Federal bureaucrats are working behind the scenes to manage potential conflicts of interest involving Prime Minister Mark Carney’s former private business ties, senior officials confirmed this week, amid renewed scrutiny of his financial connections and past roles with major corporations.Christiane Fox, deputy clerk of the Privy Council Office, told MPs that public servants are coordinating with the Prime Minister’s Office to address any declared conflicts. “We are working very closely with the Prime Minister’s Office to manage all of the conflicts he has declared,” Fox said, without offering specifics..Blacklock's Reporter said before winning the Liberal Party leadership in January, Carney held executive roles and directorships with companies including Bloomberg L.P., Brookfield Asset Management, Goldman Sachs, Pacific Investment Management Co., and Stripe.His wife, Diana Carney, served as a senior advisor to the Eurasia Group and Terramera Inc., a federal contractor that received $3.2 million from the Department of Agriculture.Opposition MPs raised concerns about the potential for insider access during a Commons transport committee hearing on Bill C-5, which would allow cabinet to fast-track approval of industrial projects deemed in the national interest.Section 5.6 of the bill permits cabinet to “consider any factor” in such decisions..“Neither of you are aware of or have seen or know about a concrete ethical screen in place for the Prime Minister?” asked Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs.Ministers did not confirm one existed.“These things are properly done by the Ethics Commissioner,” replied Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc.Fox added that the Privy Council Office is working with the Prime Minister’s Office to operationalize conflict management, including in relation to Bill C-5..Carney chaired Brookfield Asset Management until January 16. The company is Toronto’s largest commercial landlord and owns Westinghouse Electric Canada, a federal contractor. He held nearly $10 million in stock options while in that role.Pressed by reporters in March about his financial holdings, Carney declined to provide details.“I am complying with the rules,” he said. Asked whether his assets posed any conflict, he replied, “Look inside yourself.”“I have served in the private sector. I have stood up for Canada,” Carney added. “Your line of questioning is trying to invent new rules.”
