The embassy building designed by Arthur Erickson and opened in 1989 is located at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C., between the United States Capitol and the White House, just north of the National Gallery of Art.

Additionally, the Government of Quebec's Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie has operated a bureau[5] in Washington since 1978; it is located near McPherson Square.

The Embassy of Canada hosts numerous events throughout the year for visiting ministers as well as for a wide range of diplomatic, military, and public functions.

The Pennsylvania Avenue NW building was designed by British Columbia's Arthur Erickson, one of Canada's most decorated architects.

Erickson tried to evoke a sense of Canada in the architecture of the building, using long horizontals, wide open spaces and water features.

The embassy also currently has several arctic-themed works that are on loan from TD Bank, in honour of Canada's 2013–2015 chairship of the Arctic Council.

Imperial Oil has lent the embassy 10 works from their corporate collection, providing a regional perspective of Canadian art.

Canada's 24th Ambassador to the United States was David MacNaughton, who presented his credentials to President Barack Obama on March 3, 2016.

[7] MacNaughton left the post at the end of August 2019, and was replaced by Acting Ambassador of Canada to the United States Kirsten Hillman.