Canadian diplomats in the U.S. face higher housing and health care costs, audit says

An internal audit by Global Affairs Canada found that Canadian diplomatic missions in the United States are dealing with security concerns, difficult access to health care, and housing costs that often exceed Ottawa’s budget limits. The review, completed in late 2025 and published this year, covers missions in Washington, D.C., and 15 other U.S. cities. It says staff regularly face safety risks tied to crime, protests, firearms, and broader social pressures, making emergency preparedness an important part of daily operations. The audit also found that many diplomats struggle with the cost of health care and housing. In some cases, staff said they had to rely on large advances or credit card debt to cover medical expenses, while 65% of rents across the U.S. network were above the ceiling set by Ottawa. The report says these pressures can create recruitment and retention challenges for mission staffing.