Sections & Offices of U.S. Embassy Ottawa

The United States Embassy in Ottawa is home to a number of offices from within the Department of State and other United States Government departments and agencies, including:

Public Diplomacy

As the public diplomacy arm of the U.S. Embassy, the Office of Public Diplomacy disseminates information from and about the United States to a Canadian audience. The Office of Public Diplomacy makes this web site available for internet users to learn about our services and publications, and to receive information about the United States.

The Office of Public Diplomacy in Canada consists of media and public engagement sections. There are also public diplomacy offices at the United States Consulates in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Halifax, and Toronto.

Public Engagement

The Public Engagement Office of the U.S. Embassy administers a wide range of government educational and cultural exchange programs to bring about greater understanding between the people of the United States and Canada.

Embassy Speakers Bureau

If your organization, classroom, office, or community group would like a speaker from the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Canada, consider requesting one from our Embassy Speakers Bureau! The Embassy maintains a roster of speakers who may be able to address your group on a number of topics about the United States and about U.S.-Canada Relations. Speakers are available to talk to groups of all types and sizes on issues ranging from public policy to culture to life in the United States and more. Please email us the details of your event — who is the sponsor, when, where, what is the requested speaker’s topic, and anything else you’d like us to know about the audience or the event — and we’ll respond as quickly as possible.

Press and Media Office

For media inquiries only, the Press Office of the United States Embassy may be reached at: 613-688-5316.

The Press Office cannot answer any visa-related questions. For any questions related to visas or American Citizen Services, please visit the relevant sections of this website, or e-mail canada_contactus+ca+info+en@visaops.net.

Economic Section

The Economic Section promotes United States policies and enhances the United States’ relationship with Canada in economic, environmental and scientific affairs.

The U.S. Commercial Service deals with commercial matters involving individual firms and the Foreign Agricultural Service is the primary point of contact on agricultural matters. The Consular Section deals with an individual’s ability to enter or work in the United States.

Trade and Economy

Canada and the United States share the world’s largest trading relationship — an economic relationship that is the envy of the world. Each is the foremost economic partner and largest export market for the other. Approximately US$1.9 billion in goods and services are traded across the border each day. The two countries also cooperate closely in a variety of international economic organizations. The Economic Section monitors this important $1.2 trillion trade and investment relationship, and works to resolve economic and trade policy differences. We actively support a host of “shared border” initiatives to facilitate trade and improve law enforcement cooperation along our very open, very busy 5,500 mile land border.

Each Canadian province trades more with the United States than with other provinces. The relationship is important to the American states as well; Canada is the leading export market for 35 of the 50 U.S. States. Our economies are also extremely integrated. Because of integrated, cross-border production and supply chains, the United States and Canada launched the Beyond the Border Action Plan and Regulatory Cooperation Council. Together we also jointly certify trusted travelers and traders through a variety of programs.

Energy, Environment, Science, Technology and Health

Canada is the single largest foreign supplier of oil, gas, electricity and uranium to the United States and we share an inter-connected energy infrastructure that encompasses oil and gas pipelines and electricity transmission lines. We also manage this unparalleled energy relationship. We also establish and oversee bilateral cooperation on shared global environmental objectives, such as addressing climate change. We promote U.S.-Canadian cooperation on regional environmental issues through the NAFTA Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC) and the Arctic Council. Our objective is continental environmental cooperation.

EESTH seeks to resolve transboundary environmental and fisheries disputes through bilateral mechanisms, including the U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement, the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC), the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and the International Joint Commission (IJC). We work with Canada to promote sound conservation and fisheries management practices through multilateral fora including the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) and the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC).

