Mark Carney unveils his new chief of staff

Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Sunday that Marc-André Blanchard, former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations and senior executive at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), will be his chief of staff starting in July.

• Also read: Chief of Staff Marco Mendicino will remain in office “until summer”

He will succeed Marco Mendicino, whose mandate was extended until the summer by the Liberal leader.

"I am pleased to announce that Marc-André Blanchard will assume the role of Chief of Staff effective July," Carney said in a post on X.

"He is one of Canada's most accomplished jurists, leaders, senior officials and diplomats, notably as Canada's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations," he added.

The future chief of staff of the Prime Minister affirmed for his part that "responding to the call to serve [his] country is a decision [that he] welcomes with humility and enthusiasm."

Mr. Blanchard will therefore leave his position as Vice President and Head of Global Investment at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), which he has held since 2020.

“Important contribution” to the CDPQ

Following the announcement of the appointment, CDPQ management thanked Mr. Blanchard for his "significant contribution" to the public financial institution.

"Marc-André will have definitely left his mark on the CDPQ. Thanks to his leadership, we have grown from a globally active organization to a truly united and globally recognized organization," commented Charles Emond, President and CEO of the CDPQ, in a press release published Sunday.

His "ambitious approach" to the energy transition initiative is also mentioned, highlighting that the CDPQ, during his mandate, "exceeded the climate targets it had set for itself."