'A decisive time': Mark Carney calls new role 'an honour,' dodges questions about running for office
In his first press conference on the job, newly appointed Liberal economic growth task force chair Mark Carney said it鈥檚 鈥渁n honour鈥 to serve in his new role, but wouldn鈥檛 say whether he plans to run for political office, or whether he鈥檒l recommend changing the controversial carbon tax.
鈥淚t's an honour to accept this role as chair of this new task force on economic growth for the prime minister, for the leader,鈥 Carney said from the Liberal caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C. 鈥淚t comes at, in my view, a decisive time for our economy, for our country.鈥
鈥淓very major economy is accelerating their energy transition, and being low carbon is becoming a key driver of competitiveness,鈥 he said, adding Canada needs 鈥渞eal policies鈥 when it comes to the energy transition, international trade, and artificial intelligence.
The Liberals announced on Monday that Carney 鈥 the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England 鈥 would serve as chair of a new Leader鈥檚 Task Force on Economic Growth, with an aim to 鈥渄evelop and shape ideas for the next phase of Canada鈥檚 strategy for near- and longer-term economic growth and productivity.鈥
鈥淚f the prime minister of Canada asks me to do something, I will do it,鈥 Carney said, when asked why he鈥檚 鈥渉itching (his) wagon鈥 to a struggling party.
鈥淚 have some experience in these issues, and I'm interested in helping our country to grow,鈥 he continued. 鈥淚'm interested in doing something, not being something, and this is a decisive time for our economy.鈥
Carney has fielded speculation for more than a decade over whether he鈥檚 planning to throw his hat in the political ring.
But when asked Tuesday whether his new role 鈥 and upcoming federal byelections 鈥 mean he鈥檚 more likely to get his name on a ballot, Carney wouldn鈥檛 directly say.
鈥淚'm an outsider,鈥 Carney said. 鈥淚'm providing a perspective, gathering opinions from interested Canadians, and feeding them in.鈥
When pressed by reporters on whether he has political aspirations, Carney also said he鈥檚 鈥渢he catalyst in a much broader effort鈥 when it comes to economic issues.
Carney also sidestepped when asked for his thoughts on the controversial federal carbon pricing program, namely whether he鈥檒l 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 didn鈥檛 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 Minister鈥檚 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 minister鈥檚 support, and when asked about Carney, said at the time she speaks with him 鈥渙ften,鈥 noting he鈥檚 her son鈥檚 godfather.
When asked about Carney鈥檚 new role at the caucus retreat Tuesday, Freeland said the former central banker is 鈥渁 real addition to (the) team,鈥 and called him a longstanding personal friend.
鈥淗e's someone who I talk to often, and whom I've talked to often about economic policy since becoming finance minister,鈥 Freeland said.
Conservatives concerned about Carney
The Conservatives, meanwhile, are taking issue with Carney鈥檚 appointment.
Conservative MP Michael Barrett posted an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to social media Tuesday, calling on him to 鈥渟top shielding Mark 鈥榗arbon tax鈥 Carney from disclosure laws,鈥 and writing he is 鈥渄eeply concerned鈥 by the former central banker鈥檚 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.
鈥(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,鈥 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.
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