Former premier P.J. Akeeagok named to Carney’s Canada-U.S. economic council

Updated April 21 at 5 p.m. ET

Former Nunavut premier P.J. Akeeagok has been named to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations.

Carney announced the formation of the committee and its 24 appointed members Tuesday in a news release.

The committee, the release said, will serve as a forum for expertise and strategy on all aspects of the Canada-U.S. economic relationship.

The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is up for review July 1.

U.S. President Donald Trump helped negotiate the trade agreement in 2019, during his first term in office. Right after taking office again in 2025, he launched a trade war against Canada and Mexico by implementing steep tariffs on a range of goods not covered by CUSMA.

The tariffs have put a strain on Canada-U.S. relations, with Canada implementing retaliatory tariffs and several provinces and territories removing U.S. alcohol from store shelves. Carney has also been working to diversify Canada’s economic partnerships by spearheading trade and security deals with the European Union, India and China.

“Canada is approaching its economic relationship with the United States with focus, discipline, and unity,” Carney said in Tuesday’s news release.

Akeeagok was Nunavut’s premier from 2021 to 2025. He left office after choosing not to seek re-election after one term as an MLA. After leaving office, he founded Arctic Strategies Inc., a consulting and advisory business.

Akeegok, who did not respond to interview requests for this story, said on LinkedIn he is “deeply humbled” to be appointed by Carney.

“The Arctic is essential to our national sovereignty and security. It is a cornerstone of our future,” he said.

“We have made important progress through significant investments, and I am ready to help guide the essential work that remains.”

On Carney’s committee, Akeeagok is joined by several other ex-politicians including former Quebec premier Jean Charest, former federal Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, and former MPs Lisa Raitt and Ralph Goodale.

The committee’s other members are leaders and executives from various businesses, industries and academia. It will be chaired by Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade.

The first meeting is scheduled for April 27.

Note: This story was updated to include online comments posted by P.J. Akeeagok regarding his appointment