In his first press conference on the job, newly appointed Liberal economic growth task force chair Mark Carney said itās āan honourā to serve in his new role, but wouldnāt say whether he plans to run for political office, or whether heāll recommend changing the controversial carbon tax.
āIt's an honour to accept this role as chair of this new task force on economic growth for the prime minister, for the leader,ā Carney said from the Liberal caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C. āIt comes at, in my view, a decisive time for our economy, for our country.ā
āEvery major economy is accelerating their energy transition, and being low carbon is becoming a key driver of competitiveness,ā he said, adding Canada needs āreal policiesā when it comes to the energy transition, international trade, and artificial intelligence.
The Liberals announced on Monday that Carney ā the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England ā would serve as chair of a new Leaderās Task Force on Economic Growth, with an aim to ādevelop and shape ideas for the next phase of Canadaās strategy for near- and longer-term economic growth and productivity.ā
āIf the prime minister of Canada asks me to do something, I will do it,ā Carney said, when asked why heās āhitching (his) wagonā to a struggling party.
āI have some experience in these issues, and I'm interested in helping our country to grow,ā he continued. āI'm interested in doing something, not being something, and this is a decisive time for our economy.ā
Carney has fielded speculation for more than a decade over whether heās planning to throw his hat in the political ring.
But when asked Tuesday whether his new role ā and upcoming federal byelections ā mean heās more likely to get his name on a ballot, Carney wouldnāt directly say.
āI'm an outsider,ā Carney said. āI'm providing a perspective, gathering opinions from interested Canadians, and feeding them in.ā
When pressed by reporters on whether he has political aspirations, Carney also said heās āthe catalyst in a much broader effortā when it comes to economic issues.
Carney also sidestepped when asked for his thoughts on the controversial federal carbon pricing program, namely whether heāll recommend the government make changes to the policy.
While he emphasized the importance of moving toward low carbon when it comes to creating jobs, being competitive, and in trade negotiations, Carney didnāt comment on the carbon tax program specifically.
The Globe and Mail reported early in the summer that there was tension between Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and the Prime Ministerās Office, and there was ensuing speculation Carney could be tapped to replace her in some capacity.
But Freeland maintained she felt she had the prime ministerās support, and when asked about Carney, said at the time she speaks with him āoften,ā noting heās her sonās godfather.
When asked about Carneyās new role at the caucus retreat Tuesday, Freeland said the former central banker is āa real addition to (the) team,ā and called him a longstanding personal friend.
āHe's someone who I talk to often, and whom I've talked to often about economic policy since becoming finance minister,ā Freeland said.
Conservatives concerned about Carney
The Conservatives, meanwhile, are taking issue with Carneyās appointment.
Conservative MP Michael Barrett posted an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to social media Tuesday, calling on him to āstop shielding Mark ācarbon taxā Carney from disclosure laws,ā and writing he is ādeeply concernedā by the former central bankerās appointment as special advisor to the Liberals, rather than to the prime minister.
Carney is employed by the party. Barrett wants the Liberals give Carney an official government job, so he is subject to the disclosure rules, as politicians and public servants are.
ā(It) is a deceitful attempt to shield Mr. Carney, your new de facto Finance Minister, from any public disclosure of which multinational corporations are paying him, and what conflicts of interest might exist between his private financial interests and the advice he is giving you,ā the open letter reads.
Carney also works as the head of transition investing for Brookfield Asset Management, and as a United Nations special envoy on climate action and finance, among other board positions.
