Mark Carney chooses former UN ambassador Marc-André Blanchard as his chief of staff

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Sunday afternoon he's selected former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations Marc-André Blanchard as his chief of staff. Blanchard will begin the job in July, replacing former cabinet minister Marco Mendicino.

"Marc-André has a long and distinguished career as one of Canada's most accomplished builders, legal experts, executives, public servants, and diplomats including serving as Canada's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations," Carney said in a social media post.

Blanchard served as Canada's ambassador to the UN from 2016 to 2020. He currently works as executive vice-president of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, which manages public pension plans and insurance programs in the province.

He'll replace former cabinet minister Marco Mendicino, who took on the role after Carney won the Liberal leadership race in March. Sources told CBC News at the time that the former Liberal MP would be in his new role only temporarily.

Opposition parties heavily scrutinized Carney's choice to hire Mendicino at the time, both for his time in cabinet and his stance on the Middle East.

Carney said Mendicino "has my continued appreciation for his service as my Chief of Staff into the early summer, including as we introduce crucial legislation to deliver on our mandate from Canadians and prepare to host global partners at the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis."