Canadian Diplomat: New Consul Arrives in LA

Kamal Khera is the new Canadian Consul General in Los Angeles.

Prime Minister Mark Carney formally introduced her on Thursday evening at a reception at Canada House in the Hancock Park neighborhood. Khera, 37, replaces Zaib Shaikh, who left the post in November 2025. She represents Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada, a region that contains almost 50,000 Canadian residents in Southern California alone.

Khera served in the Canadian Parliament for nearly a decade. She entered the House of Commons in 2015 at age 26, making her one of the youngest women to hold that seat. Under Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau and Mark Carney, she held portfolios as Minister of Health, Minister of Seniors, and Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities. Before politics, she worked as a registered nurse in oncology.

In prepared remarks, Khera said her primary objective is addressing growing distrust between Canadians and Americans in her region. She cited President Trump’s trade war and his comments from last year suggesting Canada might become the 51st state as factors exacerbating the divide. She described the U.S. as Canada's closest friend, ally, and partner, while acknowledging the nations are living through a period of considerable change.

Khera plans to engage with interest groups and film studios in the coming months. This timing coincides with a trend of productions moving to Canada to access financial incentives. Manitoba currently offers a 30 percent incentive and a 16 percent labor credit. Canada also recently saw success with the Bell Media series Heated Rivalry, which HBO Max acquired.

She noted that California, Arizona, and Nevada have long been hubs for technology and industry collaboration. Khera aims to connect Canadian businesses with American investors and advance aerospace and defense work. She wants the Consulate to act as an active partner in turning these opportunities into lasting relationships.

Khera joked that friends have already been texting her for Hollywood gossip. She stressed that her role extends beyond the entertainment sector. She is a native of Brampton, Ontario, and is tasked with representing Canada across the three western states.