Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled the members of his newly formed advisory committee focused on Canada-U.S. economic relations. The committee comprises a diverse group of experts, industry leaders, union representatives, and retired prominent politicians, including former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, and former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt.
According to an official government statement, the committee’s primary objective is to provide a platform for members to strategize on how Canada should navigate its economic ties with the U.S. Prime Minister Carney expressed satisfaction with the committee’s diversity, emphasizing the inclusion of leaders from various sectors such as unions, industry experts, CEOs, and finance professionals.
The government’s aim, as outlined by the Prime Minister, is to establish a robust economic partnership with the United States through the upcoming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The advisory committee, set to convene for the first time next Monday, will be overseen by Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade. LeBlanc highlighted the committee’s role in ensuring close engagement with key industrial sectors in Canada as the country embarks on a new economic and security relationship with the U.S.
The committee members include prominent figures like Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Darryl White, CEO of the Bank of Montreal, and Tracy Robinson, president and CEO of the Canadian National Railway, among others. Their collective expertise aims to align governmental efforts with the priorities of workers, businesses, and industry leaders to advance common goals.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously established a similar advisory committee during the negotiations leading to CUSMA under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. With the trade agreement up for review this year, discussions are underway to enhance economic cooperation between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
In related developments, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer engaged in discussions with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, setting the stage for formal bilateral negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico in the near future. While specific timelines for negotiations with the U.S. remain undisclosed, Canadian officials are actively engaging with their American counterparts to expedite the negotiation process.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre commended the inclusion of Erin O’Toole in the advisory committee but urged for more decisive actions from Prime Minister Carney on trade matters. Poilievre questioned the Prime Minister’s approach, citing concerns about the lack of recent negotiations and emphasizing the need for tangible progress in Canada’s economic relations with the U.S.