Former natural resources minister Jonathan Wilkinson, left, and former minister of national defence and public safety Bill Blair, are being considered for diplomatic posts.The Canadian Press
Prime Minister Mark Carney is considering naming two sitting MPs to diplomatic posts as rewards for their service as former cabinet ministers and as a means to recruit fresh talent, unencumbered by the Justin Trudeau years, two sources say.
Bill Blair, a former Toronto police chief who served in several high-profile cabinet roles including National Defence and Public Safety, is being considered as high commissioner to Great Britain, the sources said.
He would replace Ralph Goodale, who held senior cabinet posts in Mr. Trudeau and Jean Chrétien’s governments. Mr. Goodale, 75, has been high commissioner since 2021.
Former natural resources minister Jonathan Wilkinson is being considered for a European ambassadorship, likely Germany or Belgium, the sources said.
The Globe and Mail is not identifying the sources who were not allowed to publicly discuss internal government deliberations about replacing long-serving MPs.
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Mr. Blair and Mr. Wilkinson were considered competent ministers but were overlooked by Mr. Carney when he named a new cabinet in May after winning a comfortable minority government.
There are no indications on the timing of the ambassadorial appointments, as the government and Liberal Party will need to find candidates that can not only win the two by-elections that would result, but step up to take on cabinet jobs.
The sources said the Prime Minister wants to bring in new high-profile talent when he shuffles his cabinet, which could happen as early as December. The current cabinet is largely made up of former Trudeau ministers.
The early election call that came almost immediately after Mr. Carney won the Liberal leadership made it difficult to recruit new candidates.
The two former ministers represent ridings that are considered safe for the Liberals if by-elections were called. Mr. Blair represents the Toronto riding of Scarborough Southwest and Mr. Wilkinson holds the riding of North Vancouver–Capilano.
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Mr. Blair and Mr. Wilkinson did not immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment.
Mr. Carney, who has moved the Liberal Party to the political centre with a pro-business agenda, has tried to distance himself from the high-spending Trudeau years.
There has been speculation that former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland might also be interested in a diplomatic posting as ambassador to the United Nations. The UN ambassadorship is currently held by former Liberal MP Bob Rae, 77, who was appointed to the role in 2020.
However, one of the sources said that Ms. Freeland, now serving as Transport Minister, does not appear to be interested in a diplomatic posting at this time.
Certain ambassadorial posts, such as the United States, Britain and France, are sought-after appointments.
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The Globe reported in June that Canadian financier Mark Wiseman, a close friend of the Prime Minister, and former Quebec premier Jean Charest were possible replacements for Kirsten Hillman, Ottawa’s envoy to Washington.
Because of the complicated trade negotiations with President Donald Trump’s administration, Mr. Carney asked Ms. Hillman to remain in Washington and take on the added role of chief negotiator in the tense trade and security talks.
Many Liberals and observers had expected after the election that the Prime Minister would replace Ms. Hillman, who has served in the Washington embassy since 2017, including six years as ambassador.
Three sources told The Globe that Mr. Carney is impressed with Ms. Hillman’s skills as a diplomat, strategic thinker and hard-nosed negotiator. Ms. Hillman has agreed to serve for at least another year but not for an extended period of time, the sources said.
The Globe is not identifying the sources who were not authorized to publicly discuss these matters.