The Embassy of Canada in Berlin

Amb. John Horgan

John Horgan is a long-time public servant and the former Premier of British Columbia. On December 8, 2023, he presented his credentials to President Steinmeier to become Canadian Ambassador to Germany.

In this role, Mr. Horgan will build on Canada’s strong relationship with Germany. Both countries are working to transition to a clean economy, build shared prosperity, collaborate for climate action, contribute to peace and security in Europe, as well as advance other common priorities.
John Horgan was Premier of British Columbia from 2017 to 2022 and leader of the province's social democratic New Democratic Party from 2014 to 2022. Mr. Horgan represented his constituency in British Columbia's provincial parliament through five elections from 2005 to 2023.

During his time as Premier, British Columbia was leader among North American governments in advancing climate action policies. Clean energy projects, home and business greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction programs, public transportation infrastructure as well as consumer focused Electric Vehicle regulations were among the many initiatives. Under his leadership, British Columbia became the first government in Canada to implement the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). His tenure was also marked by steady management of the COVID‑19 pandemic and a variety of natural disasters from regular wildfires and devastating flooding events.

John Horgan was born on August 7, 1959, in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trent University in 1983 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Sydney (Australia) in 1986. Mr. Horgan is a two-time cancer survivor. He and his wife Ellie have two sons.

John Horgan succeeds Stéphane Dion, who was Canada's Ambassador to Germany from 2017 to July 2022. In the interim, Canada was represented by Chargées d'Affaires a.i. Isabelle Poupart and Evelyne Coulombe.

Bilateral relations are cordial. Canada is an important North American friend and ally and is receptive to European and German interests as a result of its history and national vision. Canada and Germany share common values and fundamental convictions. Germany and Canada are linked by their active involvement in international bodies and organizations, especially in issues of security and disarmament, human rights, humanitarian activities and peacekeeping operations. It is in Germany’s interest for Canada to maintain its strong commitment to Europe as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Mutual official visits are frequent. Federal President Gauck visited Canada in September 2014, the first such visit in 24 years. Then Canadian Prime Minister Harper paid a visit to Germany in March 2014. Federal Chancellor Merkel travelled to Ottawa on the 9th of February 2015, holding talks with Prime Minister Harper on the agenda during Germany’s G7 presidency. She had previously paid a bilateral visit to Canada in August 2012.

Bilateral economic relations are untroubled but the volume of trade fails to match the potential of the two countries’ economies. In 2014, German exports to Canada were worth EUR 8.6 billion and German imports from Canada EUR 3.4 billion. In German foreign trade statistics, Canada ranks 28th among buyers of German exports and 38th as a supplier of German imports. By contrast, Germany is for Canada the fifth most important exporter of goods and the eighth most important importer of goods. Germany’s main exports to Canada are motor vehicles and vehicle parts and machinery. Its principal imports from Canada are raw materials. In addition, the two countries supply each other with electrical and optical goods and chemical products.

Canada and Germany concluded a double taxation agreement in 2002, superseding that of 1981. A Framework Agreement for Commercial and Economic Cooperation has been in force between the European Union and Canada since 1976, an accord on cooperation in science and technology since 1995, a wine and spirits agreement since 2003 and an air transport agreement since 2009. Negotiations on the text of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) were concluded in September 2014. The signing and ratification of the agreement are in preparation.