Prime Minister Mark Carney has made significant appointments to his inner circle, shaking up the Canadian political landscape. In a surprise announcement on Sunday, he named Marc-André Blanchard, Canada’s former ambassador to the United Nations, as his permanent Chief of Staff – a position wielding immense power within the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Adding to the significant shakeup, sources close to the PMO (who wished to remain anonymous prior to official announcements) indicate that former Attorney General David Lametti has been appointed as Carney’s Principal Secretary, the top political advisor role in the PMO.

Blanchard, who served as Canada’s permanent representative at the UN from 2016 to 2020, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Most recently, he held the position of Executive Vice-President at CDPQ Global, a prominent Quebec-based investment firm. In a statement released by the PMO, Carney lauded Blanchard’s accomplishments, calling him “one of Canada’s most accomplished builders, legal experts, executives, public servants, and diplomats.”

These appointments signal a significant shift in the PMO’s leadership and are sure to have a major impact on the direction of Canadian politics in the coming months.