US Ambassador Hoekstra Cancels Conference Speech

OTTAWA - U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra canceled his scheduled speech at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference on Thursday, as organizers cited urgent meetings in Washington, D.C., prompting last-minute changes to the lineup of speakers focused on Canada-U.S. relations.

The event, attended by Conservative Party members and others, continued into its second day with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith set to address participants Friday afternoon. Hoekstra had been listed among the top speakers for a morning slot, but conference organizers confirmed his withdrawal without providing further details on the meetings.

On Thursday, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to attendees, urging Canada to set aside frustrations in ongoing trade negotiations. "Canada should move past its irritation with the U.S. in ongoing trade talks," Pompeo said.

The conference agenda later Friday includes a panel discussion on the Canada-U.S. relationship featuring Conservative Member of Parliament Jamil Jivani. Jivani, who recently returned from his second trip to Washington, D.C., maintains a close personal friendship with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. During that visit, he joined...