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21st November 2019

Alumnus Jonathan Wilkinson made Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed Exeter College alumnus Jonathan Wilkinson (1988, PPE) Minister of Environment and Climate Change in the Canadian Cabinet.

Mr Wilkinson entered the Canadian Parliament in 2015 as a Liberal MP for North Vancouver and was appointed to the Cabinet last year as Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.  He was sworn-in as Minister of Environment and Climate Change during the presentation of Mr Trudeau’s new cabinet, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on 20 November. In his new role he will play a major part in championing sustainability in Canada and worldwide.

Commenting afterwards, Mr Wilkinson wrote: ‘My thanks to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for entrusting me with this important role. As someone who entered politics largely as a result of the climate issue, I am honoured to be asked to take on these important challenges as Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change.’

Mr Wilkinson is one of two Exeter alumni in the Canadian Cabinet. The other, David Lametti (1991, Law), retains his position as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Commenting on Twitter Professor Lametti wrote: ‘I am proud to continue to serve in the dual role as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Since Confederation, this dual role has been central to building accountability in Government, something all Canadians expect.’

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