Canadian Prime Minister appoints Exeter alumnus as Ambassador to the EU

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced his intention to appoint Exeter College alumnus and Saskatchewan Rhodes Scholar the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson (1988, PPE) as Canada’s Ambassador to the European Union. 

Mr Wilkinson brings more than three decades of experience across public policy, technology, and international economic engagement. Since entering the Canadian Parliament in 2015 as Liberal MP for North Vancouver, he has held several senior Cabinet positions, including Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. 

Prior to entering politics, Mr Wilkinson worked as a constitutional negotiator and federal-provincial relations specialist for the Province of Saskatchewan before spending more than 20 years in the private sector, including as Chief Executive Officer of several clean technology companies. He has also held senior roles in the energy and environmental technology sectors and worked at the global management consultancy Bain & Company. 

Announcing the appointment, Prime Minister Carney said: “In a dangerous and divided world, Canada and Europe are long-standing and reliable partners, becoming ever closer in trade, energy, technology, and security. With his vast experience as a minister, entrepreneur, and businessperson, Jonathan Wilkinson will drive this mission to help create greater security, prosperity, and sustainability on both sides of the Atlantic.” 

Mr Wilkinson is expected to begin his role as Ambassador to the EU at the start of the summer and Exeter College warmly congratulates him in the achievement.

Mr Wilkinson is one of two Exeter College alumni to hold senior diplomatic appointments in the Canadian government. In September 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the appointment of the Honourable David Lametti (1991, DPhil Law) as Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations. A former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Mr Lametti is an internationally recognised legal scholar and former Full Professor at McGill University’s Faculty of Law. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Law at Exeter College before entering public life and most recently served as Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.