We promote scientific cooperation and collaboration between U.S. and Canadian government agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The United States and Canada also collaborate to enhance public health protection. The EESTH Section acts as a liaison between U.S. and Canadian health agencies.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) / United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), signed by the United States, Canada, and Mexico (the Parties), entered into force on January 1, 1994. The United States entered into negotiations with the Parties seeking to update and rebalance the NAFTA in August 2017. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was signed on November 30, 2018. The Agreement is a mutually beneficial win for North American farmers, ranchers, businesses, and workers that, once implemented, will create more reciprocal trade with Canada and Mexico. The Regulatory Cooperation Council seeks to stimulate even more trade by increasing bilateral regulatory transparency and cooperation and eliminating unnecessary differences and duplication that hinder trade and investment.

Political Section

The Political Section strives to sustain and deepen the U.S.’ global partnership with Canada in key priority areas such as Afghanistan, the Americas, and the United Nations as well as in the promotion of human rights and good governance throughout the world.

Our political officers maintain close contact with a wide range of Canadian political leaders and government officials, third country diplomats, academics, representatives of nongovernmental organizations, journalists, and others of influence, and also welcome the opportunity to speak to Canadian audiences about U.S. policy priorities and U.S.-Canadian relations. We seek to keep the U.S. Government well informed about Canadian political and security (including non-proliferation) issues and developments through regular reporting and analysis. We prepare the chapters on Canada for Congressionally-required reports on human rights, religious freedom, narcotics, terrorism, and trafficking in persons.

Agricultural Affairs

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture represents the interests of U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses in overseas markets. In Canada, FAS offices in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montréal assist U.S. exporters of agricultural products to Canada, work with the Canadian government to facilitate trade, and provide information on the Canadian agricultural market to U.S. agricultural stakeholders.

FAS and more than 40 U.S. trade associations active in the market are proud to offer foods and beverages that are innovative, fresh and safe and provide good value to Canadians under the Taste USA brand. Please visit www.TasteUSA.ca for further information on U.S. products, U.S. industry representatives in Canada and upcoming promotional events.

Canada is the largest export market for U.S. high-value and consumer-oriented agricultural products. The U.S. exported $28.3 billion of food and agricultural products to Canada in 2022. In turn, the United States is the largest export market for Canada’s agricultural products. Reports on the Canadian market and trade are available through the FAS Global Agricultural Information Network.

Contact Information:

Phone: (613) 688-5267
E-mail: agottawa@usda.gov

Mary Ellen Smith
Agricultural Minister-Counselor
E-mail: maryellen.smith@usda.gov

Tyler Babcock
Senior Agricultural Attaché
E-mail: tyler.babcock@usda.gov

U.S. Commercial Service

The U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce represents the interests of U.S. exporters by helping to promote opportunities between the United States and Canadian business communities. We are part of a worldwide network with a presence in more than 75 countries worldwide and more than 100 cities in the United States.

The United States and Canada enjoy the world’s largest and most comprehensive trading relationship that supports millions of jobs in each country. To better understand the Canadian market, the Canada Country Commercial Guide is an excellent first step for U.S. companies to consult.

The U.S. Commercial Service in Canada maintains offices in the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, as well as the U.S. Consulates in Toronto, Montreal, and Calgary.

U.S. Companies: If you are looking to sell your products or services in Canada or grow your market share, we can help. Whether you want to identify new customers, address market barriers, gain advocacy or find partners, our team will help you identify the right solution for your business to realize its potential in the Canadian market.

Canadian Companies: If you are looking to establish or expand your business in the United States, identify new suppliers, receive value-added support at the world’s best trade shows or engage economic development organizations, our team will help you find the support you need.

We invite you to contact our team to obtain additional information and details about the business opportunities that are right for your future growth. Our officers and specialists maintain close contacts with a diverse range of industries in Canada to grow U.S. exports and support job growth in the United States. Please visit trade.gov/canada for more information.

Department of Defense's Office of Defense Cooperation

Office of Defense Cooperation – Ottawa

The Security Cooperation and Partnership Division is the Department of Defense point of contact for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) between the United States and Canada. This includes development of Canada’s training program in coordination with the Canadian National Defense Foreign Military Out-service Training (FMOST), and United States military departments. In addition, the division coordinates all FMS training purchased by Canada resulting in the issuance of Invitational Travel Orders for Canadian students.

