Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Canadian financier Mark Wiseman has officially been selected by Prime Minister Mark Carney to take up Canada’s most important diplomatic role as ambassador to the United States, two sources say.
Wiseman is taking on the assignment as Canada prepares for tough talks on the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.
Robert Fife reports that the appointment was approved by cabinet on Thursday, the sources said, and the Prime Minister will make the announcement soon.
The Globe and Mail is not naming the sources because they were not authorized to discuss cabinet discussions.
Wiseman, 55, replaces Kirsten Hillman, who served in Washington since 2017, including the past six years as ambassador.
One of the sources said the Prime Minister chose Wiseman, a close friend, because of his extensive business connections in the U.S.
President Donald Trump and key advisers such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick would also respect Wiseman’s financial background, the source said.
In other news today, Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon says that, beyond the two who have already crossed the floor to join the Liberals, there are other Conservative MPs who are frustrated with Pierre Poilievre’s leadership.
MacKinnon, who also serves as the Minister of Transport, made the comments after the surprise announcement last night that Ontario MP Michael Ma was leaving the Conservatives to join the Liberals.
Emily Haws and Ian Bailey report that the minister did not name other Conservative MPs.
After announcing his decision via a statement, Ma appeared onstage last night with the Prime Minister at the Liberal Party’s holiday party.
Mark Wiseman replaces Kirsten Hillman, who served in Washington since 2017, including the past six years as ambassador.Mike Segar/Reuters
What else is going on
First segment of high-speed rail project will link Montreal and Ottawa: MacKinnon and Martin Imbleau, the CEO of Alto, the Crown corporation responsible for overseeing the project, made the announcement today.
Immigration museum CEO quits over bullying allegations: Marie Chapman’s resignation from the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax follows the release of a report suggesting she engaged in a pattern of inappropriate behaviour for more than a decade.
Ontario legislature to take 14-week break: The break comes less than two months after resuming from a 19-week summer break, a move opposition politicians call undemocratic and “crazy.”
Deal ends impasse on bills: Parliament has wrapped up for its holiday break with MPs ending a standoff over a handful of bills that they agreed could advance to the next stage toward becoming law.
Conservatives criticize Major Project Office recruitment approach: The Official Opposition called it an ethical affront that allows corporate insiders a chance to buy favourable decisions by Ottawa.
American-owned consortium in charge of Canada’s premier nuclear research facility: After a three-month delay, Nuclear Laboratory Partners of Canada Inc. has formally taken control of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, the organization that runs Chalk River Laboratories.
PEI premier resigns to seek party leadership: Rob Lantz had been the interim Progressive Conservative leader but now wants the job on a full-time basis.
On our radar
Prime Minister’s Day: Mark Carney has no public events today.
Party Leaders: No schedules released for party leaders.
Ministers on the Road: In Calgary today, Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu announced an extension to the Canada-Alberta Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement with Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides.
Quote of the Day
“There are others like Mr. Ma who I know share the kind of view I just described.” - Steven MacKinnon, Government House Leader and Transport Minister, tells a news conference in Gatineau, Que., today that there are other Conservative MPs like former Conservative Michael Ma who might cross the floor.
Question period
The United States opened its first consulate in Canada with an operation in Halifax in 1833. When did the U.S. open its first embassy here?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
Minority games are back
Welcome back to the ways of minority parliaments. They normally chug along with filibusters and phony wars, alongside conflict and brokered compromise. Until they don’t.
— Campbell Clark, Chief Political Writer
Sorry, Marc Miller, Quebec’s language debate will not be ending any time soon
Mr. Miller is not the first federal politician to challenge the political orthodoxy, according to which French is in decline in Quebec. But his most recent predecessors in his portfolio, which includes responsibility for overseeing the Official Languages Act, have known better than to provoke nationalist politicians in what has long been a losing battle.
— Konrad Yakabuski, Columnist
The line Mark Carney is walking might not be sustainable
He is nothing if not self-confident. My money says he goes in the spring.
— Andrew Coyne, Columnist
Go deeper
- Follow along for our stories on Canada-U.S. relations as news develops
- Get the latest insight and analysis from our political opinion writers
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The answer to today’s question: The first U.S. embassy in Canada was opened in 1943, when the diplomatic operation in the capital was upgraded to embassy status to promote greater co-operation during the war and in light of Canada’s increasingly independent foreign policy.