PM Carney names former minister as next EU ambassador

Playing null of undefined

Jonathan Wilkinson on his decision to leave federal politics to become Canada's new EU ambassador

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Jonathan Wilkinson named as next EU Ambassador

Prime Minister Mark Carney named former cabinet minister Jonathan Wilkinson on Thursday as the next ambassador to the European Union.

Wilkinson confirmed the news in a post to X after sources close to Wilkinson confirmed the new role to CTV News.

The appointment has been speculated upon since as early as last September.

In a letter posted online, Wilkinson said the decision was “not easy” and that he is taking on the role to “serve Canada.”

“I believe that, at this moment, this is where I can best contribute to the long-term interests of Canadians,” Wilkinson writes, while referencing how the world “has changed in fundamental ways.”

Asked in an interview on CTV’s Power Play what took so long to seal the deal, Wilkinson said “part of it was just mechanics.”

“I would say it’s not a simple thing to decide to leave your country and to go somewhere else. I wouldn’t say that I’ve ever aspired to be an ambassador. And so, it took me a while to sort of think my way through it,” he said.

Since becoming prime minister, Carney has sought to strengthen ties with the EU in a bid to reduce dependence on the U.S.

“With his vast experience as a minister, entrepreneur, and businessperson, Jonathan Wilkinson will drive this mission to help create greater security, prosperity, and sustainability on both sides of the Atlantic,” Carney said in a statement.

The Prime Minister’s Office also says Wilkinson will begin his new appointment at the beginning of summer.

Speaking to reporters in French on Thursday, Carney said he’s known Wilkinson for 25 years and he holds him in high esteem.

He added that the European Union and its officials are very technical and serious, so in a representative for Canada, he was looking for someone who has diverse talents and is equally serious.

Commenting on the EU more broadly, Carney said this is an important moment for Canada to further develop that relationship.

Once Wilkinson vacates his seat, a byelection will be triggered at a later date. His departure would bring the Liberal government down to 173 seats, but they would still control the House with 172, not counting the Speaker of the House.

Asked if any of the timing was connected to a desire to protect the Liberals’ majority standing, Wilkinson said “no that was never a part of the conversation.”

“I wanted to see through to the end of the session, largely for my constituents,” he said.

Wilkinson has been an MP since 2015, representing the riding of North Vancouver-Capilano.

He has held several cabinet positions under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, including minister of environment and climate change and minister of energy and natural resources, but was not named to Carney’s cabinet.

Wilkinson’s appointment comes after former Trudeau-era cabinet minister Bill Blair was appointed as High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom in February.

“I think there’s a lot we can do to deepen the relationship with Europe and with the European Union,” Wilkinson said. “I think right now, we punch below our weight in terms of trade. I think there’s a lot more we can do there, certainly defence and security, there’s a lot of common ground.”

Asked what he makes of the questions swirling around the prospect of Canada joining the European Union, the ambassador-designate said the idea is “a long way off.”

“I mean, you have to effectively sacrifice a lot of your sovereignty if you’re going to do that and join a super national organization. We also geographically are a long way away,” Wilkinson said.

With files from CTV News’ Vassy Kapelos, Rachel Aiello, and Spencer Van Dyk