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New ambassador appointed ahead of critical trade talks
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has selected financier Mark Wiseman as the country's next ambassador to the United States, tasking him with navigating strained bilateral relations and a high-stakes review of the existing free trade agreement.
Wiseman's background and qualifications
Wiseman, 55, is a former executive at BlackRock and currently serves as a senior advisor at Lazard and the Boston Consulting Group. He previously worked as a lawyer in New York and Paris with Sullivan & Cromwell. Carney described him as bringing "immense experience, extensive contacts, and deep commitment" to the role during a "crucial time of transformation" for Canada-US relations.
The prime minister emphasized Wiseman's role in advancing Canadian economic interests, stating he would help "build opportunities for both countries" while representing workers, businesses, and institutions.
Transition and timeline
Wiseman's appointment follows the upcoming departure of current ambassador Kirsten Hillman. He is set to assume the position in mid-February, coinciding with the ongoing review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), known as USMCA in the U.S.
Carney previously appointed Wiseman to the prime minister's council on Canada-US relations, a body formed to address the turbulent bilateral relationship.
Controversy and criticism
Wiseman's appointment has drawn scrutiny due to his involvement with the Century Initiative, a nonprofit advocating for increased immigration to boost Canada's population to 100 million by 2100. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the choice, accusing Wiseman of supporting policies that "inflate the cost of living, take away jobs, and strain the healthcare system."
"Why does the Prime Minister want to appoint him as ambassador to Washington?"
Pierre Poilievre, Conservative Party Leader
Trade tensions and challenges ahead
Wiseman steps into a fraught diplomatic environment. U.S. President Donald Trump suspended trade discussions with Canada in late October after an Ontario-commissioned advertisement criticizing tariffs aired in the U.S. Trump has since imposed targeted tariffs on Canadian metals, lumber, and automotive exports, alongside a blanket 35% tariff on all goods-most of which remain exempt under CUSMA.
The trade pact's review process is now underway, beginning with public hearings and stakeholder consultations. The three nations-Canada, the U.S., and Mexico-must decide whether to renew or allow the agreement to expire.
