PM Carney appoints new ambassador to United States

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced the appointment of a new ambassador of Canada to the United States.

Global investment banker and pension fund manager Mark Wiseman has been appointed to the role and will take office Feb. 15.

Wiseman will be given the job of leading negotiations during the review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the continental trade deal that connects Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Wiseman was born in Niagara Falls, Ont. but grew up mostly in Burlington.

He takes over the ambassador role in the new year from Kristen Hillman, who announced earlier this month she would step away from the position to allow a new team for focus on reviewing the free trade agreement.

Wiseman’s three-decade long career has included top roles with the Canada Pension Plan, Alberta Investment Management Corporation and most recently, as a member of the Prime Minister’s council on Canada-U.S. relations.

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Carney made the appointment just days after being sworn in as prime minister.

Wiseman is a longtime friend of Carney who was among the first to contribute to his leadership bid, donating the maximum $1,750, as well as an additional $1,750 to the Liberal Party during last April’s election campaign.

In a release, Carney writes:

“Mark Wiseman brings immense experience, extensive contacts, and deep commitment at this crucial time of transformation of our relationship with the United States. As a core member of our negotiating team, he will help advance the interests of Canadian workers, businesses, and institutions, while building opportunities for both Canada and the United States.”

He takes the role at a tense and pivotal time in our two country’s relationship, with the review of CUSMA overshadowed by American tariffs.

U.S. President Donald Trump has flip-flopped on if he’ll renew the deal or scrap CUSMA entirely.

Ambassador Jamieson Greer has said the U.S. will need to see changes to supply management and an opening up of the Canadian dairy market in order to move forward with the agreement.

Wiseman will step into this role as negotiations on tariffs are still at a standstill between Carney’s Liberals and the White House

Talks have been on hold since late October, after Premier Doug Ford aired an anti-tariff television ad featuring the voice of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

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