Former federal health minister Kamal Khera has been named Canada’s next consul general in Los Angeles, one of four new diplomatic appointments aimed at strengthening Ottawa’s representation in the United States.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced the appointments Tuesday, thanking the outgoing consuls general for their contributions to Canada-U.S. ties.
Khera will succeed Zaib Shaikh and replace interim consul general Sylvie Bédard. She is expected to take up the posting in the coming weeks.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Canada in this new role,” Khera said in a statement, thanking Prime Minister Mark Carney for placing his confidence in her.
“At a time when the Canada-U.S. relationship is more important than ever, I look forward to working with Ambassador Wiseman and Team Canada to strengthen the ties that bring our countries closer together,” she said.
Khera said she would work to create new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses and help build “a stronger future for people on both sides of the border.”
The Los Angeles consul general serves as Ottawa’s senior representative in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada, promoting trade and investment, supporting bilateral relations and providing consular services to Canadians.
Anand also named Andrea Clements as consul general in Detroit, replacing Colin Bird, and Claire Kennedy as consul general in Chicago, succeeding Madeleine Féquière.
Susannah Pierce will become consul general in New York, replacing Tom Clark. All four appointees are expected to begin their new roles in the coming weeks.
Khera entered federal politics in 2015, winning the Ontario riding of Brampton West as a Liberal and becoming one of the youngest women elected to the House of Commons. She was re-elected in 2019 and 2021 before losing her seat in the 2025 federal election.
During nearly a decade in Parliament, Khera held several cabinet portfolios. She served as seniors minister from 2021 to 2023 and later became minister of diversity, inclusion and persons with disabilities. Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed her health minister in March 2025.
She also served as parliamentary secretary to the ministers of health, national revenue and international development.
Before entering politics, Khera earned a bachelor of science in nursing from York University and worked as a registered nurse in the oncology unit at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto.
