreign and defence policy. His embassy service from 2000 to 2005 placed him at the centre of the relationship when the attacks of 11 September 2001 changed American security priorities. ¹

In a 2002 interview, Kergin argued for closer cooperation between border, immigration, customs, and intelligence agencies while preserving each country’s legislation. He warned that a loss of confidence in enforcement could produce barriers to travel and commerce. After his ambassadorship, he advised Ontario’s premier on border management. ^{2, 1}