Matt Jeneroux Joins Carney on Trade Trip to India, Australia and Japan as Special Advisor

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney is embarking on a trade mission to India, Australia and Japan with Liberal MP Matt Jeneroux, a recent defector from the Conservative party, in the newly created role of “special advisor on economic and security partnerships.” The trip, scheduled from Thursday to March 7, aims to bolster economic ties and identify investment opportunities for Canada.

From Conservative to Liberal: Jeneroux’s Shift

Jeneroux, the MP for Edmonton Riverbend, crossed the floor from the Conservatives to the Liberals last week, a move that surprised many, especially given his earlier contemplation of leaving politics altogether . He was appointed to the special advisor position by Prime Minister Carney upon making the switch.

Trip Details and Delegation

The delegation will visit Mumbai and New Delhi in India, Sydney and Canberra in Australia, and Tokyo, Japan. Alongside Jeneroux, Defence Minister David McGuinty will accompany the Prime Minister for the entirety of the trip .

An expanded delegation, including Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, will join Carney for the India leg of the tour . Champagne will continue on to Australia with Carney, Jeneroux, and McGuinty.

Political Reactions and Context

The timing of Jeneroux’s inclusion on the trip has drawn criticism from the Conservative party. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer questioned Jeneroux’s priorities, noting his previous statements about needing to focus on family .

International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu defended the decision, stating that Jeneroux brings “value to the team” and his assistance is welcome .

Jeneroux is the third Conservative MP to join the Liberal caucus in recent months, following Chris d’Entremont in November and Michael Ma in December . Ma accompanied Carney on a previous trip to Beijing and Qatar shortly after crossing the floor.

Carney’s Indo-Pacific Strategy

The Liberal government, under Prime Minister Carney, has prioritized reducing Canada’s economic reliance on the United States. This trip to the Indo-Pacific region is a key component of that strategy, focusing on trade and building partnerships . Carney is scheduled to address both houses of the Australian Parliament, the first Canadian prime minister to do so in nearly 20 years.