QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Appointment of Financial Adviser
September 18, 2024
Senator Gold, yesterday, I asked you about “Carbon Tax Carney” and your government’s actions to shield him from ethics and conflict of interest laws. I specifically asked you about his conflict of interest between his new role as Justin Trudeau’s financial adviser and his role as chair of Brookfield Asset Management.
You stood here in this chamber and tried to lecture me for even asking such a question. You stood here and tried to lecture us about what you called his exemplary career serving Canadians, Senator Gold. At the very same time you were doing that, “Carbon Tax Carney” was securing $10 billion of taxpayers’ funds from the Trudeau government for Brookfield Asset Management to oversee a new equity fund, a fund that would also put them in charge of Canada’s pensions. Seriously, Senator Gold, you guys don’t have enough problems with ethics violations already? And will you take the time to, at least, edit the answer to my question from yesterday out of respect for Canadian taxpayers and for this institution?
Senator, thank you for your question and for once again giving me the opportunity to say the following: It’s fairly rich coming from you. I was not lecturing you yesterday. I was bemoaning the fact that important issues of public policy are so wrapped up — dare I say, sometimes obscured — in such partisan rhetoric and, frankly, such disrespectful tones toward people who have served and are continuing to serve Canadians. It is not a lecture. Perhaps it falls on deaf ears, senator, but, no, I will not edit my remarks from yesterday nor any that I am making now.
Senator Gold, what I am bemoaning is the fact that “Carbon Tax Carney” wasted no time using his new gig with Justin Trudeau to start lining his pockets with taxpayer money, putting his own firm in charge of $10 billion of Canadians’ tax dollars, and he wants to make Canadians’ pensions pay him as well. This isn’t exemplary service to Canadians. This is using Canadians as a personal slush fund with zero accountability. How much does “Carbon Tax Carney” stand to make personally from this hustle, Senator Gold? How much? Give us the number of what he is going to make off Canadian taxpayers.
I will not dignify that question, nor the way in which you describe Mr. Carney, with an answer. It is really regrettable. We deserve better in this chamber, and Canadians deserve better.
