Former energy and natural resources minister Jonathan Wilkinson may soon be headed to Europe to spearhead Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ambition to deepen trade relationships.

After being shut out from Carney’s cabinet, despite being among his early endorsers, Wilkinson spent months considering whether to move on from federal politics, multiple sources close to him said. As he is notably not sitting on a federal committee, he would be a backbencher whose main assignment under Carney would be to be in the House at the right time to vote.

In August, Wilkinson dismissed rumours he was set to resign as MP when asked by Canada’s National Observer — but stopped short of committing to a full term as MP — suggesting he was considering a move but had not finalized it.

“I was honoured to hav

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