Member of Parliament and former cabinet minister Jonathan Wilkinson has been named Canada’s next ambassador to the European Union, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Thursday.
“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.
Wilkinson has long been considered for the position as Canada hasn’t had an ambassador to the EU since last fall. He will begin his new role this summer, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Wilkinson takes over from former Liberal leader Stéphane Dion, whom Carney thanked “for his distinguished service and contributions.”
Wilkinson expressed that his appointment is a “very emotional moment” for him and his family because it means stepping away from being an MP.
“This decision was not easy,” he stated on X. “Representing this community and serving all Canadians at the Cabinet table has been the greatest honour of my professional life. But 2026 is not 2015. The world has changed in fundamental ways, and Canada now faces new economic, geopolitical, and environmental tests.”
Today, I’ve accepted the Prime Minister’s invitation to serve as Canada’s Ambassador to the European Union.
I take on this role for the same reason I entered public life: to serve Canada.
Thank you for your trust, your candour, and your belief that we can always do better.… pic. twitter. com/0u A51RW8r9 -Jonathan WNV Wilkinson mentioned that he accepted this posting due to his strong “commitment to Canada and a belief that, at this moment, this is where I can contribute most.” He held important cabinet roles as environment minister and natural resources minister under Justin Trudeau but wasn’t included in Carney’s cabinet after last year’s election. Elected first in 2015, Wilkinson has consistently secured his North Vancouver riding – renamed North Vancouver-Capilano last year – for the Liberals through four elections. His departure will reduce Carney’s slim majority government by one seat; however, the Liberals will still hold control over the House with 172 seats (not counting the Speaker) against the opposition’s combined total of 169 seats.
Source link
I take on this role for the same reason I entered public life: to serve Canada.
Thank you for your trust, your candour, and your belief that we can always do better.… pic. twitter. com/0u A51RW8r9 -Jonathan WNV Wilkinson mentioned that he accepted this posting due to his strong “commitment to Canada and a belief that, at this moment, this is where I can contribute most.” He held important cabinet roles as environment minister and natural resources minister under Justin Trudeau but wasn’t included in Carney’s cabinet after last year’s election. Elected first in 2015, Wilkinson has consistently secured his North Vancouver riding – renamed North Vancouver-Capilano last year – for the Liberals through four elections. His departure will reduce Carney’s slim majority government by one seat; however, the Liberals will still hold control over the House with 172 seats (not counting the Speaker) against the opposition’s combined total of 169 seats.
Source link