The ODC is also responsible for processing foreign military award concurrences. Information regarding the awarding of U.S. military awards and medals to Canadian Forces personnel should be directed to the Office of Defense Cooperation, Military Award Concurrence at OttawaODC@state.gov.

To reach our offices by phone or email, please see below.

DoD Acquisition Links

DoD Security Assistance and NORTHCOM Links

ODC Contact Information

ODC Ottawa
US Embassy Ottawa
PO Box 866, Station B
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5T1

Mailing from the U.S.

ODC Ottawa
US Embassy Ottawa
PO Box 5000, MS81
Ogdensburg, NY USA 13669

Phone: 613-688-5358/5456

Fax: 613-992-6544

Email: OttawaODC@state.gov

Defense Attaché Office

The United States Defense Attaché Office (DAO) performs representational and diplomatic functions on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretaries of the Military Services, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chiefs of the U.S. Military Services and the Commander of U.S. Northern Command.

The Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché is the Ambassador’s primary advisor on military-related issues. Each Attaché is responsible for their respective service specific issues and provides recommendations and liaison assistance when and as required.

For all general inquiries, please email the Defense Attaché Office at DAOCanada@state.gov

Country Clearance Information: Aircraft and Personnel Clearance system (APACS)

Country Clearance requests, through the Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System (APACS), are required for all official travel in Canada by U.S. Military, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, and DoD sponsored contractors, to include personnel traveling on deployment orders, personnel assigned to USNORTHCOM, components, and contractors. Further information is available at www.fcg.pentagon.mil and https://apacs.dtic.mil. Contact information for the Country Clearance office at the Embassy is below:

DAO Contact Information

Email: DAOCanada@state.gov

Fax: 613-992-6544

Country Clearance Point of Contact

Email: KennySG@state.gov

Phone: 613-688-5357

APACS Information for Canada

Top Ten (10) Country Clearance Request Errors

Failure to provide precise location information. Organization, name, city and correct address are needed.
Failure to meet time requirements for submitting clearance requests. Thirty (30) days is the minimum lead time. For September visits, 60 days must be allowed.
Omitting visitor’s date of birth, place of birth, security clearance level and passport number. This is particularly important when visitors need access to controlled areas as this information is needed for the Canadian authorities to grant access.
Failure to provide a Point of Contact (POC) and their location in Canada. This is the person who will pass your visit information to the organization’s security office. Visit requests cannot be forwarded to organizations without a POC name, phone and fax number for each organization to be visited.
Failure to provide a correct phone and fax number.
Failure to confirm visit itinerary details in advance. Due to the large number of requests, DAO cannot coordinate your schedule requests with your host in Canada. Your request will be denied if your host is not previously informed of your visit.
If you already have an official POC at the US embassy, it would be helpful to have that information listed on your country clearance.
Failure to provide a reliable home POC during your visit. It is imperative that Item 8 of the Country Clearance request form, “Traveler’s Point of Contact at Origin,” be filled in completely with the details of a POC who will be available during your stay in Canada in the event of an emergency.
Full name is crucial for us to approve a country clearance. Sometimes DAO receives country clearance requests with ONLY the last name of the traveler or travelers. You must list the full name of all travelers.
If you get into difficulties on how to fill the APACS request, please, first use the APACS help tool by clicking either on the tutorial or the help icon on the left of the APACS homepage. As the APACS “approver” we may not have the proper information on how to solve “requesters” issues and problems.

Consular Services

For information on American Citizen Services, please visit the relevant section of the website and our information center for Ottawa-specific details, including passport renewal instructions, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad information, and other details. For contact information of the Consular section, please choose the location closest to you.

For information on applying for visas to the United States, please visit the appropriate section of the website. For contact information of the Consular section, please choose the Consular section closest to you.