{"id":846844,"date":"2026-08-05T10:10:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T10:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/846844\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T10:10:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T10:10:18","slug":"u-s-to-close-consulate-in-winnipeg-spokesperson-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/846844\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. to close consulate in Winnipeg: spokesperson"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amid ongoing trade tensions with Canada, the U.S. is shuttering its diplomatic mission in Winnipeg. Alex Karpa has the details. <\/p>\n

WINNIPEG \u2013 The U.S. consulate in Winnipeg has supported Americans and trade ties between the two nations for more than 20 years, but it will soon be closing its doors. <\/p>\n

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department confirmed to CTV News Tuesday that it\u2019s planning on closing its post in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile our physical presence in Winnipeg is changing, our policy priorities in Canada remain steadfast,\u201d the spokesperson said. <\/p>\n

Earlier in the day, Reuters reported the State Department sent a notice to U.S. congressional committees late last week that it planned to close its posts in: <\/p>\n

WinnipegSt. George\u2019s, GrenadaNagoya, JapanMedan, IndonesiaDouala, Cameroon<\/p>\n

While the move comes amid strained bilateral relations, the State Department spokesperson told CTV News the planned closure \u201creflects our commitment to efficient resource management.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe value the contributions of our local personnel at U.S. Consulate Winnipeg and thank them for their work and contributions to our deep bilateral relations with Canada,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

\"\"U.S. and Canada flags are seen on a transport truck trailer at the Pacific Highway Canada-U.S. border crossing in Surrey B.C., on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Ethan Cairns U.S. and Canada flags are seen on a transport truck trailer at the Pacific Highway Canada-U.S. border crossing in Surrey B.C., on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Ethan Cairns Winnipeg closure \u2018a shame\u2019: professor<\/p>\n

Andrea Charron, a professor and director of the Centre of Defence and Security Studies at the University of Manitoba, says the move by the U.S. ignores Winnipeg\u2019s strategic role, including its Norad operations and cross-border partnerships.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a shame that we won\u2019t have direct U.S. representation in the city,\u201d said Charron.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is incredibly shortsighted, and I really hope this isn\u2019t just some emotional outburst. I really do hope there\u2019s some strategic thinking behind here, because if not, this shows allies that the U.S. is ready to drop us at a moment\u2019s notice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Winnipeg is home to the smallest U.S. diplomatic office in Canada. It was opened in 2001, with the goal of promoting business and trade between the U.S. and Manitoba.<\/p>\n

Previously, the U.S. had an official presence in Winnipeg for 113 years before the consulate was closed in 1986. <\/p>\n

Canada will still have six other missions in Toronto, Calgary, Halifax, Quebec City, Montreal and Vancouver, all of which have consulates general. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa would also stay open. <\/p>\n

But Charron says this closure will have an immediate impact for those who work closely with the U.S. consulate in Winnipeg. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis means more attention is going to shift to the Embassy in Ottawa, and Ottawa is very far away from Winnipeg, and the U.S. embassy has only so many representatives,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

\u201cHere in Winnipeg, we host a significant number of U.S. military personnel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"The exterior of the Manitoba Legislature is seen in Winnipeg, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/John Woods The exterior of the Manitoba Legislature is seen in Winnipeg, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/John Woods Manitoba committed to \u2018rebuilding\u2019 presence in U.S.<\/p>\n

The Manitoba government says it has taken significant steps to strengthen the province\u2019s international trade relationships with the U.S., including reopening Manitoba\u2019s trade office in the U.S., which is being led by Richard Madan. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are committed to rebuilding Manitoba\u2019s presence in Washington and around the globe,\u201d a statement from a government spokesperson said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been working directly with stakeholders through our U.S. Trade Council to stand up for Manitoba workers and businesses. The U.S. consulate is under federal jurisdiction and operates separately from Manitoba\u2019s trade office, so this development does not change its role.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to The Canadian Press, Manitoba Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan says the decision to close the American office is disappointing. <\/p>\n

\u201cDespite his promises to strengthen our relationship with the United States, Manitoba\u2019s economy is falling further behind \u2014 and businesses and families are paying the price,\u201d he said in a statement on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

CTV News political analyst Eric Ham says he\u2019s surprised the move to begin shutting down offices in some places took this long. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that this is something that, when the president came into office and with the creation of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), that there would be massive, massive cuts all throughout the government,\u201d he said, adding that this could be part of more downsizing within the U.S. bureaucracy.<\/p>\n

With files from Reuters and The Canadian Press<\/p>\n

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