Prime Minister Mark Carney has created a new diplomatic position to the European Union in order to boost trade, economic security and the fight against climate change, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said Wednesday.
The new position of Personal Representative of the Prime Minister to the EU will be held by former clerk of the Privy Council John Hannaford.
Fromer Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion is currently the ambassador to both France and Monaco and serves as Canada's envoy to the EU and to Europe.
A spokesperson for the PMO told CBC News that the title of Dion's envoy role to the EU and Europe is being changed to reflect Hannaford's new position and mandate as the personal representative of the prime minister to the EU.
The spokesperson said that the change "reflects the very high priority we put on Canada's bilateral relationship with the EU and our desire to significantly expand and deepen that relationship."
"With his extensive experience in developing and strengthening many of Canada's most impactful relationships throughout the world, John Hannaford will help elevate our partnerships, bolster our shared security and create major new economic opportunities to empower Canadian workers and grow our businesses," Carney said in a statement.
Hannaford comes to the position after having served at the deputy minister level in the Departments of International Trade and Natural Resources. he also served as the ambassador to Norway from 2009 to 2012, and as a defence policy adviser to the prime minister.
The PMO said in a statement that Dion will be "completing his diplomatic responsibilities" in France, Monaco and Brussels in January after having helped to strengthen Canada-EU relations "at a critical moment for Canada's leadership with new reliable global partners."