Prime Minister Mark Carney has named investment banker and pension fund executive Mark Wiseman as Canada’s next ambassador to the United States, placing him at the centre of upcoming negotiations with Washington on continental trade. Wiseman is set to begin the role on Feb. 15, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Wiseman will lead Canada’s engagement with the U.S. as the countries prepare for a scheduled review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, a process expected to dominate the bilateral agenda next year. The trade review is widely seen as critical for Canadian exporters and supply chains, particularly in provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia that rely heavily on cross-border commerce.

A longtime associate of Carney, Wiseman was an early supporter of the prime minister’s leadership campaign and made financial contributions to both Carney’s bid and the Liberal Party during the last federal election. His appointment is likely to draw scrutiny from opposition parties, who have previously raised concerns about political ties in senior diplomatic postings.

Wiseman replaces Kirsten Hillman, who announced earlier this month that she would step down as ambassador. Hillman said at the time that a transition would allow a new diplomatic team to focus fully on the upcoming CUSMA review and the evolving Canada-U.S. relationship.

The incoming ambassador is also a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations, an advisory group established during Justin Trudeau’s tenure as prime minister as Donald Trump prepared to return to the White House. While Wiseman was not part of the original council, Carney added him shortly after being sworn in earlier this year.