Liberal leadership contender and former governor of the Bank of Canada, Mark Carney, revealed on Sunday that former Prime Minister Stephen Harper approached him in 2012 to become his finance minister.
During an interview on Rosemary Barton Live, Carney addressed inquiries regarding his recent entry into politics, despite having been mentioned in Liberal discussions for several years.
“I have received offers in the past,” Carney explained to host Rosemary Barton. “For instance, Prime Minister Harper asked me if I would serve as his finance minister in 2012.”
The former central banker stated that it “wasn’t appropriate” for him to accept the offer, as he believed moving directly from being a governor to running for office was not right.
From February 2008 to June 2013, Carney served as the governor of the Bank of Canada, during which he worked with former Conservative finance minister Jim Flaherty—who was part of Harper’s cabinet when this alleged offer was made.
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This is the first instance where Carney has publicly discussed an offer from former Prime Minister Harper.
In response, Harper’s former communications director, Dimitri Soudas, stated to CBC News that “Mark Carney is not presenting the complete narrative, and Prime Minister Harper does not support Mr. Carney in any capacity.”
CBC News has contacted Harper for a comment via his consulting firm, Harper & Associates.
Carney’s remarks follow a series of exchanges on social media between Liberals and Conservatives regarding his role in managing Canada’s response to the 2008 global financial crisis.
Recently, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s wife, Anaida Poilievre, criticized Carney online, asserting that he was “claiming the legacy of a man who has since passed”—a reference to Flaherty, who passed away in 2014.
Former Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty worked with former Prime Minister Stephen Harper during the 2008 global financial crisis. Flaherty passed away in 2014 at the age of 64. (Blair Gable/Reuters)
“I served in the Harper government and witnessed the remarkable leadership of Mr. Flaherty and Mr. Harper as they navigated Canada through one of its most challenging economic times,” Poilievre stated. “What’s happening now is not only misleading—it’s appalling.”
Chisholm Pothier, who served as Flaherty’s deputy chief of staff and director of communications, defended Carney in a social media post.
“Oh please. I was there, and Carney was instrumental,” Pothier remarked. “While Flaherty and Harper provided the crucial political leadership, Carney contributed significantly with his insights and wise monetary policy.”
“Attempting to erase that for partisan purposes is, frankly, disgraceful and matches your hyperbole,” Pothier replied to Anaida Poilievre.
In mid-January, Liberal MP Maninder Sidhu shared a video on social media highlighting Carney’s contributions during the 2008 crisis. The video included a clip of Flaherty stating, “Mark has been a superb governor at the Bank of Canada for more than five years.”
Just two days later, Soudas responded by claiming that two individuals directed Canada’s handling of the 2008 financial crisis—Flaherty and Harper—and added that “bureaucrats did not lead the response; they followed the elected government’s guidance.”
Carney and the Liberals
Going back to 2012, the Liberal Party has made several attempts to include Carney in political affairs, even encouraging him to resign from his role as Bank of Canada governor to compete in the leadership race that ultimately brought Justin Trudeau to power.
During that time, various social media platforms supported a “draft Carney” initiative on Facebook and Twitter, although Carney never pursued a leadership bid.
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Carney’s assertion on Sunday, suggesting it felt inappropriate to transition from his central bank position to a political role, reflects sentiments expressed back in 2012 when he was considering a Liberal leadership run, as reported by the Globe and Mail.
Ultimately, Carney went on to become the governor of the Bank of England. At the press conference announcing his new role, Carney dismissed the notion that he would leave the Bank of Canada to seek the Liberal leadership.
