By The Canadian Press

Janice Charette to be Canada’s top trade negotiator during CUSMA review

Feb 16, 2026 | 8:29 AM

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney has chosen Janice Charette, the former head of the public service, to serve as the country’s chief trade negotiator to the United States.

Charette is a career bureaucrat who twice served as clerk of the Privy Council and once as high commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Her appointment comes just ahead of a major review of the North American free-trade pact, known as the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.

It also comes a day after Mark Wiseman, a global investment banker and pension fund manager, took the reins as Canada’s next ambassador to Washington.

Canada’s last ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, recently stepped down so a fresh team could be assembled to take on the review of the trade pact.

Snowfall and blowing snow

Special weather statement issued for central Alberta

18h ago

113 Local agencies supported

Community Foundation of Central Alberta distributes $1.9 Million in Grants in 2025

Feb 14, 2026

Safety precations

Red Deer RCMP gives safety tips for winter activities during Family Day weekend

Feb 14, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has slammed Canada with tariffs in key sectors over the past year and is expected to adopt a hardball approach during the coming CUSMA review.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 16, 2026.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press