"A very important step is to make sure that we have all of the relationships in place, or as many as we can, with the people that are advising ... a second Trump administration, the people that will be around him. And that's not just a Washington thing, that's across the whole country," Hillman told the CBC broadcaster on Saturday.
Ottawa needs to position itself as best as it can for "either a shift, or a change in direction" every time the US faces a pivotal moment, the ambassador added.
The US presidential election will be held on November 5. Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley are vying for the nomination as a candidate from the Republican Party. Incumbent US President Joe Biden announced his bid for reelection in April 2023.