Canada's top public servant is set to face questioning about the prime minister's complex business background as ethics concerns continue to dominate parliamentary discussions.
Key Testimony on Prime Minister's Ethics Screen
Michael Sabia, the Clerk of the Privy Council, will appear before the House of Commons ethics committee this week, where questions are expected to focus primarily on Prime Minister Mark Carney's potential conflicts of interest. The committee is formally reviewing the Conflict of Interest Act, but Carney's extensive corporate ties have become the central focus of discussions.
Sabia holds a crucial role in the administration of the prime minister's ethics protections. He is one of only two senior aides authorized to administer Carney's extensive conflict-of-interest screen, which applies to more than 100 corporate entities connected to Brookfield Asset Management, Brookfield Corporation, and Stripe Inc.
Business Background Under Scrutiny
The controversy stems from Carney's significant corporate positions before entering politics. Prior to becoming Liberal leader, Carney served as chairman of Brookfield Asset Management, a global giant with approximately US$1 trillion in assets under management. He also played a leading role in raising capital for two major Brookfield clean energy funds and served on the board of directors for Stripe Inc.
On the day he was elected Liberal leader, Carney placed all his assets except personal real estate into a blind trust. The prime minister has consistently maintained that he exceeded legal requirements, as he had 120 days from his appointment to establish such arrangements.
Political Reactions and Expert Warnings
Conservative critics argue that Carney's situation is unprecedented due to the scale of his potential conflicts. They have called for mandatory divestment of his corporate assets rather than relying solely on the blind trust and ethics screen.
However, former Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick has cautioned against requiring politicians to divest their assets. "My view is that we need more people with private-sector background in politics — not fewer," Wernick told the committee on October 27, during earlier testimony on the Conflict of Interest Act review.
The other official authorized to administer Carney's conflict screen, chief of staff Marc-André Blanchard, is scheduled to testify before the same committee Thursday afternoon, ensuring continued scrutiny of the government's ethics protocols.
