Canada’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson confirmed Tuesday that he holds both Canadian and U.S. citizenship, stating he sees “no reason” to renounce his American passport “at this time.”
Speaking on The Vassy Kapelos Show, the rookie cabinet minister said, “I have no confusion about where my loyalties lie,” emphasizing his lifelong commitment to Canada.
Hodgson became a dual citizen in the early 1990s while living and working in the United States, but pointed to his long record of Canadian service — including six years in the Canadian Armed Forces starting at age 17 and a stint as a special adviser to then–Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney in 2010.
“In March of this year, I was asked by the new prime minister to give up my private sector life and serve my country again,” Hodgson said. “I’ve done it because I love my country.”
The minister confirmed he disclosed his citizenship status to both the federal ethics commissioner and national security agencies, renewing his top-secret clearance. “There are 700,000 Canadians with dual citizenship who are loyal Canadians,” he said.
Asked whether recent U.S.–Canada trade tensions or his role in developing Canada’s domestic economy influenced his decision, Hodgson said no, citing family ties across the border and the value of unrestricted travel.
Prime Minister Carney, during the 2025 election campaign, renounced his British and Irish citizenships to focus entirely on Canada, but noted that several Canadian MPs — including Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer — also hold multiple passports.
