Carney Expected to Tap Mark Wiseman as Canada’s Next U.S. Envoy

 

Mark Wiseman, a former BlackRock executive who once ran the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, is the leading contender.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is poised to appoint financier Mark Wiseman as Canada’s new ambassador to the United States, according to multiple reports. The move comes as current envoy Kirsten Hillman announced her resignation after six years in the role, during which she also served as Canada’s chief trade negotiator with Washington.

Wiseman, 55, is a seasoned business executive with deep ties to Canada’s financial sector. He previously served as CEO of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and as a senior managing director at BlackRock Inc., one of the world’s largest asset managers. More recently, Carney appointed him to his advisory council on Canadian competitiveness, underscoring their close professional relationship.

The appointment, however, is not without controversy. Opposition parties, particularly in Quebec, have criticized Wiseman’s past remarks on immigration and supply management, warning that his views could complicate Canada’s delicate trade relationship with the U.S.. The Parti Québécois has gone so far as to call his potential nomination “unacceptable,” arguing that he is “not a friend of the Quebec nation”.

Despite the pushback, Wiseman’s background in global finance and trade negotiations is seen by supporters as an asset at a time when Canada faces crucial talks with the U.S. and Mexico over the future of the USMCA trade agreement. His appointment would mark a significant shift from Hillman’s diplomatic style to a more business-oriented approach in Washington.

Carney has yet to formally confirm the decision, but reports suggest an announcement could come within days. If finalized, Wiseman will step into one of Canada’s most important diplomatic posts, tasked with navigating a complex relationship with Washington amid ongoing debates over trade, energy, and security.