We have a conflict of interest regime in this country that was set up so that Canadians know what interests an individual who is a designated public office holder has. Conflict of interest screens should then be set up or divestitures can be taken. However, in the case of Mark “carbon tax” Carney, we don't know. We don't have the full picture of what his holdings and financial interests are.
He's advising the Prime Minister. I understand he's going to be holding cross-country pre-budget consultations, and he's been hired by the Liberal Party. The only reason that can be inferred from this is that it is to avoid the conflict of interest regime.
Even this past week, we had an announcement from the government of a $2.14-billion loan to a company called Telesat, just days after Mr. Carney was given this new job advising the Prime Minister. Mr. Carney is a personal friend of the head of that company and has a financial interest in it. Again, this is information that Canadians need to know.
We have advocated—I have advocated—for the government to bring in Mr. Carney, have him sworn in as a public office holder and have him be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act, so that Canadians know.
Look, I wouldn't pick Mr. Carney to advise me, but that's a choice they've made. They're the government. That's their purview. However, the manner in which this has been done appears to be to subvert the conflict of interest regime. There are specific provisions in the act with respect to ministerial advisers. How do we know what the framework is for Mr. Carney's employment, his interactions with ministers and his interactions with the Prime Minister, versus his interactions with the Prime Minister who is also the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada?
It's about transparency. It's about clarity. We have some information through public, open sources about the interests of Mr. Carney, but we need the full picture. It's important for Canadians to get a good understanding of that. The best way to do it would be to have a conversation with Mr. Carney.