Carney ‘disappointed’ by U.S. ambassador’s English-only invite

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is once again criticizing a prominent Canadian business executive for failing to use both official languages — except this time, it’s a close friend he personally selected for the job of U.S. ambassador.

As first reported by Radio-Canada , Mark Wiseman, who became Canada’s top diplomat in Washington D.C. in February, sent an invitation to members of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee inviting them to a reception at the Canadian embassy on May 12.

However, the invitation was sent in English only which caused consternation among some Quebec MPs.

Speaking in Ottawa on Thursday, Carney said the situation was “unacceptable.”

“I’m disappointed. I’m disappointed in him, disappointed in his office,” he said.

Last month, Carney used similar words regarding Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau’s unilingual English video after the loss of two pilots in a tragic crash at the LaGuardia airport, including one who was a francophone living in Quebec.

“I’m very disappointed as others are, rightly so,” said Carney of the situation.

Days later, it was announced that Rousseau would retire as Air Canada CEO in the fall.

Wiseman, since his appointment, has been criticized as insensitive to Quebec because of his past affiliation with the Century Initiative, which has lobbied for mass immigration by 2100, and his criticism of supply management, which regulates dairy, poultry and eggs.

The fact that his office issued an invite to MPs in English only did not help his cause.

“Mr. Wiseman is not a wise man,” said Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in French.

“He’s insulted Quebec and now, he sends out invitations in one official language. It’s a lack of respect for the French language and it puts into question Mr. Carney’s commitment to protect the interests of Quebec and francophones in negotiations with the U.S.”

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said the least Wiseman can do is apologize for his “lack of consideration” for Quebecers and francophones in general.

The Bloc leader also offered to help the new ambassador better grasp the cultural differences in Quebec, including the French language and supply management.

“Maybe Mr. Carney is not the best person to give him such information, so I propose to do it myself,” said Blanchet, who added that his team is working on setting up a meeting with Wiseman at the earliest opportunity.

On Thursday, Carney said his government has been very clear that it intends to protect supply management and the cultural exemptions in Quebec in trade talks with the U.S.

While he reiterated his trust in his ambassador, he said he does not have the final say.

“I have tremendous respect for Mr. Wiseman, and he’s the right person for the job, because he’s very good at strategy, deals, he’s got very good contacts, including within this administration and the broader business and governmental community in the United States, which is part of the job of diplomacy,” he said.

“But he’s a diplomat, not a decider, and the decider is the Government of Canada.”

Wiseman is set to testify at a parliamentary committee Thursday afternoon.

More to come.

National Post calevesque@postmedia.com

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