Carney vows to implement conflict-of-interest measures to abstain from making decisions regarding former companies.

March 19, 2025 TruthUSA

Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed to collaborating with Canada’s ethics commissioner to establish conflict-of-interest “screens” that would allow him to step back from decisions concerning companies he previously worked for.

Carney, who previously chaired investment firm Brookfield Asset Management, stated that he is moving quickly to create these guidelines in conjunction with Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein.

“If there is a decision that will significantly impact Brookfield, then I will certainly recuse myself,” Carney informed reporters on March 18 in Iqaluit.

Carney drew a parallel between his situation and that of former Prime Minister Paul Martin, who owned the shipping company Canada Steamship Lines.

He explained, “There are discussions with the ethics commissioner about specific screens for certain issues, and this process is currently underway.”

Carney did not disclose the companies that would be affected by the conflict-of-interest screens. As a former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, Carney also held positions as chair of the board for Bloomberg L.P., board member of Stripe Inc., and advisory board member for PIMCO.

During a press conference on March 18, Conservative MP and Ethics Critic Michael Barrett raised concerns about whether Carney would need to excuse himself from government discussions involving energy, the environment, industry, and tax policy, given that Brookfield Investments is connected to all those areas.

Barrett referenced the case of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s chief of staff Nigel Wright, who had to completely withdraw from certain discussions due to his prior private sector work. Barrett stated, “Wright was a staffer following the guidance of elected officials. As prime minister, Carney is the ultimate decision-maker.”

Additionally, the Conservatives have criticized Carney for not revealing the details of the assets placed in a blind trust when he assumed office as prime minister. Carney emphasized that he had followed the ethics commissioner’s regulations well before they were mandatory.

Ethics rules stipulate that public office holders must disclose their assets to the ethics commissioner within 60 days of taking office, with the commissioner potentially releasing a summary of the details within 120 days.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has expressed concerns about a perceived “loophole” in the act that could allow Carney to govern for years while benefiting personally at the expense of Canadians. Poilievre has pledged to amend the Conflict of Interest Act to require elected officials to disclose financial assets before taking office.

In response to Poilievre’s criticisms, Carney’s campaign previously indicated to The Epoch Times that he would exceed all relevant ethics regulations if he were to become prime minister.

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