Foreign Affairs Committee on April 23rd, 2026

[Mark Wiseman]

I was obviously not part of the discussions that Canada had in putting CUSMA in place in 2019 and 2020, so I can't comment about whether we're going down a similar path. I think that Canada, as I said before, is ready, willing and able to commence the review process.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Thank you very much.

Are you briefed on the strategy of the government? Is that something that comes up in your regular conversations?

[Mark Wiseman]

You can assume that since my job as ambassador is to represent Canada in the U.S., it requires me to be briefed on the strategies and policies of the Government of Canada.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Right, so your choice here today is not that you don't know the strategy but that you won't confirm it for us. Is that correct?

[Mark Wiseman]

I'm not in a position to get into the details of Canada's strategy, as that is ministerial advice.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

However, you can understand how a dispassionate observer would perhaps conclude, based on stories in the media, that there is a go-slow strategy being implemented?

[Mark Wiseman]

As I've said very clearly, we are ready, willing and able to commence the review of CUSMA.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Thank you very much.

There was a recent poll. Are you concerned that 55% of Canadians believe that getting rid of CUSMA would have a neutral impact or even be beneficial to Canada?

[Mark Wiseman]

The Government of Canada believes in the value of the CUSMA. We believe in the value that it brings to Canada. We believe in the value that it brings to North America. It is our view that the economic benefits of CUSMA are substantial to all Canadians.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Do you think there's a responsibility for parliamentarians, public leaders and business leaders in this country to make the case that this is an important relationship that ought to be maintained?

[Mark Wiseman]

You would have seen the announcement by the Government of Canada, by the Prime Minister's Office, of the appointment of the new advisory committee on Canada-U.S. economic relations. I think part of that council's mandate is to get information from Canadians and Canadian business, labour and other leaders, and also to transmit—

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Then yes, you think it's an important relationship to maintain.

[Mark Wiseman]

I think the relationship with Canadian stakeholders is critically important.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Perhaps, as a further question on this, do you think it is irresponsible for politicians, for pundits, for columnists, for leaders in this country to fuel anti-American sentiment? Does that make your job difficult when you're engaging with our American counterparts?

[Mark Wiseman]

How I feel about that is not really what's at issue.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Does it make your job difficult?

[Mark Wiseman]

My job is to represent Canada in the United States. Sometimes that's difficult. Sometimes it's less difficult.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Do you think it's helpful that there are some who would like to fuel anti-American sentiment in the country?

[Mark Wiseman]

My job is to carry out the interests of Canada. Whether things are helpful, unhelpful, good or bad, I have to carry out the same duties.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

You still have 25 seconds.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

I'll just ask whether you regret that the work at the Century Initiative was misused by this government to grow the population by 3.5% for multiple years in a row.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

I don't think that has anything to do with the mandate of the ambassador, which is the point of this hearing. If we could stick to that, I would appreciate it.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

I think that's a pretty reasonable question. I mean, he has to build relationships with his American counterparts, and he was promoting open borders.

I just asked if he regretted that the work was misused by the government. I think it was a fair question.

Thank you, Mr. Wiseman.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you.

Next, we have Anita Vandenbeld.

You have five minutes.