Industry minister denies rumours she’s eying French ambassador role

Minister Joly says she is ‘absolutely not’ interested in becoming Canada’s ambassador to France amid reports she’s eyeing an exit from politics.

OTTAWA -- Canada’s industry minister is denying rumours she is considering leaving politics to become Canada’s ambassador to France.

Speaking from Tokyo, Melanie Joly told reporters Wednesday that she is not interested in the position.

“Absolutely not,” Joly said when asked about her interest in the role. “I’m focused on my job right now, which is to be the minister of industry and to fight for every single job in this country at a time of trade tensions.”

On Monday the Toronto Sun cited sources saying Joly was looking to be appointed Canada’s ambassador to France. The position is currently held by former Liberal cabinet minister Stephane Dion. He was appointed to the role by former prime minister Justin Trudeau in 2022.

“I think also what is really important is I have a very strong sense of duty towards my country, and I’m very much aware that we have to be able to engage with the private sector and also with governments,” Joly said. “Two of my expertise, which is business and at the same time geopolitics, are actually very useful for Canada right now.”

Questions about Joly’s future come less than a week after former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland was appointed to take on a new position next summer administering the Rhodes Trust. Freeland has not announced any plans to resign as an MP, though she has said she would not run in the next election. She resigned from her role as transport and internal trade minister in September to serve as Canada’s new special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

In September, Trudeau’s former justice minister and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s former principal secretary David Lametti was named Canada’s UN Ambassador. He started the position on Nov. 17.

Sources say two other former Trudeau-era cabinet ministers also eying new careers in the diplomatic service.

Sources say Bill Blair, who served as defence minister until earlier this year, is set to replace Ralph Goodale as high commissioner to the United Kingdom. No appointment has been announced yet.

Former energy minister Jonathan Wilkinson has also reportedly been offered a post in Brussels as ambassador to the European Union, but nothing has been announced.

Both Blair and Wilkinson continue to serve as Liberal Members of Parliament.