The vast majority of Manitobans would have been unaware that for past quarter of a century, in an office high above the iconic Portage and Main intersection, was a United States diplomatic office. This week it was announced that the United States consulate office in Winnipeg would be closing after 25 years. Over my time in elected office, I have had many opportunities to interact with the Winnipeg U.S. consulate office. Last year, the NDP government made great fanfare of the opening of a Manitoba trade office in Washington D.C. For most Manitobans the closing of the U.S. consulate office will occur without much notice.