11.98°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Apr 21, 2026 1:55 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press

Carney expected to announce new Canada–U.S. trade advisory council ahead of CUSMA review

Share On
carney-expected-to-announce-new-canada-u-s-trade-advisory-council-ahead-of-cusma-review
The federal government is expected to outline its trade priorities and consultation process in the coming months.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce a new advisory council on Canada–United States trade as the federal government prepares for the upcoming review of the continental trade pact.

According to government officials familiar with the plan, the council is being structured to inform Canada’s approach to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement review and would replace a previous advisory body created in 2025 under former prime minister Justin Trudeau.

That earlier council was established following the return of Donald Trump to the White House and amid renewed tariff threats affecting cross-border trade. It included about 20 members, among them then-ambassador Kirsten Hillman and several business leaders.

The new council is expected to play a central role in shaping Canada’s negotiating position. Dominic LeBlanc, who oversees Canada–U.S. trade relations, is anticipated to take a leading role. Canada’s chief trade negotiator to the United States, Janice Charette, is also expected to be assigned key responsibilities, alongside Privy Council Clerk Michael Sabia.

The Prime Minister’s Office has not publicly confirmed the full membership or mandate of the new council.

Latest news

See All
AlbertaApr 21, 2026

Alberta legislature to vote on motion to revisit riding boundaries ahead of 2027 election

Members of Alberta’s legislature are expected to vote today on a government motion to revisit proposed electoral boundary changes ahead of the province’s next general election in 2027. Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government has introduced the motion to reconsider a recent electoral boundaries commission report. Smith said the move follows a recommendation from the panel’s chair to examine adding more constituencies to better reflect representation in rural areas. According to statements from the premier, the government argues that population shifts and geographic consi
mexicos-president-orders-investigation-after-canadian-tourist-killed-at-teotihuacán-site
CanadaApr 21, 2026

Mexico’s president orders investigation after Canadian tourist killed at Teotihuacán site

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says authorities will investigate a shooting at the Teotihuacán pyramids that left one Canadian tourist dead and another injured. The incident occurred Monday at the historic site northeast of Mexico City, according to statements posted by federal officials. Sheinbaum said on social media the shooting “deeply pains” her government and confirmed she has been in contact with the Canadian Embassy. Details about the victims have not been fully released by Canadian officials. Mexican security officials identified the suspected gunman to The Associated Press
carney-expected-to-announce-new-canada-u-s-trade-advisory-council-ahead-of-cusma-review
CanadaApr 21, 2026

Carney expected to announce new Canada–U.S. trade advisory council ahead of CUSMA review

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce a new advisory council on Canada–United States trade as the federal government prepares for the upcoming review of the continental trade pact. According to government officials familiar with the plan, the council is being structured to inform Canada’s approach to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement review and would replace a previous advisory body created in 2025 under former prime minister Justin Trudeau. That earlier council was established following the return of Donald Trump to the White House and amid renewed tariff threats affe
surrey-police-seek-public-help-to-locate-suspect-wanted-on-assault-charge
BCApr 20, 2026

Surrey police seek public help to locate suspect wanted on assault charge

Surrey Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a man wanted in connection with an alleged assault earlier this month. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, frontline officers began investigating on April 3 at about 8:35 a.m. after a report that a man had allegedly assaulted a woman with a weapon in the 17600 block of 58A Avenue. Police said the victim sustained minor injuries. The release states that on April 4, the BC Prosecution Service approved a charge against the suspect. Jason Donald Whyte, 54, is now wanted on a province-wide warrant for one count
alberta-to-introduce-legislation-to-end-seasonal-time-changes-premier-says
AlbertaApr 20, 2026

Alberta to introduce legislation to end seasonal time changes, premier says

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province plans to eliminate twice-a-year clock changes and remain on daylight time year-round, according to comments she made to Postmedia. Smith said the change would mean Albertans would no longer set clocks forward in the spring or back in the fall, instead staying on the current time throughout the year. On a practical level, that would result in darker mornings during winter months but extended daylight in the evening. The premier indicated legislation to implement the change is expected to be introduced later this week. Details of how the transitio

Related News

Mexico’s president orders investigation after Canadian tourist killed at Teotihuacán site

Mexico’s president orders investigation after Canadian tourist killed at Teotihuacán site

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says authorities will investigate a shooting at the Teotihuacán pyramids that left one Canadian tourist dead and another injured. The incident occurred Monday at the historic site northeast of Mexico City, according to statements posted by federal officials. Sheinbaum said on social media the shooting “deeply pains” her government and confirmed she has been in contact with the Canadian Embassy. Details about the victims have not been fully released by Canadian officials. Mexican security officials identified the suspected gunman to The Associated Press
Immigration department implementing fixes after audit flags “critical weaknesses” in student visa oversight

Immigration department implementing fixes after audit flags “critical weaknesses” in student visa oversight

Canada’s immigration department is implementing an action plan after a federal audit found significant gaps in how it monitored and investigated problematic international student visas. According to a report by Auditor General Karen Hogan published earlier this year, thousands of student visa files flagged as potentially non-compliant were not fully investigated. The report identified what it described as “critical weaknesses” in oversight within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Deputy Minister Ted Gallivan, who assumed the role last month, said the department is taking step
Ottawa approves gradual increase in direct passenger, cargo flights with China

Ottawa approves gradual increase in direct passenger, cargo flights with China

The federal government says it will allow a gradual increase in direct air travel between Canada and China, expanding both passenger and cargo flight capacity after years of reduced service. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the change will permit Canadian and Chinese airlines to increase direct passenger flights and operate up to 20 cargo flights per week, with reciprocal access to destinations in both countries. The announcement follows outreach by Prime Minister Mark Carney during a visit to Beijing in January. According to a federal statement, the adjustment is intended to support t
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link