Mark Carney chooses former UN ambassador Marc-André Blanchard as his chief of staff
Prime Minister Mark Carney made a significant announcement on Sunday, revealing that former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, Marc-André Blanchard, will be taking on the role of his chief of staff starting in July. Blanchard, who previously served as Canada’s ambassador to the UN from 2016 to 2020, brings a wealth of experience to the position. Currently, he holds the position of executive vice-president at Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, an organization responsible for managing public pension plans and insurance programs in the province.
In a social media post, Carney praised Blanchard’s extensive career, highlighting his accomplishments as a builder, legal expert, executive, public servant, and diplomat. The appointment of Blanchard comes as he replaces former cabinet minister Marco Mendicino, who temporarily held the chief of staff role after Carney’s victory in the Liberal leadership race in March.
The decision to hire Mendicino had faced scrutiny from opposition parties due to his past in cabinet and his stance on Middle Eastern issues. However, Carney expressed his appreciation for Mendicino’s service, particularly during the introduction of crucial legislation and preparations for the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis.
The timing of Blanchard’s appointment coincides with the prime minister’s scheduled meeting with provincial premiers in Saskatoon to discuss fast-tracking projects deemed to be in Canada’s national interest. This meeting will mark Carney’s first engagement with the first ministers since the federal election in April, with a focus on advancing major projects.
The recent throne speech delivered by King Charles emphasized the government’s commitment to streamlining project approvals and fostering economic growth. A federal project review office and a reduction in regulatory reviews from five years to two are among the proposed measures outlined in the speech. Additionally, legislation is expected to be introduced this month to facilitate upfront regulatory approvals for major projects of national significance.
Various premiers have already presented project proposals, including Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s economic corridor plan involving Manitoba’s Port of Churchill and Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s call for increased development to access critical mineral deposits in the Ring of Fire region. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have advocated for the expansion of oil and gas pipelines to boost their respective provincial economies.
In an exclusive interview with CBC’s Power & Politics, Carney emphasized the importance of fostering competition among projects to ensure that only the most viable ideas receive federal approval. This approach aligns with his previous commitment to addressing internal trade barriers by July 1, as discussed during earlier meetings with provincial leaders in March.
As Carney prepares to engage with premiers on advancing national projects, the appointment of Marc-André Blanchard as chief of staff signals a strategic shift in the prime minister’s leadership team. With a focus on economic growth and project acceleration, Carney’s government aims to navigate challenges and drive progress on key initiatives in the months ahead.
